Maui- Day Four

For your listening enjoyment I have uploaded my favorite song from the island- it is at this very moment whisking me away to my happy memories of sand and surf...


Wednesday March 2- Atlantis IV Submarine

We had an 8:00am loading call at the Lahaina Harbor. Because we are not scuba certified, nor have we ever done a scuba before, we thought this would be a fun way to see the bottom of the reef- and it proved to be just that. Plus going under the water in a real submarine is just plain cool! We ferried out on the Holokia and found the Sub parked out in the bay with our captain ready to deploy to the deep. After climbing down the hatch we dove all the way to the bottom of the reef (130 ft) making a journey past TONS of different fish,
White Tip Shark,
Spotted Sting Ray
Then we came to a sunken ship- this looked very cool and we learned that old sunken ships in the bay promote fish life, just as a coral reef does.

It was a two hour trip and full of fun. I have decided that we should get scuba certified next time we go to an island because being on the bottom is really the best way to see all the cool stuff.

Oh and on our way back into the harbor we saw this boat- I think it has one of the best name ever!

We spent our afternoon on Front street. I really wish I had taken a picture of this, jammed packed with shops lining both sides of the road, lots of fun places to eat and they have the worlds larges Banyan Tree- It takes up an entire block because it just keeps re-rooting itself.

That night we had a reservation with the Pacific Whale Foundation to set sail on a Sunset Dinner Cruise. This was a lovely and fun evening. We were upgraded to premium seating by are agent which put us on the top deck right in the front- it was awesome with striking views! It made us feel as though we were being enveloped by a painting.We were seated next to a completely fun couple (Bill and Anna) from New York City who were on their Honeymoon- we had a lot of laughs and great conversation. Our waiter was Rob- he was more than happy to stop and talk with us about what to do on the island as well as letting Paul pick his brain about the whales- which were surfacing all around our boat. They had live music roaming the deck singing blissful island tunes- perfectly setting the mood. The sun went down and we returned to the glittering lights of the shoreline reflecting on the water. We were over the moon with this experience- LOVED our Sunset Cruise.

Tomorrow- We survive the Road to Hana!

Maui- Day Three

This morning, I dove into the pool at the rec center to resume my regular lapping routine. The water was chilly, but as my arms began to slice through the water I set my thoughts on propelling myself back to the salt laden ripples of the Maui cost. I tried to pretend that the blue tiles on the floor were merely electric blue fish I had encountered the week before. After showering I smoothed on some of the coconut lotion I had purchased and my mind had almost convinced myself that I was in fact still in a tropical environment, until I walked out the door into the frigid air and inches of snow- blast that reality!!!


Tuesday March 1st- Snorkeling with the Pacific Whale FoundationWe awoke bright and early this morning, not by choice, but because of our 6:00am boarding call on our snorkeling adventure out of Ma'alaea Harbor 15 minutes south. We were booked with the fantastic crew from the non profit Pacific Whale Foundation on a two site stop of Molokini Crater and Turtle Town. We set out over the water just as the sun was cresting over the mountains and it was sensational! The waters were expected to get a little rough and choppy later that morning so we were pleased with the early start and the waters held to perfection- we were the only snorkel boat there.

Right now in Maui it is Whale Season. The humpback Whales have migrated from Alaska down to the waters here, between Maui, Lana'i and Moloka'i to mate and birth their calves. It was literally "Whale Soup" and you can't drive a boat in a straight line to get anywhere because of all the whales surfacing and playing around you. Fascinating and exciting to say the least. While on route we had to stop because a Competition Pod consisting of 12 whales was crossing our path.
This is one female with 11 other males competing to be "the one". She plays it cool while male hormones fight it out behind her, pushing, shoving, tying to drown each other and coming up and spouting air constantly. Truly a sight to behold. It was great to have the crew of certified Marine Biologist narrating the whole event for us- totally excited about what they were seeing!!!

After all that stimulation we were able to make our way to Molokini- 10 miles off shore, a semi-circular crater reef that is a marine and bird sanctuary. You are not allowed on the island, but the waters are crystal clear and the coral is amazing! I would like to post up the pictures from our underwater camera, but I couldn't get a 1 hour develop to CD done, so I will have to post edit this when I get them back- that is if any of them turn out! I will admit that while there were lots of cool beautiful fish, it was not as many as everyone had told us there would be, but it was beautiful and really fun to be there and enjoying the waters with Paul hand in hand.Next we loaded up and made our way to Turtle Town- this is what Paul and I were excited about. Here was a reef where the Hawaii Sea Turtles come for a cleaning from other fish. This was Awesome! We saw lots of turtles- in fact they were swimming right with us, one was even following us around! Because the turtles are protected it is a $150 fine if you touch one. Our snorkel guide kept telling us to get back, but they just kept following me!!! It was a total kick to see those turtles lying around with little tiny fish swarming them nipping the dirt away. I really hope those pictures develop well because these should be good shots.

When we were all back on the boat the crew fired up the BBQ and we all had a tasty lunch as we passed more whales on our way back to the harbor. It was a 5 hour trip and we loved every moment.

That night was an unscheduled free dinner night for us. After a little research we found the Aloha Mixed Plate. We had hoped to get the iconic "Plate Lunch" while we were here. I ordered the BBQ Teriyaki chicken, rice and potato/mac salad plate while Paul picked the pulled pork. Now, this evening turned out so great because we didn't even know until we arrived that this place was right next door to the Grand Lahaina Luau (the most expensive and renowned on the West side) and they were the ones that catered it. What this means is- We were seated out on the deck right next to the ocean, the Luau music was playing, we were enjoying the exact same food AND the sun was setting in a spectacular fashion right next to us- and it only cost us $25 and that was with a Pina Colada!! It was a total moment when we looked at each other and said

" This IS paradise"!

Tomorrow- we scavenge the deep in the Atlantis IV Submarine, don't miss it!

Aloha! Mainlanders

We have made it home from our very fun, very sunny, very relaxing Anniversary trip to the beautiful island of Maui! Paul and I have both never been, and it did not disappoint! I hope I haven't lost all my readers in my absence, but this week will make up for it. As with all trips we came home more tired then when we left, with more laundry to do- but this time it truly was worth it!!

Before I can even begin to attempt a recap I must take a moment and thank my Sister in Law Amber for watching the girls! She is SO SO wonderful (I know you all wish you had an Amber too!) and my gratitude overfloweth for her (and for Trace letting her go for a week!). It made the trip so much better to know that all was well at home and the girls were being loved and cared for!!

Now, I have so many stories, adventures and of course pictures to share- but in order to not overload the system (and keep you coming back for more!) I have decided to post each day about what we were doing one week ago on the island.

Lets begin!

Sunday Feb. 27th- Not a very exciting day- we were traveling, starting at 4:00am until what would have been 3:00pm our time. Hawaii is 3 hours behind us so we landed at 12:00 noon. We were promptly greeted by wild chickens and Palm trees! By the time we had our rental car, checked into the condo and looked around:
Out front of our condoView from our roomWater fall and Coy pond in the garden belowOur beach
Paul was so exhausted from the traveling (and the fact that he didn't sleep the night before) that he fell asleep! I spent the evening out on the deck lounging in a chaise, sipping a soda, and reading a magazine all while watching the magnificent sunset illuminate the sky. Sorry for all of you that I didn't take any photos of the lovely scene being that I was enjoying the relaxing too much!

Monday Feb. 28- We woke up early (remember the time difference) went to the store and stocked up on Breakfast and Lunch items. The plan was to eat breakfast at home, pack picnic lunches and spend our money on dinners- it worked out smashingly! Then we went to our island experts and booked all the activities that we had been dreaming of doing for months. They were great and soon our whole week was booked up with fun things.

That afternoon we drove up the coast to the beautiful Napili Bay. We laid out our mats and enjoyed the sound of the waves breaking on shore- it was truly divine and it was the first moment that it really set in where we were- I LOVE the beach!
That night we attended a Luau at the Hyatt- Drums of the Pacific
This was fun! They pulled the pig out of the ground during a big spectacle and paraded it though the crowd. The Food was outstanding!I mean really- smoked pulled port with pineapple salsa and ripe mangoes with fresh lime- delicious!!
They sampled dances from Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiji, Tonga and ended with the always impressive Samoan Fire Dance!

Tuesday- we are snorkeling- come on back!!!

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

Six. Really, can you even fathom the idea? I can not. She is growing up so fast, and I am enjoying it completely. Liv is my kindred spirit. We all know that each and every child has a different personality. While we love them all immensely for all their different reasons, some of them are just more like you than others. Liv and I GET each other. I understand her thought process, I understand her idiosyncrasies, I know how she is going to react to every situation placed before her before she does. Even though these characteristics can be frustrating at times- because I KNOW when she is just pushing my buttons- I LOVE her to the moon!

Six

When I was One,
I had just begun.
When I was Two,
I was nearly new.
When I was Three
I was hardly me.
When I was Four,
I was not much more.
When I was Five,
I was just alive.
But now I am Six,
I'm as clever as clever,
So I think I'll be six now forever and ever.

-- A.A. Milne, 1927

Happy Birthday Olivia!!!