Tags
Hawaii, Matsumoto, North Shore, Oahu, Sharks Cove, Shave Ice, Snorkling
16 May 2015 – After visiting the Kukaniloko Birth Stones it was lunchtime and we continued towards the North Shore for the time-honored tradition of obtaining and consuming Hawaiian shave ice at Matsumoto’s. I got the “Hawaiian” (Coconut-Banana-Pineapple), Isabella chose Coconut-Strawberry-Banana, Lucas chose “Rainbow” (who knows what is in that), Aurelia chose Bubble Gum-Cotton Candy, Sherrie chose Li Hing-Raspberry-Lemon. Of course we also add ice cream on the bottom and condensed milk on top giving it a rich creaminess.
Ordering at Matsumoto
We sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful sunny weather while eating our lunch of shave ice 🙂 Aurelia ate some and then mixed it all up into a slurry claiming she was making “pie.” I gave Giuliana bites of mine.
Giuliana, Sherrie, Isabella, Lucas, and Aurelia eating their shave ice at Matsumoto
After shave ice for lunch we continued down the North Shore towards Sharks Cove for an afternoon of snorkeling. Sharks Cove is a nice place for the family because it offers something for everyone. The cove itself is protected from waves making it perfect for Giuliana to play in the water, the calm water and rock/coral creates the perfect snorkeling conditions which even Isabella and Lucas can enjoy, and the water is just deep enough with many fish and crabs in the shallows for Aurelia to enjoy. Finally, of course there is adult-level snorkeling for Sherrie and myself. Like anywhere else in Hawaii the kids also love playing the sand to warm up after time in the water.
Lucas, Isabella, and Aurelia in the tide pools at Sharks Cove
Fish in the shallow tide pools of Sharks Cove
This time we snorkeled other areas of Sharks Cove and enjoyed larger fish. Isabella and I followed another coronetfish around while we also looked closer at the various species of urchin present. Sherrie even saw a brittlestar eating an urchin.
Isabella holding the sand dollar Sherrie found
Sand dollar at Sharks Cove
Of course, the kids love playing in the sand wherever they go and it helps them to warm up between times in the water.
Aurelia playing in the sand burying her feet at Sharks Cove
