We decided to take 2 days off on our own in Waikiki, a very different type of place than Kailua and honestly can't compare. Waikiki is lovely, or at least the coastline and vast ocean views are lovely. The bustling tourists, endless shops, and crowded restaurants are less alluring. But we had a good day yesterday.

We started our day in search of the perfect smoothie and I think we found it at the Hawaiian Crown Plantation shop, where all the smoothies are made with plants from their own farm. I actually had an acai bowl which was amazing ("Sorry, Lanikai Juice!") Instead of granola, they had toasted crushed macadamia nuts and cacao nibs on top, and even on the very bottom - yum! Well, the supposed benefits of acai must of have taken hold, because 20 minutes later, I said to Jonathan. "I think I'm going to go surfing right now." We were right by the beach anyway, and though I didn't have a towel, I did have my suit and rash guard. Perfect!

I was a little nervous, but paid my $10 for the hour (what a deal!), grabbed their largest non-learner board which was a 10 footer and kissed my husband farewell. I paddled out until my arms felt like they were going to fall off and sat up on my board (like riding a horse) to wait for some great waves. I'll make a long story short here. I think I made at least 15 attempts to get up with some waves but failed pretty miserably. You have to be in the right spot to catch the right part of the wave, especially as a beginner. You have to paddle while on your belly to keep up with the wave a bit so it can get beneath you and take you along. You have to learn not to hesitate but be ready to turn and lie flat and paddle at the slightest suggestion of a good wave. And every time you attempt to stand and fall, you have turn and paddle back out against some big waves. It's a crazy awesome workout. Finally at the end of my hour, a man who was helping a boy learn took pity on my. "Come on over here, honey. I'll give you a push." How "Aloha" of him :) He set me up, gave me a shove as the wave came rushing behind me and I had no trouble standing and rode that wave all the way in to the shore. I was glad that I'm at the point where I can basically get up any time I have a little help and excited that I did it on a non-learner board. But, I'm ready to head out again tomorrow and take another crack at it. I think the difficulty of surfing is something that draws me to it as well as the physical nature of the sport. It's definitely a full body experience. My bruises and lacerations are evidence of that. Jonathan has agreed to join me tomorrow in the water so we can sort of coach and help each other. I can't waiti!!

Last night as we were walking back to our hotel after dinner, and I was getting so excited watching the waves. Sometimes, two waves sort of come in to meet each other and as the white breaks over the waves they almost explode in the middle. It was sort of cool to watch in the dark. Jonathan turned to me and said "You really love the water. I mean, I knew you liked it, but you really love it, even just being near it." I think he's on to something :)

Hopebench