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August 07, 2004
The next day was the
The next day was the last day for the trip, and the plan for yesterday’s visit to the North Shore was set for that morning. We learned some interesting things during the car ride…… like…. Uh… hm… maybe we just listened to Maroon 5.
The most entertaining moment came when Ray forgot which way to go. Needing to consult his large sized map of Oahu, he had me take the wheel while he folded out the entire map to the point where I was the only person in the car who could see out the front. Besides crossing the line more than once, it went ok, and my parents in the car behind us didn’t even notice that I was driving from the passenger seat.
We arrived at a place called Shark’s Cove (which doesn’t have any sharks) and got snorkeling gear. We admired the spot where nearly a month before Ray had held his bleeding foot that hasn’t entirely healed to this day, blood stain and all. This fact alone caused my parents to give the lad a first aid kit in hopes that he’ll take better care of himself. But as Ray goes “It’s just a gunshot wound, it’s not that bad.”
We got out into the water and found some cool fish swimming around, as well as an eel or two. Apparently an octopus and a sea turtle also were in the waters according to some divers. There were also some underwater cave passages that we explored a bit, and a coconut in the water quickly turned into a football. After I had my fill of colorful fish and saltwater, I went in to once again take over the sworn duty of guarding our stuff.
Nate came in as well, and in true Raymond form cut his foot open while getting out on the sharp rocks. The profuse bleeding caused the sacrifice of my towel to a greater cause. As we were getting people in, what would happen? It would of course rain a lot more. So after being dry, I’m now wet and my towel is holding in the life blood of one of our Aussie friends. On the plus side, my beach towel now has some awesome blood stains on it, talk about memories.
We managed to get everyone up and get some medical supplies and Nate’s foot was cleaned out and bandaged up. Some of the folks went to grab fruit, but the family headed down the road to grab some shrimp. We found a great shrimp shack/farm and had some absolutely wonderful food there along with the staple of my diet in Hawai’i: Pineapple.
Along the way, the storm had actually got some good surf going on the North Shore, around 8-12 ft waves were being attempted by boogie boarders and surfers alike. The site was an awesome spectacle and we pulled over to stop and watch it for a while. The best part: guys crashing and burning. Heh, I love watching people crash. It’s why auto-racing redeems itself, a car breaking apart into fireballs: priceless.
The time back at the hotel was spent on the beach and shopping. The parents went on a food run and to find some pineapples to take back to the mainland. (Sidenote: I typed States there originally; it’s kinda funny how Hawaii does feel like its own country in some ways). Ray came over, and due to a variety of things it took the parents a while to get back so we sat around and were lazy.
The food was Thai and wasn’t the best I’ve ever had, but it was pretty good and I ate some of that and polished off the burger Katie had ordered from room service. We did this while watching The Amazing Race. My only comments on the show were as follows: The editors have a dirty mind. The challenge names were “Who’s Up for Going Down”, “Rock and Roll” and “Hump and Ride” and many teams were shown saying “look, there’s a shaft.” Dirty minds those editors have. It seems as if the Fast Forward is now just a bonus for the team in first on a particular leg – you get out of having to run around in the desert. We know that the 8-9 hour advantage gained by Colin and Christie over the next team is wiped out in the next episode. When will we see another Yield? And finally, taking all of the money for checking in last on a non-elimination leg is the best change yet.
Enough of that though, after tossing my supply of chocolate covered Macadamia nuts into my bag, I headed with Ray and Josh over to his house for one last bash. It was of course raining outside and there was lightning and thunder as well, another unusual sight (and sound, I suppose) for the islands. The TV had been mentioning for a day or so that Maui was in a Flash Flood warning, Oahu was right behind it.
We drove to the house, and after a rousing game of Uno started watching some awful direct to TV shark movie or something. The CGI was so bad I’m sure people I go to school with could do far better. Everyone was tired, and as goodbyes were started to be said, Ash came out with a didgeridoo between his legs and said “suck it, bitch.” I was more than happy to oblige, if only to give a good show for the girls. Lots of laughter, red faces, and sore cheeks is always a good way to go out.
I shook hands and hugged goodbye – knowing I had met a bunch of people that I could easily hang out with anytime in the future and have a good time with. It was a pleasure meeting these folks and hanging out with them. I hope I see you guys again soon.
The ride back to the hotel was somewhat quiet. There wasn’t really much left to say, but no one wanted to say goodbye. Josh will be in basic in November, and likely won’t see Raymond for a year or more. I may see him six months, but that still seems like too long for such a good friend. I’ll admit that there were plenty of tears in my eyes as I hugged Ray goodbye. I couldn’t get that Eve6 song out of my head.
In a day, we’re going to be gone for good again
Are you willing to be had, are you cool with just tonight
Here’s a toast to all those who hear me all too well.
Here’s to the nights we felt alive, here’s to the tears you knew you’d cry
Here’s to goodbye, tomorrow’s gonna come too soon.
And so it did, and I’m looking forward to getting back out to Hawai’i and hiking around the Big Island with Ray sometime in the next 4-7 months. Maybe I’ll eventually make it out to Australia to see my newfound friends from Down Under. One thing is certain though, my wet shoes are making my feet frickin cold on this airplane.
I hope to hear from everybody (jstevenson(AT)gmail.com) and I hope our paths cross again someday.
Till the next adventure.
J
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Posted by badwillhunting at August 7, 2004 04:34 PM