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Day 3 in Hawaii

The activity we chose was Flumin' Da Ditch in Kohala. After about a 45 minute bus ride from the hotel after breakfast we arrived in Kohala for our instructions and to load up in the vans. It was another 20 minutes on road, then 20 minutes off road in a 15 passenger van. And it was OFF ROAD. These roads were very rough and bouncy. We now know what it feels like to be a bobblehead doll! Once we got to the top, the view was impressive. Our ride down the waterway on kayaks was a lot of fun and quite wet. We only brought a waterproof disposal camera but it worked quite well as you can see. After another shorter off road ride back we had lunch at a local restaurant and then took the bus back to the hotel. That afternoon we did a little shopping, so 3 dresses for Alexa, an outfit and couple of t-shirts for Drew, the requisite food stuff (macadamia nuts, chocolate, etc.), and presents for our moms who were taking care of the kiddos. That evening was a semi-formal dinner in our respective company functions (I am in Wireless Network Services). It was very, very nice. We were on a patio next to the lagoon. They put your napkin in your lap, serve from the right, clear from the left, and we even had a salad knife (not just a salad fork). The food was wonderful of course. After dinner was the Hawaiian Idol competition. Employees and guests could present their talent for a trip to Los Angeles to watch American Idol 3 live while staying at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Six people made the cut to perform live and all were quite talented. The finals was between a woman with a great voice but just a small case of stage fright and an awesome hip hop dancer. The hip hop dancer won it as he had the crowd totally into his act. He was amazing. Through two performances he did not repeat any move once! Text message voting via wireless phone by everyone at the show determined who won. After that there was dancing but we were tired so we retired to the room to crash for the night.

View in the van on the way up to the flume	At the top in our puffy life vests
Here we go!	We stopped so we could look over at this waterfall
All this green reminds us of Seattle	Only it is like 85 degrees here!
These were built in the 1900's and still hold water	Back at the office, these are the kayaks
As we walk up to Buddha point	Looking back towards the Lagoon Tower
The triple play: water, rock, and greenery	Hotel is just to the left, this is looking South east
This is the first of several amazing shots Gen got here	Can you believe they got stuff to grow with all this lava rock underneath? They had to truck in so much soil
Looking back down the path to Buddha point	When they mean the rough when you golf here, they ain't kiddin'
OK, second picture with no water. We thought this clouds looked neat, but luckily no rain from these	Could this be Mars??
Simply incredible	Palm trees, palm trees, man I miss seeing those....
Clouds	Check the sun reflection on the Pacific Ocean
Bright foliage	The view from the path just outside our hotel room
More red plants (not red planet!)	On the way into Hawaiian Idol, they had people treat us like idols. It was a riot. They went all out for us which was really fun.
The main ballroom	Hawaiian Idol was a great show!