Beach day in paradise

The morning sun is shining in the cloudless sky, the perfect day for a hang-loose at the beach!

We want to go to Hanauma Bay, where the conditions for swimming and snorkeling are said to be particularly good. It is also a well-equipped bay park that promises a relaxed day. So much for the theory, because it turns out that the park is closed on Tuesday for a day off!!! So we continue driving with the prospect of the spectacular coastline and mountains. We stop at one of the many viewpoints and ask a policewoman if she can recommend something. The lady is very nice and willingly gives information. Waikiki Beach should already be perfect for swimming. It is, but we want to see and try something different. I ask about Sandy Beach, because the guidebook says it's great for advanced surfers, but not suitable for swimming. She confirms this and says that if you go into the water, you have to be careful, because the current created by the powerful shore breakers is strong enough to prevent you from returning to the beach.

The beach is just around the corner, there are not many people there, and it looks picturesque. So we make ourselves comfortable in the sand - with sufficient distance to the water, because occasionally there are unpredictable waves crashing.

The water is pleasantly cool and refreshing, but after the first steps, you can already feel the power of the waves! It's almost impossible to stay on your feet. The further you go in, the better it gets, but in the back of your mind, you always have the red warning light because of the undertow. But it's so much fun! I do a somersault right away during my first dip, because a breaker just takes me with it. Now I have an intensive inhalation with saltwater and sand in every crevice :-)

At the beach, we watch the bodyboarders and surfers who are really giving their all. There are some whales further out, you can see their water spouts and fins!

At one of the mobile food stands, we get a delicious snack and cold water. And later a shaved ice, very refreshing!

In the late afternoon, we continue along the coastal road, with the waterline on the right, sometimes with sandy beaches, sometimes with spectacular lava formations that the waves crash against. On the left are the steep and green mountains, somehow unreal.

We pass Waimanalo Bay, another beautiful beach, an Air Force Station, and a polo club, then we turn inland and drive through the mountains back to Honolulu.

The day ends with an intense shower (the sand just doesn't want to come off...), a delicious dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, and a bit of shopping. This time we don't leave the Harley store and we also get something at Pandora :-). By now it's dark and we treat ourselves to a daiquiri at the beach bar of the Sheraton Resort, with live music and the sound of the waves. The sky is pitch black, the stars are sparkling. The backdrop of Waikiki Beach looks like a movie, beautiful, kitschy somehow, unreal.

Tomorrow we will fly to Kaua'i. This island is only about 45 minutes away from Honolulu by plane and is said to be very original. For the Hawaiians, it is THE Hawaii, with many sacred places and enchanting nature (even more enchanting!!).

We are excited to see what awaits us! Oáhu is giving its all for the farewell, the sun is shining from the cloudless sky, no rainy season :-)))