Day 5 -- Lydgate

On Thursday we decided we'd better start getting our money's worth out of the snorkel equipment we rented from the friendly gentleman at Snorkel Bob's in Kapa'a. Mike had never snorkeled before, so we wanted to ease in. We went to Lydgate Park on the east side, which is protected by a reef that makes for calm waters. Lots of families with kids were enjoying the beach. We didn't see a huge amount of fish, but we got used to our gear and comfortable with the whole mouth-breathing thing.

Also, snorkeling gives you really bad hair.

In the afternoon, we drove north in search of fresh Hawai'ian food for dinner. We headed to the Kilauea Lighthouse/wildlife refuge, but didn't get there in time to really enjoy it, as it closes at 4pm. The first overlook was as far as we could go, resulting in the following classic postcard view...


We made plans to return another day, and headed back to the town of Kilauea for the Sunshine Market. Kind of like our local Grayslake Farmers Market but without the eerily-tan olive oil lady. We picked up another avocado and mango, some cool-looking yams that were purple on the inside, and a coconut cut open so we could drink the coconut water through a straw. Then we went over to the Kilauea Fish Market and picked up 2 fresh mahi mahi filets for dinner. Back at home, we grilled them using the addictive marinade recipe we got from Cindy as a wedding gift. Simply divine!