Aloha and Mahalo!!

Oh Boy! We had quite a day again today. We started out by going to Ko Olina Resort. I found some parking just outside the marina parking lot that didn't cost anything. SCORE! We walked through the parking lot that would have cost us $10. It wasn't that far either. If we had taken the shuttle it would have cost $40.
Once we got inside they gave us some chips and a drink. After a little more time they divided us up into 2 boats. I'm going to say right now, we got assigned the right boat.
We left our shoes on shore and we were off. Our captain, Mark, took us to see some dolphins. They were sooooo cool. We even saw a baby one. CUTE! Mark new how to play with them and make them follow us. He got them to play in the wake. They would swim, jump, flip. It was so much fun. Mattina Ann would have loved it. So would the boys.
After playing with the dolphins, we went up shore and got in to snorkel. Of course there were tons of fish. They were nice. Aaron and I even snorkeled over to 2 turtles that got rather close. They were on the water catching some air and then swimming again. They were so neat. Before we even got in the water our crew member put baby shampoo on our lenses. This was so they wouldn't fog up. It was nice to learn this trick.
After snorkeling some we went North on the West coast again. We had to watch out for the military out in the ocean. The other boat got caught by them but we didn't. We found a spot where we could get in the water, slowly, hold still, and swim with the dolphins. AWESOME!!!! One day you'll be able to do this Mattina Ann. :) They got kind of close. It was neat. I couldn't count how many there were. There were 2 baby dophins again. It was AWESOME!! The only bad thing was, our battery for the camera had died at this point. Oh, but what a memory.
We then took the boat South down the shore. We stopped at a place that pipes pump out warm water. Aaron and I both were cold there though. Anyway, some people fed the fish there. Aaron and I just snorkeled and enjoyed the experience. I saw several beautiful Angel fish that were yellow, black and white. Big too. Aaron saw a fish he really liked that was yellow, purple, and turquoise. There were so many fish. What a great experience. On the boat ride back Aaron and I spotted another turtle just off from the boat. WOW!
When we got back to shore we had a nice lunch provided by the Ko Olina Adventures people. It was good. Especially since we were starving. During lunch I listened to some people from the other boat talking and found that they didn't have a photographer on board, didn't see turtles, and didn't swim with dolphins. We were definatly on the right boat.
So after this great time out on the boat, we changed our clothes in the car, Aaron did my hair in the wind, and we went down the street to the Paradise Cove Luau. This is one of the top 3 Luau's on the island. We'll go to another top luau on Tuesday.
We started by getting a shell lei. Nice. Then we found our seats for dinner. We were then set free to explore the games and activities. We started out with the Cataran ride. Just Aaron and I and the guide went out. The guide asked where we were from. After we told him Utah he asked if we were LDS? That's the first time we were asked that after telling them we're from Utah. He was LDS too he just called himself a "Jack Mormon". When we got out though and said Mahalo he said he'd see us at church on Sunday. Kind of fun.
We then went and made some palm leave crowns. They are easy, and so pretty. We also learned how to make lei's. We made bracelets though. All flowers go on the left if married and right if not married.
We then played 2 Hawaiian games. The first you roll a lava rock between 2 sticks. Then you slide a short poll between the 2 sticks. I had no problems with this. Aaron missed the rock though. At this game we got another shell lei. Then we moved to the spear throwing game. I hit the target but didn't get it to stick. Aaron did really well and hit the target too. At the end of this game we got another shell lei.
We then went and took some pictures of ourselves and each other. We had a nice place and backdrops so they turned out nice. Then we started to hear a conche shell being blown. We found that more activities were happening where this was being blown. They were teaching men how to tie and wear a Seraong. I made sure Aaron was watching. Then they did a hula lesson and wanted volunteers. I volunteered Aaron and I. It was a lot of fun. I hope to write all the directions down soon so we don't forget it.
They then gave a coconut instruction on how to open it. That was fascinating to watch. I almost volunteered to drink the coconut milk but wasn't fast enough. We then moved on to another hula dance. After we watched a "cousin" climb a coconut tree. He went way high. That is where they did the "Shower of Flowers". Fun. We then went onto the beach where we watched the "Hukilau Ceremony". We watched them throw the nets out and watched "cousins" dance.
We then went and redeemed one of our drink vouchers. We got Pina Colada's, virgin of course. They were good. We drank them while watching the "Imu Ceremony." This is where they pulled the pig out of the ground. It smelled SOOO good. We took a picture with the queen and king of the night and then went to our seats. When we got our food, (buffet style) I got way too much food. It was so good though. We had fish, kahlua pork, rice, rolls, salad, SA had lomi salmon, Aaron had Poi and fried chicken, and then we had dessert. White and chocolate cake, 2 pieces of delicious pineapple, and the white jellotin yummy stuff. I told you I had too much food, but it was so good.
The luau dancing started then. At one point they celebrated love and those who wanted to dance could. Aaron couldn't get me out of my seat fast enough. It was nice to dance on the beach under a full moon. Very Romantic.
After more luau dancing and the fire warrior, saddly enough the night was over. We drove back to our hotel and didn't have a parking place. The guy at the front desk found us a place to park and told us he'd put it in a real parking place when one opened up. Aaron was really relieve about that.
What a long day. We were gone from 9:45 until 10:15. It was a fabulous day and we'd do it again. But for now, ALOHA!
PS. Hawaiian's believe that everybody is family, or "Cousin".

Our Day 5 Activities:


Dolphins!


Green Sea Turtles:


Shower of Flowers:


Aloha!