I’ve been totally failing at updating this recently, I know, I know. So let’s see…

The weekend before last was a trip to the Papakōlea Beach, which is more commonly referred to as Green Sands Beach. It’s all the way by the southern tip of the island, so it was a pretty long drive over there, and an even longer walk. Only four wheel drive cars can actually drive to the beach, so we had to get out and walk 2.5 miles through the desert to get there (And another 2.5 back). Despite the fact that my shoes and clothes are now permanently stained orange, it was so worth it!!! It was beautiful and amazing and just awesome to be at a beach with green sand. And the beach is literally in the middle of nowhere, so it was just us UHH students and a few other people there.

Hike through the desert.

Green Sands Beach

On the beach.

Then the other day my roomies and I went to Richardson’s Beach. While we were swimming in the ocean, there were two honu (sea turtles) swimming a few feet away. So one of the lifeguard’s actually brought one of the turtles over to us and we got to pet it!!! The turtle just kinda hung out with us for a few minutes, and it made me really happy. =) They might be my new favorite animal.

And then this past Saturday Tara and I wanted to go to the farmer’s market (loveee going there!), but the buses weren’t running into downtown because there was a block party at night that they were setting up for… so the roads were closed. So we got out on Banyan Drive (There are banyan trees everywhere! They are soo cool!), which is a ways away from the farmer’s market. So we ended up making a few stops in between. First we went to Coconut Island, which is a tiny island right off the coast.

And we saw some sea turtle swimming in the water. So we stopped and watched them for a while.

Tara and I then walked through Liliu’okalani Gardens, which was very nice.

We also stopped by the bayfront so that I could get ‘ili’ili rocks for one of my classes… don’t ask. lol.

So then we ate at a fun Mexican Restaurant because we were starving by this point, and then we finally made it to the farmer’s market (yay!) and got some lychee and rambutan.

Then at night we went to Ho’olaule’a, which is the block party in downtown. There were two stages with bands playing music and lots of vendors, and it was fun. We also finally got shave ice, which is something you have to try while you’re here, and it was great.

Until next time,

Aloha.