8th Day - Saturday, October 11th 2008

Today was our Molokini snorkel trip! We met the Four Winds II at 7am at the Ma'alea Harbor to set off on our Molokini snorkel trip. The boat is a large catamaran type boat that they said has the capacity for 135 but today they only had about 55 so it was really nice! We boarded and headed upstairs to grab a seat with a view and some breeze. After getting the lay of the boat from the captain and getting situated upstairs the boat headed out of the harbor and we headed down to the galley to grab some breakfast. It was a little breezy but eating breakfast upstairs on the boat with that view was nice. The trip is about an hour long (because the boat goes fairly slow) so it gave us time to relax and enjoy the sights. Once we got to the mooring at Molokini crater we got our snorkel stuff ready and headed into the water. The water is really clear here so the visibility is great. Dave and I took our digital camera in the waterproof housing so we could take some pics. So Dave swims ahead and takes a picture then I see him looking at it funny. He then says to me "I think it leaked" and he holds it up out of the water and I said "um, yeah..I think so" since there was about an inch of water inside the "water-proof" housing. So he swims back to drop it back with our stuff and then we continue the dive. So needless to say, we won't have any digital pictures from that dive or any part of the trip after it :) Mom and I swim together most of the time and see lots of fish and we saw a really small whitish eel in a hole in the reef then later we saw a big moray eel switching holes down in the reef.. pretty cool! We snorkeled for about an hour I think before we headed back onto the boat to eat lunch. They barbeque hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken breasts for lunch. It was actually really good...I think there is something about eating on the deck of a boat that makes a hamburger much better than it really is. So after stuffing our bellies we decided to hang out on the boat since there was only about 20 minutes left at the mooring. Then we headed out to Turtle town. On the way we came across some dolphins that we hopefully got some pictures of with moms disposable camera. Then we hit turtle town and didn't snorkel but got to see a few turtles swimming around. Then back into the harbor. The boat ride back was really nice. It was sunny and we had a big bench to ourselves so we could spread out and get a little sun.

Once we docked we headed into the shops right there at the harbor to get these ice cream cookie sandwiches that are SO good. They are fresh baked cookies and you pick 2 of any kind and then pick whatever ice cream you want in the middle. yummmmy.

After that snorkel trip we headed home where I passed out for a while and Dave went running and I think mom did some email. Then it was getting ready to meet Dave's friend from work who happened to be coming to Maui that day for dinner. We went to the Pineapple Grill in Kapalua. It was dark when we drove there and the restaurant is on a golf course but its apparently way back in the golf course and there are lots of trees and little roads and ...well it was a little confusing to get there. We made one wrong turn then got back on course and were driving through the roads back in the golf community when I said.. there it is..we just passed it .. turn around... it said Pineapple Grill. So we turn around and head towards the sign when I realize "um...nevermind. It says Pineapple HILL". Apparently there is a lot of pineapple 'stuff' there...who knew. So we had to turn around again and go back down a one way street but finally made our way to the restaurant which was really pretty inside and I bet has neat views if its a little lighter out. Our dinner was good and it was fun to see someone from back home all the way out there in Maui. Then it was home and we started packing :( then went to bed.

7th Day - Friday, October 10th 2008

Today is Friday. Dave and I got up early to go out for our last dive of the trip. Met at the harbor at 6:30 again and headed out. We did a 3 tank dive today and ALMOST got to see a whale shark. They are these giant sharks that only eat plankton and are really peaceful to swim with (so I've heard). One of the other boats spotted one but we drove around and jumped in the water and snorkeled but couldn't see it anywhere. We did see some dolphins that came around and checked us out a little bit. After our morning of diving we came back and picked Mom up and headed out to Jawz taco truck to get fresh fish tacos - yummy. After our tacos we went out to hike around near this lava field that ends at the coast and has some pretty blow holes and little bays. We saw a couple little turtles surfing around in the rough water. After our hiking we headed out to Makena landing to do some snorkeling. The water was kind of cold getting in but once we were in it was ok. Saw a turtle swimming around at the bottom and resting and then some other general reef fish. After snorkeling it was home to rest and clean up before heading out to dinner at Nick's fish market restaurant. Nick's is great! The service is really really good and you feel like you are really being waited on. Of course, you pay for it with the price tag but their food is wonderful too!. We started out with calamari, then split a maui onion and shrimp salad, followed by splitting some seafood bisque soup (YUM). Then on to the main course. I had opakapaka (snapper) done with a good sauce. Mom and Dave both had the Mahi Mahi last night done in a buerre blanc sauce. Then we finished up by splitting a chocolate decadence. It was definitely good eating and great service in a nice atmosphere. Then we walked around and headed home where we crashed out for the evening!

6th day - Thursday, October 9th 2008

Today is Thursday! Dave and I slept in a little bit and then went out jogging at about 8:30 while Mom stayed home to relax. During our run we ran along a shoreline path that went in front of the really nice resorts in Wailea.. it was a nice run. Then we headed back up to the sidewalk we normally run and were on the way back to the car. Dave was way ahead of me at this point and I had just passed where we parked and looked down at my watch to figure out how long I had to run before I should turn around to head back to the car.. so I'm calculating this in my head when my toe caught a lip of the sidewalk and I went down on the ground! It was slow-mo and at first I thought 'I think I can catch myself' then it was 'nope.. I'm going to fall'. So I fell kind of on my side but it probably looked like I was sliding into home base. So I slide and kind of turn on my back and my legs roll up a little and I look to see if any cars were driving by and of course there was so I quickly popped back up thinking 'please don't stop.. please don't stop' and they didn't so I kept jogging until they were out of sight at which point I started walking and said sh*t that hurt. I wasn't bleeding and nothing was broken. Just a little scrape and I'm sure a bruise on my hip.. but I was able to start jogging again and finish it out. Apparantly I need to keep an eye on my feet.

After our jog we came back and showered and got ready to head into Lahaina for lunch. We ate at Kimo's where mom and I both had fish and chips and dave and some fish thing. Their patio is great for dining too... right on the water for good ocean views. After that we got ice cream and then headed back home so Dave could get ready for his night dive. The night dive met at the harbor at 3pm so mom and I dropped him off at the boat harbor. When we get there there is a guy waiting to trade flip-flops with Dave. So, what had happened was on Tuesday when we did our dives, everyone puts their shoes into a bin when they get on the boat. So at the end of the dive I went to pick up our shoes when I saw 2 pairs of the same flip flops in the giant size. So I pick them both out and the other guy whose shoes I am holding says.. 'I have really big feet; mine are probably the bigger ones'. So Dave says I THINK mine are 14 and the guy says mine are 13. So I compare and give the guys the slightly smaller pair which he then starts to put on and says .. oh no.. these are too small.. mine are the bigger ones. Um, ok.. that's fine. So Dave takes the smaller ones and puts them on and we get off the boat. What is funny about this is the night before I was JUST telling him I thought he had bought his flip flops too big and he should have gotten the smaller size. So now, he actually did! So we watch the other guy and he is walking around like its all fine.. meanwhile he's got a good 2.5 inches of shoe behind his heel. Clearly the wrong ones! But he was SURE his were the bigger ones and so we figured...whatever! This guys was goofy anyways so it made it even better to watch him walk around in giant flip flops. So we hang around a few minutes later to get our stuff and he still seems happy. Well apparantly he came back tonight to the harbor somehow knowing Dave was doing the night dive just to switch flip-flops. So now Dave is back into his old pair and the goofy guy finally has his issues all figured out! What a goober.

Anyways, now its time for mom and I to head into Wailea to do some shopping. We both bought a few things which makes it a good shopping trip. Then we walked over to the Grand Wailea to check out the grounds. Its really pretty there and the lobby is so grand with all the statues and its very open air. Then we drove over to the Four Seasons for a sunset cocktail. They've got some really great view and nice breezes coming through there. Then it was off to the PuPu Lounge for some appetizers. By that time it was just about time for Dave to get back so we picked him up at the harbor and got some Hawaiian shave ice for dessert. yummy.

5th Day - Wednesday, October 8th 2008

Today Dave went for a morning dive and mom and I drove the road to Hana. The road to Hana is a loooong scenic drive which is more about the drive and the scenery than actually getting to Hana. So, after we dropped Dave off at the boar harbor we went back home to get ready. After that we headed on our way.. I wasn't quite sure if I was going the right way but luckily it turns out I was. We stopped about 30 minutes into the trip in Pa'ia for breakfast at Anthony's. It was a great breakfast and they had a lot of options. Its in a strip mall and doesn't look like much but their food was good and the service was friendly. Mom had a belgian waffle and I went with traditional eggs, bacon, potatoes and toast...then we got pastries for the road. Then it was off on the drive. The road to Hana doesn't start out as much but once you get into it its beautiful. We stopped along the way at different places that our Maui Revealed book said were good finds to take pictures of waterfalls or scenery in general. Some really really beautiful coastal views and waterfalls along the way. The road is long and winding and you make lots of stops to check things out so its a full days adventure. I was driving which is good because if I wasn't then I'd probably be sleeping to avoid getting sick (which is how I missed a good portion the first time I did the drive 7 years ago). Mom and I hiked back to little falls and pools and enjoyed great views and stopped to buy some fresh banana bread and fresh lilikoi (passion fruits) for Dave. The road is really winding so you are constantly breaking and turning and breaking. We took one off-shoot from the main road that took us down into a small village where its really lush and the road is really narrow and stopped at the bottom and sat on the hill watching the water for a while..then it was back up the tiny road. After we actually reached Hana we decided to continue on around the island on the back side of the road which becomes really narrow in some spots! We were going around some of the curves and I was silently praying I didn't have to figure out how to get around any other cars coming the other direction. In the really narrow part I lucked out but some of the other areas it got tricky. After driving the really lush road on the way to Hana its such a contrast on the return trip because it gets really dry on the opposite side and almost looks like arizona in some spots...then after that it opened up and looked like midwest farmland. There were a LOT of cows on this back part that were roaming and grazing. They were loose to walk on the road only kept in by fences now and again and cattle guards. I really think this part of the drive is beautiful because the land just opens up and looks like a praire except that there is an ocean in the background. The road is funny here too because its paved then dirt then paved for like 100ft.. then dirt. Finally once its totally paved we end up really high and were literally driving in these clouds we'd seen earlier in the week forming over the mountains - we were up in them and it was cool and misty. I thought it was beautiful! Then its back down and into town and back to the condo. So this drive took us from about 8am - 6pm. This includes our breakfast and snack stops as well as sight seeing stops. We met Dave back at the condo and got showered and ready for dinner. Then all of a sudden I started feeling nauseous kind of and just not great. So mom and Dave went to dinner at Aroma Di'Italia without me. They said it was good italian food and did bring me some bread home :) I was fine the next morning so I think it was just maybe I was tired and all the winding driving got to me. But it was nice to go to bed early!

4th Day - Tuesday, October 7th 2008

Tuesday morning started with Dave and I heading out for another morning of diving. We met our boat again at 6:30 and headed out. Today's dive is a 3 dive day. First one was the backside of molokini again and we saw some eagle rays and octopus and fish. Second dive was also the backside of Molokini but a different area. On this dive we got to see lots of sharks. First we came across 2 of them laying on the ground resting. They were both white tip reef sharks. Then we dove near a 'cleaning station'.. which apparantly is an area where the sharks will come and rest and little fishes will clean them. So we saw another white tip resting there getting its gills cleaned out by some fish that would swim in its gills and out its mouth. So we continued the dive and towards the end as we were checking out the reef we looked behind us about a 100 feet and saw a bunch of sharks swimming around.. probably 7 of them. Mostly Grey reef sharks and a couple white tips in there. It was actually pretty neat to see them swimming around and it wasn't really threatening at all. We finished up our last dive and headed back in.

Dave and I went running when we got back to the condo (this time I pit stopped at the Grand Wailea which is nice but I didn't get towel service :() Then after our run we headed back and got ready for our show that night in Lahaina. The show is called Warren and Annabelle's. It was a GREAT show. It was a magic show/comedy show and I'm not big on magic really but it was amazing and the guy is really funny. He's got a great sense of humor. While we were there we had dessert and then went out to dinner later!

After the show we went to Pacific'O for dinner. Dave and I had fish dishes and mom had filet. They were all yummy. Then it was home to bed.

3rd Day - Monday - October 6th 2008

Today is Monday - Dave and I woke up early to head out for our first day of diving. We met the boat in the harbor at 6:30 and took off. It was nice to get back in the water and both dives of the day were great. We did the backside of Molokini first and saw lots of fish and eels and a slipper lobster (which just looks like a giant tail - no claws). After our dives were done we headed back to the condo to meet Mom. We all headed out to lunch in Lahaina at a place called Aloha mixed plate which is really relaxed dining right on the water. The menu is mostly their mixed plates which in Hawaii is some kind of meat (we all had the combo of mahimahi, teriyaki beef and chicken) along with a scoop of white rice and a scoop of macaroni salad. Its really better than it sounds! Then we were off to go snorkeling again with mom. This time we headed to the north side of the island to a bay up there that is slightly protected from the afternoon wind. We walked out to the rock area and geared up then headed in. We snorkeled for over an hour and mom had lots of fun again. We held different sea urchins and took a picture of mom holding a sea cucumber (which looks like a giant turd :). The weather was great and we snorkeled out pretty far and got to see a turtle swimming. After our snorkel was done we headed back home to relax and clean up for dinner.

Dinner was at the Ma'alea Waterfront which was really good! Its right on the beach with patio dining. We started out with a ceasar salad that they make tableside which homemade dressing.. yum! Then mom had ribeye, I had opakapaka and dave had ono all prepared really well. Then of course we had dessert. Mom had vanilla ice cream that tasted homemade and Dave and I split a banana custard.

Then home to sleep.

Maui 2008; Day 2; October 5th; Sunday

Today is our first full day in Maui - Sunday. Dave and I woke up early to head out for our long runs. So we headed off to Wailea where we know there is a long sidewalk area to run and Mom got up and did a walk on the beach in front of the condo (I'll have her type up her experiences). Its humid here and a little warm so the runs always seem difficult..plus where we ran is hilly. It didn't help that right after we started running I had to go to the bathroom. So I kept running a while and decided I couldn't go much further out.. so I headed back thinking I'd try these shops I ran by and see if there was a public restroom - then I thought - wait..I'm running by all these REALLY nice resorts..surely they have restrooms in their lobbies. So the first place I saw after I thought of this was the Four Seasons. So I started walking down a long hill towards the main entrance. When the valet/etc guys out front saw me coming one of them came up to me with a silver tray containing a cold bottle of water and a cold wet lemon scented hand towel. WOW, that's service. So I took my offerings and headed inside. ITS REALLY NICE in there. They have awesome views and a great looking pool area. They did have restrooms and they were of course nice and clean. Then I headed back out to finish my run. At that point I was kind of done with running but I finished as much as I could (running / walking) and headed home.

After that we headed out to rent Mom some snorkel gear. Then went to lunch at Pita Paradise. They do a really good 'fresh catch' Pita. That day it was Ono or Mahi Mahi. So all 3 of us got the fresh catch pita along with some cheese bread to start. Then off to Mom's first snorkeling trip. It went really good. We went to Mokapu/Ulua beach for snorkeling which is in Wailea and has a decent afternoon snorkel (most places are best in the early morning). Mom got adjusted pretty quickly and we were off swimming around. We saw a lot of fish and dave caught an octopus and stuck it to his arm (mom has a picture on her water camera that hopefully came out good). So we snorkeled for probably an hour and then headed back home to rest, shower and get ready for our Lu'au.

The Lu'au check-in was 5:15 pm where we were greeted with Mai Tai and shown to our table. Then you just wander around the grounds for a while checking out the different crafts and scenery and visiting the free open bar :) Then the buffet dinner opens and you are shown to the buffet table by table. The food was really good with a lot of variety and a lot of things to try. Some of it was very traditional Hawaiian style food that I had to try. I didn't love all of it but most of it was pretty good. Then we watched the show and got out of there about 8:15. Then headed home and went out front to see if we could find some toads to photograph. We'd seen some our first night here. So we got a few photos then pretty much called it a night!

First Night in Maui 2008

I'm going to try to document our trip to Maui on the web so all our family can read about what's going on over here in Hawaii. Dave, myself and my mom all arrived in Maui safely on Saturday evening. We landed about 5:30, got our luggage, picked up our rental car, shoved ALL our luggage (plus mom) in the rental car and made our way to the condo. Its a great condo with a wonderful view and they've done a really nice job of decorating it and giving it that Hawaii feel. After getting to the condo, unpacking and settling in we set out for dinner at Cafe O'Lei. We chose Cafe O'Lei because its here in Kihei and got good reviews. We didn't think we'd feel like driving very far for dinner our first night in so we made reservations at this place ahead of time. Its a good thing we made reservations because they looked packed! Dinner was yummy. We started out with oysters on the 1/2 shell (which were pretty good but not the best I've had). Then I had maui french onion soup and a shrimp papaya salad. I really liked the soup and the salad was good too. Mom and Dave both had the seafood chowder (mom said it needed more sherry) and then they also both had the special that evening which was a fillet of ono and a small fillet of mahi mahi with some kind of yummy sauce over veggies and mashed potato's..really yummy. We finished off with a banana cream tart and some vanilla ice cream. Honestly the ice cream was the best! It was Lappert's vanilla and it tasted homemade. After that it was off to Safeway for some quick grocery shopping and then home to bed.