East Island with Mainland Friends...

A few of my mainland friends were visiting recently.  The Zallas and Smess were great company to have on the island.  We had planned to spend the day snorkeling on the east side of Oahu.  Unfortunately, mother nature threw us a curve ball and the swells were too large, so the beach was closed.  We decided to do some sightseeing around that part of the island instead.

Halona Blowhole doing its normal thing.

Action shot: Eric gives the Halona Blowhole two thumbs up.  Kelly is trying to use Eric as a shield from the chilly wind.  Smess just giggles for the picture as usual, and Dave is in full tour guide mode: taking the picture in stride as he heads to the car to drive us to the next stop.

The crew balancing on the lava rocks above the Spitting Cave of Portlock

We had some time to kill, since we were going whale watching tour later in the day (it's the next post), so we found a little park with a calm beach.  The ladies decided to read their books in the park, while Dave and Eric ventured out to attempt snorkeling in the shallow reef.  Thus, I decided to entertain myself by taking pictures.

Smess and Kelly reading in the park.

Eric and Dave doing their best 'Jesus-walk-on-water' impersonation 
Umm...I don't think you're doing that whole 'snorkeling thing' correctly.

There ya' go!  Face in the water!

I watched the man on the left swim out with his spear fishing equipment.  He swam back in a few minutes later.  He said he saw a couple sharks when he arrived in deeper waters, so he decided not to continue.  When you spear fish, you attach the speared fish to a line that floats with you.  The dead fish can become shark bait.  Should I have been worried that Dave and Eric where out snorkeling with the sharks?  No, they were fine, sharks really don't like the taste of people (that is a scientific fact).  I didn't tell the girls because they would have worried.

This poor little Hawaiian boy just couldn't hold onto his balloon   His Dad finally tied it to him with caution tape after having to run and catch it three times.  The boy seemed even happier with the new set up.

There were a bunch of white birds at the park.  Fortunately I found one that tolerated me following him around.  This bird is a Cattle Egret.  They are indigenous to Europe and Asia.  They get their name because they tend to hang around cattle and other large grass feeding animals to eat insects and bugs.  You often see them just sitting right on top of the cows when you pass the local ranches (yes, Hawai'i has ranches).

"What?  You lookin' at me?"

Oh calm down.  Don't get your feathers all ruffled up.