Big Beach, big waves

Sun replaced the clouds and rain of yesterday, so we thought we might be able to snorkel on our last full day here. At Ahihi Bay we walked along the lava rock path and found the tiny black sand beach; it would have been a great place to snorkel over a low reef, but the surf was too high, with a strong north wind. We watched the whitecaps, we could see the back of Molokini in the distance, and with the binoculars saw Humpback whales breaching.
On the way back we stopped to have a look at Secret Cove: in the guidebook they say it used to be secret, is very beautiful, and a lot of wedding ceremonies are held there. We found a spot to park, spied the tiny opening in the rock wall that's the only access to the beach, walked down and stopped short: a wedding was taking place at the water's edge! Beachgoers were in their folding chairs reading their novels, and the couple were saying their vows and exchanging rings - the bride in a traditional white dress, the groom in a shirt and shorts, both wearing leis, and the ten guests in shorts or sundresses! We couldn't believe our eyes! It certainly IS a picture perfect spot, especially today with the waves crashing on the rocks and sending up spray, the blue sky, and the beautiful sand.
Next stop was Big Beach, a mile long strip of gorgeous sand. Despite the red warning flags and signs reading Caution: dangerous shore break, people were swimming, bodysurfing and boogieboarding in the big waves. We watched an older gentleman walk into the surf wearing glasses and a straw hat; he was barely up to his waist in water when a wave toppled him and he lost both his glasses and hat - miraculously he found both, put them back on, but then walked out again, only to have the same thing happen! That time he didn't find his glasses...

Photo of the lifeguard tower by The_Smiths via Flickr