Hawaii - days 5 & 6

Saturday
This morning started with a longish drive across the island headed to the North Shore. We motivated the kids with the promise of world class snowcones from the snowcone inventors themselves in Haleiwa.
After a quick lunch at Pizza Bob (thanks for the recommendation, Shumways) we headed to Matsumoto's with their ice cream on the bottom and sweetened condensed milk on top and every flavor you could dream of in-between.

We walked around the town looking for souvenirs and browsing surf shops. We checked out the famous surfing beaches and the cliff jumping spots. Then we moved on to the Polynesian Cultural Center.

We got there rather late, so skimmed through the villages quickly, took the canoe tour around the park, walked through one souvenir shop, and then headed over to the Luau. The park is so impressive -- well run, clean, informative, authentic, beautiful.
Dinner was yummy and the show was absolutely amazing. Totally worth it. The dancing, the costumes, the sets, the color and energy, the music, the drums, and the fire dancers - oh the fire dancers. Totally mesmerizing for everyone (except for Huck, who doesn't really find anything mesmerizing at 9pm but his bed). But honestly, we had questioned the cost and looked for discounts and some people had told us the park was boring for kids, but in the end we were really glad we'd splurged and gone there.

The ride home was rough but everyone was asleep by the time we got home.


Sunday
Several people told us about the big Aloha Bowl swap meet that happens every weekend, so on one of our last days we headed there looking for more souvenirs. All the kids wishes came true with...

these crazy sunglasses

a blowing conch shell
(that Oliver's actually learned how to do pretty well with instructions from his trumpet-playing father)

and a mini Ukelele

Scott also got a beautiful Nice Ukelele made of Hawaiian Koa wood in a guy's garage here on Oahu.

After the swap meet we enjoyed some delicious southern barbeque at Dixie Grill (thanks for the recommendation, Tanners) and then headed back to the house for some fun in the sun.

Scott & the boys did some boogie boarding

June finally was willing to put her feet in the water

Huck took a dip

And I remembered how much I love body surfing -- especially when the water is warm and clear, and the bottom is smooth and sandy. What a thrill to feel that wave curling under you and be propelled forward at top speeds. Well ok the waves aren't really that big here, but it is still really fun to get back out there after years of California beaches had pretty much convinced me I didn't really like swimming in the ocean anymore.

June is serious about her sandcastle building

Huck really loves the sand too. I kept trying to put him on a towel to play nicely, but he didn't want that. He loves the water too -- sitting in the surf and yelling at the waves as they'd come and go.


Sadly we're heading home tomorrow.

Aloha