Morning Adventure at Cockroach Cove, Halona Blowhole, Afternoon at Waikiki

Good swimming spots are a dime a dozen on the mainland, but some of the ones on Oahu offer adventures the likes of which only Disney can provide. A visit to Cockroach Cove is one such adventure. The first thing that hints to what lies ahead is the yellow sign stating not to climb over the wall. Well, we didn't, we went around it. Climbing down the steep rocky embankment, my daughter, Suzanne, and I reached the bottom, no worse for the wear, and set out our beach towels on the small, sandy beach surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs.

As the turbulent ocean waters crashed against the rocks with a ferocity New Englanders see only after a hurricane passes our coastline, the residual waves broke onto the shoreline uprooting and churning the sand in its wake. As I dutifully read the assigned chapters for my class, I kept an eye on the foaming waves, a bit wary, but at the same time hoping for some large ones as I knew we were due for incoming swells to arrive. I watched as a few swimmers braved the waters, bobbing up and down as the waves rolled on by.

Suzanne was first to test it out, sauntering into the white water while the waves broke around her. Finally up to her neck, she began to pop up and down as each swell carried her like a roller coaster. Thinking this looked like fun, I decided to follow. The force of the exiting wave pulled at my legs as I walked into the surf, so I quickly moved into deeper water. I began bobbing around as if I were inside of a large washing machine. As I paddled, I tried to stay clear of the massive rock walls on the sides of the cove. I happened to catch a glimpse of a sea turtle swimming alongside me. As the big waves curled one after another, the little turtle swam through, avoiding the rocks jutting out just under the surface.

Finally, after treading water until my arms had had enough, Suzanne and I decided it was time to head back up the cliff. When we arrived at the top, we walked over to the Hanoma Blowhole overlook. The Hanoma Blowhole reminds one of a whale's blowhole in that the water rushes in underneath the rocks, and spurts out of the top in a 20 - 30 foot spray. As the waves approach the lava rock shoreline, they enter underwater tunnels that lead to the blowhole with a force that jettisons the water high into the air. It's really quite amazing to watch, as each occurrence changes with the amount of force in the wave that causes it. Old Faithful couldn't be more exciting than this!

Later in the day, Suzanne, Sarah, Debbie, and I drove into Honolulu to do some gift shopping. Strolling along Waikiki Beach is a unique experience, to say the least. On one side is the beautiful beach with the waves rolling in, lined with tall, lush palm trees, fountains, and bronze statues. Beach front stores and hotels occupy the other side, while tourists and local folk travel up and down the sidewalks. It is common to see surfers of all ages walking along with their surfboards tucked under their arms, or businessmen in their colorful aloha shirts. Waikiki is a study in culture and diversity, as people from every corner of the world arrive on these shores to enjoy all that Hawaii has to offer. It is not like any other place I've ever been to, and that is one of the things that I appreciate and love about this island.