Honolulu Zoo

While Aaron was on duty I went to check out the Honolulu Zoo.

There were a few animals that were out, happy to have their pictures taken.

But were a lot of animals fast asleep too.

Snoozling.

Napping.

Passed out.

Or just ignoring me in general.

Catamaran and more turtles

Before we left for Hawaii, Aaron started checking Groupon and Living Social for deals. One he got was for a catamaran ride out to go snorkeling.

The catamaran took us out to a spot called Turtle Canyon, where the turtles like to hang out.

They like to float around and let the fish clean them off.

There were lots of Black Triggerfish - hmuhumu'ele'ele, swimming around and seemed to be the ones cleaning the turtles.

There is one giant fish.

The ride back to the marina was the best part. We sat up front.

Relaxing.

Snorkeling in Hanauma Bay

I have never been snorkeling before, but this seemed like a good time to try it. We bought gear at the NEX and practiced in the pool one evening. Everyone said one of the best spots is Hanauma Bay so that's where we went. Lots of reefs and fish.

Unfortunately the batteries ran out in my underwater camera so I got a few pics of us snorkeling around.

And then two pictures of fish.

We bought a neat fish identification book you can take in the water - I think these are Convict Tang aka Manini.

This might be a Ladyfish/awa'aua.

And that is it for the fish pictures. We saw a lot more fish... butterfly fish. parrot fish... each more amazing than the last. But no pictures... we just had to look with our eyeballs, the old fashioned way.

Waikiki Aquarium

I have been planning outings to keep busy while Aaron is on duty.

I stopped in at the Waikiki Aquarium to check out the fish.

Nemo!

Whenever I see an animal that spends a lot of time stretched out napping, I think... PUG!

Hawaii Lookouts

If we see a sign that says "LOOKOUT" we pull over. These are the kind of views you get.

This one was in Pupukea near the Pu'u O Mahuka Heiau on the North Shore.

It was just the right time of day for photos.

This is from Makapuu Lookout on the South East side. I think they call it the Windward side.

Using the tilt/shift mode.

Breathtaking!

And this is the Halona Blowhole.

"Thousands of years ago, molten lava tubes from volcanic eruptions formed the Halona Blowhole. Today, this spectacular natural formation on South Shore Oahu wows its audiences when crashing waves push through the lava tubes, causing water to spray as high as 30 feet into the air."

Googling and sightseeing

While we were out for a holoholo (aimless drive... like a Sunday drive) I noticed we were near a temple ruin called Pu'u O Mahuka Heiau.

Turns out it is a sacred place where chiefs wives gave birth and maybe even sacrifices were made.

Only these stone walls remain but they enclose an area the size of two football fields. They say not to sit, stand, move or even touch the rocks!

As we walked around the outside I started to notice small red rocks wrapped in leaves placed on the wall.

Sometimes there would be huge clusters of them. I was so curious I googled it.

Turns out they are left by tourists that misinterpreted locals using rocks to hold down actual offerings. So they make nice photos, but are meaningless - possibly even offensive.

By the time we walked the entire way around and returned to our car, there was a bunch of bananas and a pineapple sitting on the wall. A more appropriate offering?

Turtle beach

I know I have been saying this about everything - but seeing turtles was high on my list for Hawaii! After many suggestions and looking online, it seemed the best turtle viewing spot would be Laniakea Beach which has the nickname, Turtle Beach.

This beach did not disapoint! There were three sleepy turtles sunning themselves on the sand. This one is a female, named "Iron Maiden".

(It is with this post that I am realizing I am getting such amazing photos, that they should be bigger on my blog! I am extending the width of my photos to 600 pixels.)

I was happy to see there were voluneers there from a turtle protection group keeping watch over the turtles so no one does anything inappropriate. Like the signs says "Show turtles aloha!"

These two were named Brutus and Kulihi.

Aaron said they were working on their tan.

They looked sooooo sleepy.

This eye opening and head lift was all the activity we saw.

I loved seeing these guys up close!

They are kind of like pugs with shells.