Aloha Amigos...still on the North Shore, Oahu, HI.

Aloha,

Sunday afternoon on the North shore... we are worn out from walking, beaching, swimming and ledge jumping!!  No ledge jumping for me...  too many teenage boys to weave through to get to the edge... thats my excuse anyway.  I'll post pictures of Steve and Caitlin jumping off the ledge.  Caitlin shamed all the adults and older kids who were standing up there too scaredy to jump!

Yep, that's Caitlin mid jump!

Earlier we spent the morning walking and swimming albeit very briefly at the Waimea Falls.  The walk through the very well looked after gardens in the valley was worth it but the pretty small pool at the bottom of the falls (the pictures are a little more exciting than it is + $37 for 3 of us to go in).  Special mention has to go to the over zealous lifeguard(s), they told me off as Estella was about 3ft away from me... not in the water... not even near the water but sitting down with a life jacket on... it was weird.  They wouldn't let Caitlin hop in without a life jacket -13+ you have to be.  I could dive in and be across the other side in about 4 seconds.  We know America is a litigious society but at this place they are OTT... made it uncomfortable ... no problems, off to the beach again!   Worth a look around the beautiful gardens but if you have seen any waterfalls or swimming holes in Australia you would be disappointed.  Don't prioritise the falls but if you love nice gardens the mile walk in is worth it.

But the beaches.... I'm not so much a beach person but even I haven't resisted being on the beach everyday since we have been here.  I have never seen such great snorkelling off the beach and I've sat on a few beaches!  Turtles everywhere... apparently you can go to jail if you hurt a turtle here and as a result they cruise in the shallows and surf the waves... its a beautiful sight.  It's difficult to explain the north shore but there is no where too fancy looking, the best mexican I have ever had was out of a van on the beach, chooks weirdly wander everywhere, parking is a nightmare, the weather is pretty much perfect day and night!

I'd like to come back, rent a place directly on the beach with a few mates and just chill out.  Snorkel, do nothing, snorkel, drink beer, have a snooze, eat, drink beer, go for a swim... the next day would be much the same - I'm sure you get the picture.  You'd have to toss a coin about who gets in the car to go get more beer and food but at $20 for a carton of Corona you can be the big spender!

The most stress, and I wouldn't exactly call it stress is looking for a place to stay at our next location.  I read that the key to happiness at disneyland is a good strategy therefore I am going 'Walt' and doing some more planning.

So, any good ideas for the next 5 weeks based on the following places and datelines would be appreciated.

California (we have plans for LA for at least five days.. except a hotel which I will try to finalise by tomorrow) so cruising out of LA from about the 13th August to 26th August around really a 500 kms radius I guess...
Nawlins aka New Orleans 26th August - 3 September
New York (and maybe east Canada) 3 September - 18th September
Then...Europe for 8 weeks... I can't think that far ahead but will take all advice given as I haven't been back there since AD (after darlings... or demons...).

Maholo.

XXOO
Rachel