Hawaii Day 14 Nov. 1

This day started out as a very rainy day, but the weather cooperated for us later when we needed it to. These are the Koolau Mountains, and we drove across them many times to get from Kaneohe, where we were staying, to get to the Honolulu area. These mountains have these vertical ridges and make the mountains look very interesting. Today, because, it was so rainy, almost each ridge had a waterfall. It was very awesome.

Here's a small waterfall that I captured on camera even though it was later in the day so it isn't as dramatic as it looked earlier in the day.
I barely caught this one on camera.
Today we visited Ko'olina, a fancy resort area, where, it was rumored, that Obama had plans to stay while in Hawaii for the APEC conference, Asian Pacific Economic Coalition. It is also the home of a new Disney resort, AuLani. It was a very nice area. Notice the shape of canoes on the facades.



It had an oriental decor.
Fun water slide.
Fun water park area. Patsy was very impressed.
You could rent a cabana if you wanted. We didn't.
A lazy river runs through the courtyard area.
There was a salt water aquarium with this display so you could identify fish in the aquarium and in the 4 lagoons in the area where you can do some pretty tame, but interesting, snorkeling.



Here is a map of the area and of the lagoons. While Bob snorkeled, Patsy and I walked on a very nice path that led to all of the lagoons. Each one had a special character so it was fun to see all of them.


This lagoon warned people of jellyfish.
This was a sign that showed all the warning signs and what they meant. Good information if you actually see the sign.
Nice view of a resort area.

The walk way.

After we walked, we joined Bob and did some snorkeling. We saw a turtle, a trumpet fish, and a bunch of other very unique fish. Patsy said it was better snorkeling than she had expected.

Along the roadway in the area, they were welcoming APEC.

I guess one place you have to eat in Hawaii is their rendition of fast food, Zippy's. Although spam is very popular in Hawaii, and you can get it at most fast food places, including McDonald's, only Bob tried it. Patsy and I just got normal food.

Here's Bob trying spam wrapped with rice and seaweed. There's a special name for it, but I forget what it is.

To thank Patsy's friends, Fred and Laura, for letting us use their equipment and for taking us sailing, we took them out to eat at a nice restaurant, Haleiwa Joes. The setting was a beautiful oriental garden, but it was too dark to take any pictures. I also forgot to take any pictures of our very enjoyable evening. Sometimes that happens.