Saturday, July 7, 2012

Kalapaki Beach

Kalapaki Beach at sunset
We are staying on the east side of the island in the city of Lihue. Across the street from where we were staying, is the best beach on the east side called Kalapaki Beach. This beach is popular because it is surrounded by a bay, which makes it good for swimming, surfing and paddle boarding. The water is very warm, and  the sand is very soft with no rocks. Many people walk their dogs and run along the beach. After swimming, Miriam would go for a run while I did some gymnastics on the sand.  After exercising, we were really hot and would jump into the cool water. This beach has beautiful views and mountains. On one side of the beach, the waves are a little bigger which makes it better for surfing. 


On one side of the beach is a small stream that flows into the ocean. It looked very small and calm and should have been easy to cross. We decided to try to cross it to get to the beach instead of going all around. I was the first to try to get across, but it wasn't as easy as it looked. When I first stepped into the stream, it pulled me in and my shoes flew into the ocean. As I was trying to fish out my shoes, I got all wet. My sisters and mom, didn't learn from my example and had the same thing happened to them. When we finally crossed, all our towels were all wet since we all got pulled in. 


We would spend all day at the beach starting from early morning until it was dark. There were many people paddle boarding, and we decided to try it too. We got one board that would fit 2 people, one adult with one child. Miriam and I took turns going on the board with my mom. We started on our knees until we were able to get our balance. Then I slowly stood up. It was hard at first but then when I got my balance it was easier. One time,  my mom and I tried to stand up at the same time.  The board turned a little sideways, and I fell into the water. Then I got back up onto the board, and we decided to take turns standing up. What made paddle boarding difficult was that the waves would make the board go up and down, and it was hard to stand. Also, the wind would blow the board into the wrong direction. I really liked paddle boarding and maybe I can try it again sometime. 


Kauai has many different beautiful birds.  While we were sitting at the beach, I spotted a Red Crested Cardinal that came over to eat some food that it found. It was my favorite bird on the island. 







Red Crested Cardinal


Do you like to go to the beach?
What do you do there?

11 comments:

  1. Dear Sarah,

    As always, I enjoy reading your posts and Miriam's posts. As I was following along with your Hawaiian vacation, it reminded me of so many places and things that I saw. For example, I saw a a red-crested cardinal! Mr. Yollis took the photo with his good camera and zoom lens.

    We looked at renting paddle boards, but never did. Perhaps we will next time. It looks like a great way to get out on the water, yet exercise too! Instead, we rented surfboards! It was very difficult to catch a wave. Sometimes, Mr. Yollis would walk out to my board and give me a good shove when a wave was coming. That way, I got enough momentum to catch the wave. Often, I did not have enough upper body strength to paddle and catch a wave. We had a great time trying it!

    Which island will you go to next year? :-)

    Aloha!

    Your former teacher,
    Mrs. Y♥llis

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Mrs. Yollis,

      Thank you so much for leaving me such a lovely comment! I can't believe you tried surf boarding. I think surf boarding is harder because you have to zigzag on the wave and you have no paddles. Miriam and I like to boogie board at the beach.

      I really liked the Mr Yollis' photo of the red crested cardinal. I like that he took a really close shot and I could see all the details really well. Our camera doesn't have a large lens, and I was scared that if I got too close to the bird, it would fly away.

      We haven't been to Oahu or to Maui. My mom likes hiking and nature so that is why we first visited the Big Island and Kauai. Which islands in Hawaii did you visit? Which was your favorite?

      Sincerely,
      Sarah

      Delete
  2. Dear Sarah,
    As always a wonderful post and pictures.
    I enjoy reading about your trip and learn from your experience.
    I think you could stay even longer on the island but not sure about your parents, I think you had more fun than them.
    Love you,
    Grandma Tanya and Grandpa Eugene

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Grandma Tanya and Grandpa Eugene,

      Thank you so much for leaving me such a lovely comment. I really appreciate all of the wonderful comments you always leave on my blog. I thought the trip was also a little too long. It would have been nice to be able to go to another island as well.

      Do you want to visit Hawaii?

      From,
      Sarah

      Delete
  3. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dear Sarah !

    You told us the interesting story about
    one day rest with your family in Hawaii.
    After reading and watching your wonderful
    pictures we can imagine and feel the same
    as you did.
    Hope you*ll continue teaching us.

    Love you
    Grandma Mila and grandpa Isay

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Grandma Mila and grandpa Isay,

      Thank you so much for leaving me such a lovely. I am going to do many more posts for you to look at.

      I hope you visit again.

      Sincerely,
      Sarah

      Delete
  5. Aloha Sarah,
    You are having some exciting times in Hawaii. I'm glad you've had the opportunity to see that our islands are very unique and different from one another.
    Have you thought about taking your posts and pictures and possibly making a book?
    A hui hou!
    Mrs. Jacobs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Mrs. Jacobs,

      Thank you so much for leaving me such a lovely comment! I appreciate all of the wonderful comments you always leave on my blog.

      That is a good idea of making my posts and pictures into a book. Maybe next year we can visit Oahu and be able to meet you.

      Sincerely,
      Sarah

      Delete
  6. Dear Sarah,

    It seems, from your description, your vacation has been more of an adventure that relaxing. Even your board experiences sound like fun even though you and your mom fell off.

    I looked up photos of Kalapaki Beach on the internet. It is a very beautiful location. Its protected bay, sandy beach, warmth and water, it seems ideal for fun loving people.

    Your questions...

    Do I like to go to the beach?
    There are beaches within walking distance of my house in Australia. As it is winter here at this time, few surfers and swimmers are to be found but, as we approach summer, the number of people on the beaches increase. We even have a large surfing, sailboarding carnival here each year.

    What do I do there?
    For me, its not so much swimming, when I go to the beach I like to walk along the water's edge and feel the waves against my legs. I also do photography for Special Nippers (Nippers are children not yet old enough to become surf lifeguards). The beaches are close but I also like walking in the national parks in my area, including one walk of six miles along the rocky coastline.

    I hope you enjoy the remainder of your vacation. :)

    @RossMannell
    Teacher, NSW, Australia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear RossMannell,

      Thank you so much for leaving me such a lovely and long comment! I always learn so much from them. I appreciate all of the wonderful comments you always leave on my blog.

      Miriam is in the junior lifeguard program as well, which is probably similar to Nippers. One day at Junior lifeguard, there were jelly fish. Luckily Miriam didn't get stung, but another girl got stung on her neck. Next year, I am also going to try for Junior lifeguard. Hopefully I will make it. I will have to try out and be able to swim 100 meters in 1 minute and 50 seconds.

      Is the water cold in the summer in Australia? Are there beautiful fish like in Hawaii?


      Sincerely,
      Sarah

      Delete

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