And on the 4th Day.......

There were DOLPHINS!

We went snorkeling this morning at La Persouse Bay. The snorkeling spot is located just past the lava fields about as far south as you can go on the island. We parked and walked in on the very rocky shore. Definitely not a swimming beach. We heard some fellow snorkelers almost whispering about a school of dolphins nearby. We nervously looked at the spot we would have to enter the water and it was a bit intimidating. Pretty much all jutting lava rocks before into the deep water. Then we saw the dolphins frolicking in the distance and we got our gear ready and got into the water. As we swam out we saw fish we had never seen and passed a big sea turtle. We had spotted a sea turtle yesterday which we had figured would be the highlight of our snorkeling adventures. Not so....today the four of us swam with the dolphins. Not in an aquarium with tame dolphins, in the open ocean beside wild dolphins. There were about 20 of them and about 10 snorkelers spread out. People were so excited as you can imagine this doesn't happen everyday. We had an underwater camera but haven't had them developed (remember developing film?!?!). The pics below are not my pics....in case it wasn't that obvious. Hopefully some of ours will turn out.

We were pretty pumped after snorkeling and it was only 10:00am. We stopped at Polo Beach and hit the waves for some boogie boarding. After an hour and a half of that we were starving and it was time for lunch and a nap.

The boys are getting supper ready and after we eat we are heading to the Maui Ocean Center.
After that there will need to be some hot tub time.....snorkeling is a lot of exercise.

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 28 - DAY 3

Yesterday's Sunrise from our condo.

At the Iao Needle

'Iao Valley is the site of one of the most famous battles that occurred in 1790 and changed Hawaii history forever when King Kamehameha I destroyed the Maui army in an effort to unite the Hawaiian Islands.

It is day 3 and I have to admit I am starting to miss my boys. This definately was not the holiday to bring them along considering all the stuff we've been able to do but I am missing them.

Of course I will try (said with great sarcasm) and enjoy the rest of the trip.

Today was a rainy day. We went out on a bit of a road trip to see the IAO Needle and over to the North Shore to see some big waves.

We had fish and shrimp at a little fish market/restaurant called Eskimo Candy. Leonard and I finally got to satisfy our coconut shrimp craving. We had hoped to get to Bubba Gumps for shrimp but it is in Lahaina and we were there already. From where we are it is quite a drive.

Last night we hit a highly recommended sushi restaurant for Sushi. I am not normally a big sushi eater but this was an eating experience! Mmmmmm....it was all delicious!!

Panko Crusted Ahi Sashimi Sushi Roll

Mango Crab Salad Hand Roll

Matsuhisa Style Miso Butterfish

Lobster and Blue Crab Ravioli

Spicy Crunchy Tuna Roll

Shrimp Dynamite

Late this afternoon the skies seemed to lighten up a bit and we decided to get to the beach. Well, I would say we cheated death a bit venturing into the waves to boogie board in the roughest surf any of us had been in. We were all very smart about it but MAN water is strong! We were all very full of sand....sand was everywhere (from eyelids to ..... you get the idea) but it was so much fun. I can't pick what I like more snorkeling or boogie boarding.

I don't have any pictures from today but here are some beach shots from yesterday.

We are eating in tonight. Joel is grilling some Marlin steaks then it is off to do some shopping!

Luau Pics

The Luau was absolutely incredible. It will be a night none of us will forget.

MONDAY NOVEMBER 26/07 - DAY 2

We were up early this morning to head out for our 1st snorkeling excursion. We headed to Ulua Beach in the hope of finding sea turtles. I love snorkeling!! It takes some practice to get the hang of it but once you do it is remarkable! The coral and the fish....amazing.

We are back at the condo getting dressed to head to lunch then on to Lahaina for some shopping and then the Old Lahaina Luau.

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 25th/07

We met the sunset this morning a top the Haleakala Crater at 10,000 ft. above sea level. It took nearly 2 hours to go up the road. The road was ALL switchbacks. I thought about Lee......she should NEVER do this! Anyone subject to car sickness would not find it enjoyable. None of us felt any ill effects from the altitude or winding roads. The pay off was a remarkable experience. It was freezing cold and very windy. We knew what to expect but WOW it was very cold.

We huddled together and waited for the sun to peak over the clouds we were looking down on. We also watched all the other people waiting with us. Some were in many layers of jackets, towels, blankets, sheets. And there were some morons wearing shorts and light jackets. They were more fun to watch!

On our way back down the mountain we had our 1st look at Maui in the day light. We arrived Saturday night after the sun went down. It was poetic to start our 1st full day in Hawaii with the sunrise.

We are a pretty tired bunch today. We left Edmonton yesterday at 7am which meant an early trip to the airport (up at 4am) and arriving in Maui around 5:30pm. We went for a quick supper and a Mai Tai (YUM) and groceries. To bed by 10pm in order to get up for the sunrise we were up at 3:30am. We are now up from our 3 hour nap and ready to check out the BEACH!

By for now...........oh one more thing...................

GO BOMBERS!!!!!!!!!!

Off to Paradise

Well....we are leaving early tomorrow morning for Maui. I have not been blogging much lately as I have simply been pretty wrapped up at home and I can't access at work any more. I should have LOTS to blog about when we return!

ALOHA everyone!