Kapoho sweetness

Welcome to the weekend, everyone!

Today I woke up with the intention of going back to Pohoiki for a swim, but after mentioning my plans, I took the suggestion from someone to go snorkeling instead. I had never been before, so why not?

We hitched to the tide pools (Kapoho), and walked down a hidden path to a better spot to enter the water. I had never used a proper swim mask or snorkel before, and so had to adjust a bit after getting in the water. The temp was chilly, but easy to get used to. The second I put my face underwater and told myself to breathe through my mouth, my eyes adjusted to looking through the water. It was amazing AND magical. I followed my swimming partner out into the tide pool, checking out the underwater world below me. Seeing all of the different fish and coral blew my mind. I've seen these things in pictures, but really seeing them before me was such a cool experience.

Being from the land-locked and very great state of Colorado, I had some apprehension even being in the ocean, especially swimming out toward the breaks as we were doing. Let me say that I knew this was perfectly safe, but I still had anxiety. More and more so the further we swam out. I told myself over and over to get the shit over it. My mask didn't fit properly, and I had to hold the snorkel up and out of the water, which was difficult but worth it. I saw more awesome things today than I ever thought I'd see while on this extended vacation.

After snorkeling, we hitched to a warm pond. Lava-heated water is amazing. It is truly nature's bathtub. We floated around for a while, discussed our cravings for hamburgers, and came back to the hostel. I thought about showering, but gave up on that thought when I decided to hitch into town to grab some things for a beach day tomorrow.

I spoke to four of my most beloved friends on the phone, and spoke to my little bro for almost an hour after that. Now, as I sit surrounded by chill people writing this, I realize how sunburned and worn out I am. Swimming is great excercise! I can't wait to make dinner, read for a bit, and hit the hay! Tomorrow I'll go back to the black sand beach I went to last Sunday (Kehena), and I am excited to actually take some pictures this time.

I hope all is well with everyone wherever you are, and that this Summer has started as spectacularly for you all as it has for me.

Until whenever,

Aloha