Dateline: Hawaii 05/15

'morning, group. Back to the tale.

Our friendly chorus of roosters and other feathered friends woke us bright and early Saturday morning. Hubby was excited over his planned diving lesson, and I was tickled for him.

Decided that today we would time our drive into Hilo so that we would be prepared for the trip home - we needed to know how much time we had to do the house laundry (sheets have to be stowed in plastic boxes when nobody is there - clean and damp free for the next guests), drive to the dump for the last time - and fuel up the car and return it to the rental agency before heading to the airport for the prescribed two hour security check.

That done, we went over to the Dive Shop and found that Bill wanted to have his lunch first, so we wandered through the bustling downtown "Farmers" Market. Visited with an Aunty or two who delighted in telling us stories of Pele and folks who forgot themselves and took some of her rocks home - only to be besieged with terrible misfortunes until remembering the rocks and mailing them back to Hawaii. The market was great fun - we tasted some fruits we had never even heard of - and we were entertained by a lively band across the way on the waterside.

When we got back to the dive shop we discovered that we were waiting for one more person - who came an hour late. I called Ali to let her know that we might be a bit late for dinner.

The last person finally arrived and everyone was outfitted with appropriate gear and the safety video was watched. We were off to Richardson's Beach - only to find that EVERYONE and their brother had the same idea. One of the diving team reminded us that the high schools and the college all had graduations that day. We had arrived at the height of graduation party celebrations. Every beach along the road was full - and every parking lot was packed.

We found a side road with some spaces and the team got their gear out and suited up.

That's hubby waiting for the rest of the group. He said later that the walk to the beach from the car with all of that extra weight on him (tank, etc.) was extremely difficult. He doesn't look like he is having too bad of a time, though, does he?

The group pushed aside kiddie toys, and asked the kiddies to let them come down the steps into the pool there and then all got into the water and put on their flippers.

Hubby is the one at lower left - just below those flourescent green flippers. The group all headed out towards the entry to the cove and everyone had a wonderful time . . . except hubby. Well, he had a great time while it lasted, but it didn't last long for him. Seems that he had the wrong type of mask and it wouldn't seal around his mustache. The dive master has a mustache, and the right type of mask, but he didn't think to get the same type for Art. So, after about 10 minutes hubby was back beside me.

As we waited for the rest of the group to come back - they took their hour-long dive anyway - he said that was the best thing he had done so far in Hawaii. I was afraid he would be upset about it all, but that is not the case. He has already checked into continuing and getting his certification up here. AND - he says he'd like to go back to HI someday to take another dive - with the right gear.

Bill did say that he would take him out again if we ever get back there - he didn't refund the money - but he said he would take him out again. We just may hold him to that.

After the group got back and the gear was all stowed, we drove off to meet Ali's family. Sorry - no pics as I don't have permission to share them. But, the family is as lovely as Ali herself. We had a wonderful time meeting all of them and sharing gifts with them (and from them, thanks again, all). Dinner was great and the talking was lively. I hope we can do that again sometime.

(pssstt - tomorrow is Ali's birthday - shhhhh, don't tell her I told you - heh)

In the next entry I will tell you of our last days in Hawaii - and maybe share with you the tale of my first (abbreviated) swim in Hilo's waters.

Have a wonderful Saturday my friends.

Posted by Purplemoose at May 29, 2004 08:07 AM