MillerTime: Day 3: Seeking Refuge

Today we visited Pu’uhonua O Honaunau, also called Place of Refuge, National Historic Park. Historically it is a place where ancient Hawaiians could come to be absolved of their sins by priests after performing various mandated rituals. It is a beautiful place and a nice place to visit on an overcast day.

The site features all sorts of palm trees and other beautiful foliage, the Great Wall constructed in the 1500s made without dressed stone or mortar, and reconstructed houses and temples.

Wood carvings of the gods.

We especially enjoyed searching for sea life in the tide pools!!! Zach said that he could “do this all day!”

Can you spot the eel???

Can you spot the goats? So far we have see all sorts of free-roaming farm animals around the big island including chickens, goats, and pigs! We have also seen many mongooses as they scurry across the road. Squirrel is to the mainland as mongoose is to Hawaii.

Zach and Ashton in the distance tide-pooling.

That’s Derek out there!

We then headed to what I thought was a local swimming beach. I had the name only half-right so we ended up at the wrong place. Oops! It was ok as we were able to get in a safe spot to try out the water (cool-ish) and see some pretty fish with snorkel masks. It was amazing how many fish were so nearby even in this tiny secluded area.

We then went back to our condo, got cleaned up, and went to eat at Quinn’s Almost by the Sea Restaurant. Sooooo good!

We started with a Cajun seasoned Ono Sushimi appetizer. Ono is a big ocean fish with almost no fishy flavor. Ono means “delicious” in Hawaiian and they are certainly right!

I had the grilled Ono sandwich with fries and pineapple coleslaw. The Ono was Ono!!

Zach enjoyed an Asian style pasta dish with shrimp and other fresh seafood in it.

Derek and Ashton both enjoyed burgers!

We then stopped at the grocery store to stock up on POG and other snacks!!!

Now we’re are sitting outside on our lanai enjoying the ocean while sipping POG. The boys took over the recliners!

Along with the local animals, we have seen many unique birds including the myna bird (they are everywhere!!!!)

Saffron finches, which visit the grounds by our condo every afternoon,

And Quoras. These are not my pictures of the birds. I found them on the internet as my pictures did not turn out well.

There is also a very annoying tiny frog outside of our condo that likes to whistle all night long. We have not seen him or her, but can definitely hear his or her presence!!! We have been told that it is probably a small tree frog called a coqui. It’s song is very cute for about 5 minutes. After that, not so much. Luckily the sound of the ocean drowns out the frog song in our bedroom. The boys are not so lucky! Ha!