For the love of the sea

You can tell which tourists have recently arrived in Hawaii not only by their pale skin, but by their timidness around the ocean. And rightly so. The jaunty palm trees and happy turquoise waters lead you to believe a relaxing dip lies ahead. But from the moment you step into the tide, you will realize what you're up against.

There is a powerful under-current and a short beach, the waves are incessantly churning and under them lie dangerous lava rocks. It's not really swimming so much as fighting to keep your head above the surface. And it only takes one salt-water enema to realize that sitting at the water's edge won't provide any protection.



In spite of the terrifying terrain, the Hawaiian ocean is also a natural playground. Once you have learned to negotiate the waves, there is unlimited fun to find. And if you're not up to the challenge, it's just as lovely to be an on-looker.