Day 16: Yes, we were there for 16 days!

Our last day in Hawaii was pretty laid back. We attended a temple session with Heidi in the morning, which was really nice. Then, Heidi took us up to see Laie Point (a small rocky peninsula). On our walk up there, we passed by a monk seal sleeping on the beach. Monk seals are one of the few native Hawaiian animals, and they are endangered, so it was a real treat to see one! You're actually not allowed to get too close to them by law, but we didn't even notice it until we were really near...and we needed to pass by that stretch of beach somehow! At least we made sure to stay back some and not disturb it. But, um, let's just keep these photos between you and me, so as to avoid any awkward questions.

When we got back, we took a half hour or so and sat on Heidi's beach chairs to say goodbye to the ocean. Then, it was time for dinner. With a stop at Heidi's kids' school music performance, we were off to the airport with Brian. Kevin and I parted ways again to get on two different airlines (his left first) and I was left to mourn the loss of paradise alone. I found solace by drowning my sorrows in chocolate covered macadamia nuts.

The problem with taking a trip to Hawaii is that no matter how relaxed you are at the end of your stay, you will always feel exhausted when you arrive at your home airport. But eight hour flights notwithstanding, if you ever get the chance to visit this patch of Eden, don't hesitate--just go! There's a reason every calls it paradise. (Just don't stay in Honolulu the whole time, okay?)