Aloha and Ahui Hou to the Harveys!

The last Harvey day was the absolute epitome of life in paradise. The sun was high and bright, the trade winds were ever so slight, they sky was picturesque, and the water was warm. We scrambled to get all three children, four adults, and all of our beach gear packed up for an early morning drive to the North Shore. We pulled into Waimea Bay Beach Park and slid into two empty spots, just as the lot filled up.

Waimea Bay is one of the top white sand beaches in the world. Our family loves Waimea more than any other beach on Oahu. It is never crowded on the sand, though the parking lot gives a different impression. The lot is on the smaller side, though. In the summer, the waters are super calm and flat, like glass. In the winter, this is the place to be. It looks completely different, with waves as high as 30 feet, and the inshore break can be up to 12 feet. Waimea Bay is a filming location for LOST and also home to the Quicksilver competition in the winter. The surf is amazing and dangerous, and also sadly, fatal. The Harveys last saw Waimea Bay when the surf was up. This time, they had a completely different experience.

We sat on the beach for just a few minutes. The water was too inviting. Since the bay has a remarkably strong under tow at the shore we swam a little farther out for calmer water.

A few guys were paddle surfing the width of the bay. Paddle surfing dates back to early Polynesia, with Hawaiian roots. The boards used are slightly different than regular surf boards. They are longer, may have more fins, have padded decks, and concave hulls. Remember what happened when we saw a paddle surfer the other day?

There was a second attempt.

We swam and enjoyed the island's warmth until the minutes on the clock ran out. Just to give you a closer look at the bay:

Right before we left, J slipped matching sarongs on herself and on little A. They were too cute!! Hawaiian sarongs are fringed on the ends, with bright colors, and usually have animals or plant prints.

We stopped in Hale'iwa (pronounced Ha-Lee-Ee-vah) for lunch. J had asked us previously about that teriyaki cheese fries place that I blog so much about. A guilty smile spread across my face when she asked, with a spatter of pleasure. Another diet cheating day!!!! It was a Grass Skirt Grill day! I have never actually shown you what this place looks like. Our favorite seats are at the far left, outside. That's where the two tables are with the longest benches. The door to the restaurant is at the extreme right. The owner of Grass Skirt Grill owns Strong Current, the surf shop next door, too. All seven of us had teriyaki cheese fries, to prove to y'all we are good parents. We devoured our cheeseburgers with 1/2 an avocado roosted on top. The kids feasted on chicken strips, but they all wanted teriyaki cheese fries!
After lunch the Harveys stopped by the Dole Plantation for a pineapple whip. J had been dreaming of one the moment she stepped off the plane. They are so wonderfully unique, we usually buy them, too, each time we ride the Dole Plantation train. And Son1 knows. He reminds us of their existence. But no pineapple whips today for the Farmers! We hurried home, lest Son2 take a mini nap in the car, and then skip his afternoon nap entirely.

The kids napped, and J and I ran out the door for some last minute shopping. She knew exactly what to buy. Some of the last things she picked up were Hawaiian Island Tea packages. These are specialty teas blended with all-natural ingredients and exotic tropical fruit flavors. The teas are so fragrant and flavorful. This is a Have to Have item if you are a tea drinker!!

We returned home, and had our last supper together, well, at least for 2008.

The Harveys loaded all of their belongings in their car, we walked them outside, and bid them Aloha Ahui Hou! (Aloha Ah-who-ee Ho!) This means, goodbye, until we meet again. It is a beautiful way to say goodbye in Hawaii. It's never really good bye. And yes, there were tears, but only for one little boy. In the 3 1/2 years we have lived in Hawaii, Son1 has cried only twice at guest goodbyes. And both times were for the Harveys. That says something.