Fun in the Sun

Today was a fantastic day! Once again, I got up early. *sigh* It was definitely worth it, though! Jessica drove up to my house so we could see if the Eddie surfing competition "would go" or not. Well, it turned out that they called it off, but we decided to pack up and go anyway. The traffic was...well, insane but to be expected. Even though it was called off tons of people showed up. Tons! Parking at Waimea Bay is sparse anyway. Throw in a surfing competition and you've got madness. Where there is usually a park area, there were cars, trucks, tents and news crews. Crazy. I am so glad we went though. Each time the surf gets to about 15-20 foot waves, I say that I want to go just to see. Every time I find some reason not to go. Not today!! It was so, so worth it! 

We started out at what I call the "turtle beach." Jessica was so excited about the waves (who am I kidding, I was excited too!) that she had to pull over so we could get out and take pictures.

After lots of traffic and paying $10 for parking (which is good, believe it or not), we finally made it to Waimea. The waves were fantastic! The reason they called off the competition is because the waves weren't coming in like they wanted them to. We'd get a set of HUGE waves and then there would be nothing for at least 5 minutes. Not good enough for these guys. There were still a bunch of surfers out there - competition or not. 

Ha. Like anyone in their right minds would be out there anyway.

Other than surfers. =P

See that arrow? It's pointing to a helicopter.

All the surfers waiting for the perfect wave.

Ginormous waves. 

And stupid pink hat chick with her friend. Grrr.

I heart this photo.

Aren't they huge?!

Note again the helicopter. It's not actually that close to the water.

That's how TALL the waves were.

Yeah.

The sun finally came out!

I had no idea this guy was in my photo until I uploaded it

I still think it's good, though. Lol!

Shaka Jessica!

Just me. =)

We stopped again on our way for lunch and I caught this photo.

Gorgeous, right? I foresee a new computer background. =)

After watching the huge waves and talented surfers, we headed to Haleiwa for lunch. We ate at the Mexican & Seafood restaurant which I can't remember the actual name of right now. I know it's an odd combination, but it worked out well for us because I don't like seafood! Yeah, it's odd living basically at the beach and not eating seafood....I just can't do it. I've tried. Really. I do eat fish on rare occasions...like once a year. =P Anyway, she got a seafood dish that I can't possibly spell and I got Mexican (carne asada quesadilla, if you must know)!

After our very yummy lunch, we stopped at a few shops and then headed to get shave ice. =) Shave ice is like the best thing ever! If you ever come to Hawaii (and you should!), you have to get shave ice from Matsumoto's in Haleiwa. It is uh-maze-ing. Seriously. And you should get it with ice cream. When you get to the ice cream in the bottom that's been partially flavored by the shave ice it is a yummy goodness. =) Not good for you at all but it's wonderful. If you're on vacation then I think you're allowed to break your diet. 

Then we hopped back in the car and Jessica brought me back to my house where I proceeded to die plant myself on the couch for like 2 hours. I knew I needed a shower since I'd been in the sun all day...and at the beach. There's something about sand, sunscreen and sun that just makes me want a shower. But, I didn't get off my butt for a while. =P When I did, I was surprised by what I saw in the mirror.

Noooooo! Not a sunburn!!!

So sad. I knew, I knew I should have taken sunscreen with me. But I didn't. I did borrow Jessica's, but SPF 15 doesn't cut it on this sister. In my defense, it was slightly cloudy and raining when we left my house and they've been calling for rain so I assumed that I'd be ok. Well, we all know what happens when you assume... *sigh* I had a feeling I was getting burned. I sort of felt it at the beach. Then we were walking around Haleiwa and I could feel it. All you "whiteys" know what I'm talking about. You can feel when you're getting burned. But at this point there wasn't much I could do about it. I had no idea it would be that bad though. 

Me and my after sun lotion with aloe vera are going to be best buds again for a few days. *sigh* At least I keep it in the house, though! Living in Hawaii, that stuff is basically a staple. Joe and I are both super white and prone to sunburns. It's a must. =)

I'm looking forward to tomorrow, even though it's going to be another early morning. We (Jessica and I) are hoping to hit up Pearl Harbor tomorrow. Even though I've been here for nearly a year (*GASP*), I still haven't been. Major FAIL for this history chick. Joe and I meant to go before he deployed, then when he was on R&R... Melissa and I meant to go. And I'm pretty sure my BIL wanted to go while he was here last May. Let's face it, I'm not going to go by myself. So, I'm hoping I get to go tomorrow. Though I'm sure I'll be in tears during the tour. Things take on a deeper meaning as an Army wife. =)

Just so y'all can get an idea of what Waimea was like on a normal day and then today, I'll share two more photos. =)

Normal Day

(December 12, 2010)

Today

(January 20, 2011)

What do you think? Big difference? ;-)