Three Down 3 to Go

We started off day 3 with a sunrise hike along Fisherman's trail

It was really cool to go down in the rocks where we found some pieces of coral to bring home

and look into the some of the tide pools

the waves coming in and out of all the rocks were so neat

Lanai is more of a desert paradise. Besides the grounds of the resort and the beach front it mostly looks like this

It has it's own beauty that we have been thoroughly enjoying

But not the tropical paradise that you usually think of when you envision Hawaii. Until about 1993 a lot of the island was used by Dole for pineapple plantation. It was just recently sold to someone else and they are anticipating a boost in growth of businesses and residences because of it.

This is my favorite flower here on the island. It grows on a tree and they fall all over the ground. I always pick one up to put in my hair when we walk by.

On our way back from the hike we cut through the golf course and found this big guy hanging out.

After the hike we did some more of this and enjoyed lunch with another incredible view 

After lunch we went down to the beach and did some of this...

...and this. We actually did venture out into the water to do some more snorkeling and didn't take to camera. We figured we already got pictures of that and it's better safe on the beach. We ended up seeing some awesome things on the reef including being right in the middle of a giant school of fish. They just let us float right in the middle like we were one of the group. It was awesome and a little disconcerting. I kept waiting for one to nibble on my toes.

At one point the waves got really big and there were some guys out in the water getting hammered and loving it 

Reed watched for a while, but then couldn't stand being left out and finally went and joined in the fun

The pictures don't quite do it justice. The waves got huge!

Someone else built this cool sand castle, but we wanted a picture to show the boys. At VA Beach we don't think we could build one this big, the sand is too coarse. 

We ended the day with a sunset hike to sweetheart rock

More really cool tide pools. They looked like glass mirrors inset into the rock.

And wild life

Sweetheart rock is in the one right over Reed's shoulder. We hiked all along a ridge and up to the cliff right over my shoulder.

There were lots of amazing views as the sun sank lower in the sky.

Here we are at our destination with the sunset in the background

And here is the sunset just as we were getting back to the beach

Then to the hot tub to soothe our aching muscles. Between hiking in the morning, snorkeling in the afternoon and another hike that evening, we were a little tired. But it was another perfect day.

Today we are planning on sitting on the beach this morning, back into Lanai city for lunch at a highly recommended restaurant, more beach sitting, and finally a sunset cruise and dinner on a catermaran to top it all off.