Hawaii - Day 1

I'm limiting myself to posting 10 photos from our first day in Hawaii.Why the limit? Well, because, I want to get out there and take more!Here they are:The day began when our friend Sam came to pick us up to take us on an Island tour. Sam lived here when he was younger and, being the surfer that he is, has come back here..well...LOTS! We couldn't have a better tour guide.After a quick breakfast stop, Sam drove West (I think...my sense of direction is a bit off here). To then head North as our tour around the island began. (I'd like to let my friend Marlene know we had that we were playing her favorite Hawaiian radio station in the car)I love that, aside from the glorious beaches, there are dramatic mountains and cliffs to see on the island too.Oh, and pineapple fields:Little known fact about Pops is that he's an Eagle Scout and in 1964 came to Hawaii to work at the Pupukea boyscout camp. Sam drove us up there so Pops could reminisce and give us a tour.Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE turtles?? If not, the answer is A LOT!Sam stopped along the roadside at a stretch of beach where it's known that large turtles come to rest. And...This is the daddy of the clan. He's about 35-40 years old. He's also a vegetarian!! (there was a woman there who works at protecting them and provided us with all this knowledge.)Seeing him has to be one of the highlights of my life - and to be so close!! Doesn't he look like he's sleeping soundly. We could see some of the rest of his crew rolling around behind him in the waves.After that, we stopped at the beach break Pipeline (where the big wave riders go). There's not a huge swell right now, but the waves looked big enough to me.and, of course, there were some surfers out.Here's the board listing Pipeline Masters Champions:We headed a bit further down the coast to Sunset beach for a dip.The water felt amazing - what a delight.When we got back to our room for a bit of a rest before dinner, Pops couldn't resist making (and feeding) his new friends. He had them eating out of his hands...literally:So, there it is some highlights from day 1.much, much more to come!Aloha,~ Lita