We started the day trying to meet Miranda’s friend. We have data through Roam Mobility, which I think has been working quite well, but which cuts out at certain points on the island. For example, when you’re walking through Waimea Valley trying to find a friend. They had started hiking because we were ~15 minutes later than then, because of baby, and we were trying to coordinate. What did people do before cell phones???! I ask.

I’ve been to Waimea Valley before. It’s a nice walk along a paved path. For me, the real reason is the waterfall at the end. It’s somewhat cold, but right now no colder than the ocean. And it’s fresh water, with a nice deep pool. Swimming in fresh water is refreshing – you leave it and you feel better than when you entered. The ocean is nice, but I hate the sticky feeling of salt water (I swim it anyway :))

Here’s a video of me floating away from the waterfall

We went for a drive, attempting to put Ava to sleep. Also to find our favourite island BBQ, Uncle Bobos. We were successful at putting the baby to sleep, but Uncle Bobos was closed for renovations. Worse, we’d driven down this way the other day to give Ava a car nap, and had turned around on the opposite side of the street from Bobos. If only we’d turned around right instead of left…

We drove up the highway again towards home and stopped at the original North Shore Tacos. This was good, because I’ve been wanting to do a comparison of the standing restaurant versus the food truck. I’m happy to report that the food seems pretty much the same between the two locations. I’m also happy to report that I should always order the shrimp tacos, because they are amazing. The pork was a little dry – less dry in the restaurant, but I think just because of an accident of more sauce versus less sauce. The fish is excellent. But the shrimp, oh man, the shrimp is amazing.

Back up the road, Ava started whining in the car seat. Miranda got in the back to entertain her. We got home and shortly after put her down for a nap. I think that she wanted wanted to be able to move around and exercise a bit, because she was super active while also showing signs of needing to sleep. Just another thing to think about – has she gotten enough movement in, does she need to move more?

That “night” (we’re still on Vancouver time, waking at 5:30am and going to bed at 9pm, so dinner is at like 3-5pm) we went to Hale’iwa Joes for dinner. This place is #3 on TripAdvisor and we just can’t figure out why. We ordered a crab roll (basically a deep fried california roll), coconut shrimp and ceviche. The food was good enough, I wouldn’t rave about it though. The waitress was a weird. She was friendly, but had an odd manner of seeming to distance herself from any real interaction we tried to have. She didn’t once acknowledge Ava, despite us trying to have a conversation. At the end, we were getting up to pay at the front and she called out across the restaurant “Are you going to pay?” in a tone that was half trying to be friendly and half a little accusing.

The last time we were in this area and went to the restaurant we were disappointed in the food, so I think we’ll avoid this place in the future.

Ava continues to make friends across the island. She has this wide-eyed smile and she’s taken to staring at people as they pass by each other, so she’s hard to miss. Consequently, Miranda and I are making friends across the island as well. Miranda, I think, dislikes this, but has to go along with it – she has no choice, since we can’t really control Ava’s vision :P. I enjoy the random banter between strangers. So long as it ends in a timely manner…

This morning Miranda says she regrets not taking her computer. I’m super happy I brought mine!