Day 11: Snorkling with Lava Turtles

Today was easily one of my favorites here in Hawaii. We woke up this morning after sleeping in finally to see 3 sea turtles swimming in our cove right outside our tent! Two of them get up on the beach too. We get all excited and I go grab a couple of pictures. Even got some good close ups. They kind of turn around and go back into the water and Sara already has her snorkling gear on and is in the water. I race to get mine on, having neve used it yet, and jump in too. She is already swimmin with all three and I get over there for the last one. She has the underwater camera so I get with the turtle and its just amazing. Dont even know how to decribe it. So peaceful under the water and the turtle is just chill and eating and beautiful. I approach her a little more and shes totally fine with our presence. I reach out and she lets me touch her! Shell, flippers, whatever. I was being gentle and in pure shock and awe at what was happening. I push my luck a bit more when she starts swimming by holding onto her back shell. She is actually letting me ride her!! She pics up speed and so do I. I just wan to shou out with exhileration but I cant cause, you know, Im under water and stuff. Sara is getting pics I hope but then the turlte gets a bit spooked or something and takes off =\ (no worries, Sara got some pics with them the next day). My turtle quest is now not only complete but an overwhelming success. And when we walked to the park nearby on this rock we saw 2 more. One was trapped in this rock circle because the tide was out. She was massive too.

We met up one of Saras local friends at the park and just hung out and slept a bit. Was really nice because there were lots of people and familys and I miss mine. The guy had his 3yr old daughter with him so naturally I think of my two nieces and Christinas girls who I lived with in AR.

After a while we left to got back to the campsite to eat but again there were people, everywhere this time and around our tent. But noone seemed to bother it so it was all good. We stopped by some guys grilling closest to our tent and strunk up convo. They offered us steak and hotdogs and drinks! Bingo. Finally, something grilled and not pbj! Was complete relief at this point. Everyone was really nice and they all just come out to this spot on the weekends.

We went snorkling some more to see if we could find more turtles, someone had just spotted them. But somewhere along the way it finally happened. I sliced my left middle finger open right on the tip. Yeeeaa it hurt a bit and would NOT stop bleeding. Also stepped on some coral on my heel so it got cut up but didnt bleed. Just painful when I walk. Great. Mad at the ocean now I sit out and nurse my wound. Sara got bloodied up on her toe and leg and another guy stepped on an urchin. Haha and he peed on it in front of the parks view of where we were.

When it was time for them to pack up we helped and got thier number because they too wanted to go see the lava flow. Ohhh buudddy!! FINALLY going to see LIVE lava!!

We get in touch later when its dark and they come to pick us up. Theres two guys, Tim and Beau, and Tims pregnant gf, Shalei(sp). Beau has this crazy accent too. With a full car and excited people we head out! Its about a 45min drive to the lava but it took us a bit longer due to a flat tire. Wouldnt you know it. And then we discover the jack is missing! Lol its just getting funny at this point. The guys are sitting there calling people with no luck and Sara I guess just decides to take over the situation so she flags down a car and they have a jack! Everyone is laughing in amazement at Sara. I had my tripod with me and the guys were starting the jack so I see a good photo opp. I set up and snapp off a couple of really cool shots. When Im done Sara has somehow taken over and is changing the flat! Hahahah 3 guys and a girl is doing the man work. In my defense I was taking pictures and was letting the guys work on their own car cause you know, what guy doesnt know how to change a flat right. Im cracking up and the job gets finshed so we're back on the road!

We get to the turn off and there are a bunch of cars going to and from the "off limits" site. Signs of course everywhere. Soon as we park it starts drizzling and Im getting completelt bummed. But my camera bag has a built in poncho so I find myself again stoked tht I chose wisely with it. Sure enough though the Hawaiin rains only last a minute or two and the winds dry me quickly.

Ok, we are now walking on some of the freshest lava in the world. Its stunningly black and crispy. Every footstep crunches like ice and the patterns look like brownie mix being poured. You can see the glow of the flow a ways off so thats where we're headed and everyone is. There are multiple glowing spots bu we head for the one where trees are being burned alive. Ohhh buddy! We get there...I see lava..only feet from me...scorching hot...brand new baby earth...Im absolutely breathless. Most amazing thing nature has ever shown me. Anything youve seen on tv or images do not remotely compare to what Im lookin at. Just woooow.

I snap a bunch of pics and we get group shots and jump shots. People think we were going to fall in the lava during those shots it was funny. We even poked and pulled some of the lava out! I wanted to spend alll night here no lie, but our friends were heading back because Lei needed to sit down. Yes, a 6month pregnant woman hiked out to see lava. Thats how cool this stuff is. So we leave too and head back to Hilo, completely humbled.

Today I snorkled with and rode sea turtles, ate one of my best free meals on the islands so far, made some really cool new friends, and saw and touched fresh lava for the first time....ask me how I feel right now..