Hanauma Bay
I haven't set foot on Hanauma Bay since July 20th, the same day Melissa, Minh and I met Howie for the first time on the Diamond Head trail. Yesterday, armed and eager with my new snorkel gear, Sarah and I took the #22 bus to the front entrance of the bay. Always pleasant news to someone on a tight budget we discovered that there is no entrance for Kama'aina (Hawaii residents) =)
The trolley charges 50 cents to descend and $1 to return swimmers to the top of the steep, paved, hill that leads to the beach. Many tired, sunburned tourists carrying backpacks and rental snorkel equipment opt for the ride up the hill but Sarah and I walked both ways.
Putting the fins on is the most difficult part of the equipment ensemble. Should I stand on one leg in the water trying to keep balance against the waves like a flamingo? Or should I plop down on the beach and then try to waddle into the water? I, personally, choose the plop and waddle while Sarah opts for the one-legged approach.
Swimming with the snorkel and mask is much less tiring than swimming unaided because you don't have to support the weight of your head out of the water. If ever I was thrown overboard on a ship at sea, I could survive a long time with my snorkel gear because all you have to do is float effortlessly and breathe through your mouth. Since I breathe through my mouth when I'm sleeping, I could probably sleep on the water as well =)
Floating around the coral and fish is true freedom. My body weightless, I glide with my arms at my side and my fins push me through the water but I have no doubts that the ocean is really in charge. Swimming against the current is hard work.
Nightmares of ocean disasters invaded my sleep last night - I dreamed I was swept away by a fierce current; that a giant wave crashed on me and smashed me headfirst into the coral; that large, sharp-toothed sharks circled around me hungrily.
The trolley charges 50 cents to descend and $1 to return swimmers to the top of the steep, paved, hill that leads to the beach. Many tired, sunburned tourists carrying backpacks and rental snorkel equipment opt for the ride up the hill but Sarah and I walked both ways.
Putting the fins on is the most difficult part of the equipment ensemble. Should I stand on one leg in the water trying to keep balance against the waves like a flamingo? Or should I plop down on the beach and then try to waddle into the water? I, personally, choose the plop and waddle while Sarah opts for the one-legged approach.
Swimming with the snorkel and mask is much less tiring than swimming unaided because you don't have to support the weight of your head out of the water. If ever I was thrown overboard on a ship at sea, I could survive a long time with my snorkel gear because all you have to do is float effortlessly and breathe through your mouth. Since I breathe through my mouth when I'm sleeping, I could probably sleep on the water as well =)
Floating around the coral and fish is true freedom. My body weightless, I glide with my arms at my side and my fins push me through the water but I have no doubts that the ocean is really in charge. Swimming against the current is hard work.
Nightmares of ocean disasters invaded my sleep last night - I dreamed I was swept away by a fierce current; that a giant wave crashed on me and smashed me headfirst into the coral; that large, sharp-toothed sharks circled around me hungrily.