Leeward Windward

Yesterday we drove til we could drive no more on 93...the Farrington Highway. Alongside the Wai'anae Mountains. To Ka'ena Point. Along the coast in the hazy rain. We had hoped to stop at the lagoons at Ko Olina. However, between the lack of parking and the impending weather we opted for a drive up the side of the island neither of us had seen.

The Leeward side sees far less rain the much of the island, leading to drier, browner mountainscapes. The towering facades are covered with sparse brush and grass as opposed to the lush fluted ripples of the koolau mountain range. Howver the sparse greenery allows you to see the volcanic rock beneath. Personally, I find the dense green ripples of the Koolau range more beautiful, but the change of scenery is a treat.

Today we headed in the opposite direction...the Windward side...towards Sandy Beach. A little sun and water and perhaps a chance to fly my kite. Well, attempt to fly my kite a least. The winds proved to strong for the little nylon dragon, and despite some helpful tips from a local homeless man we were unable to get the tiny critter airborne. Without making modification to it anyway. The little kite did try valiantly though...spiraling beautifully through the air before plummeting ground ward. Perhaps on a less windy day...

We wandered down towards the water instead and lay on the sand for a while...until the fine grit pumicing our skin finally got the better of us. Again, the winds proved to strong. But with the winds came some phenomenal waves. It was such fun just to fight into the surge and avoid getting sucked back out by the receding tide. I'm not much of one for swimming so this sort of time in the water was much more up my alley. With waves like these breaking against the shore, it's no wonder Sandy Beach has such fine powder beneath the foot.

Sometimes the best days are the unplanned ones...just jumping from one spot to the next.