Monday August 6th we awoke to a beautiful mid 80%26#39;s day, full of sunshine. With the condo stocked from Costco, breakfast was at the condo. We just had a couple of things on the agenda day. First was to get our snorkel gear and boogie boards for the week. The best deal I found was at Maui Dive Shop. For $35 per week you got thier top of the line snorkel gear, a boogie board, plus a free afternoon snorkel crusie to either Molokini or Coral Gardens. For $35 I thought this was a great deal. The total tab at Maui Dive Shop came to $218.
We drove back to the condo dropped the kids off for some boogie boarding, and Liz and I headed into Lahaina. Lunch was at Kimo%26#39;s with a wonderful oceanside table and our first (and certainly not last) Lava Flows for the trip. I had their plate lunch, and Liz had the Fish and Chips, both were delicious. Lunch came to $40.
We spent the afternoon wandering through the Lahaina shops, just browsing but also looking for a Hawaiian Men%26#39;s wedding band for me. Liz had previously accepted my mother%26#39;s rings for her. We settled upon a two-tone, white gold with a yellow gold plumeria band around the ring, with a diamond cut edge. It is extremely nice, and only came to $185. I%26#39;m fortunate enough to wear a constant reminder of this wonderful trip all the time. It%26#39;s funny but I have never worn a wedding band before.
The late afternoon and evening was spent relaxing at the condo, a little boogie boarding in the ocean and a glorious Maui Sunset with Mai Tai in hand.
Tuesday August 7th was our first big activity that I had booked. I settled upon the Pacific Whale Foundation%26#39;s Molokini-Lanai Trip. I booked this trip for several reasons, number 1 were the hours which were 8:30 to 4:00. I%26#39;m not one for rolling out of bed at 6:00 on vacation! Second, it%26#39;s the only excursion with that itinerary, 3rd the price was right at $79 per person through Expedia with my son being $35, and fourth I wanted a bigger boat so the kids could get comfortable with being on the ocean. The total tab with fees came to just under $500.
Now I had taken a sunset cruise with PWF on my perevious Maui trip, so I had some history with them. We had a great time on that cruise. Some people criticize PWF for being a cattle call, but I haven%26#39;t felt that way. Sure there were about 120 people but the boat is big and the crew is well trained.
We headed out of Ma%26#39;alaea Harbor right on time at 8:30 and started heading out to Molokini. The captain did stop at a ';Turtle Town'; on the way out and we did get to see some of these natural wonders. We did get an unexpected treat on the way out as the captain spotted a dolphin pod and headed right over. We were cruising amongst several hundred dolphins, several got in formation, and swam right along with the boat. We were less than an hour into the trip and had already seen turtles and dolphins. It was going to be a great day.
We made it out to Molokini, the captain tied the boat in and we were ready for some snorkeling. The crater itself is very cool, but I felt the snorkeling was only average. I%26#39;ve had much better fish sightings walking in at Honalua Bay, but Molokini was still fun. Eveyone snorkeled with exception of my 14 year old daughter Kayla. She say%26#39;s she%26#39;s too claustriphobic to snorkle but more on that in a later chapter.
The captain got a weather update and it was to rough to head over to Lanai. We were a little disappointed but you can%26#39;t control the weather. The captain did help make it up by cruising around the backside of Molokini and we headed towards Maui to a snorkeling spot he called ';Coconuts';. Lunch was served while we crusied to Maui which consisted of burgers, chicken sandwiches, veggie burgers and hot dogs. Pasta salad, drinks and cookies rounded out our lunch. I felt their was plenty to eat and drink tthe entire trip. They served several snacks along the way. Alcoholic beverages were served after you finished snorkeling. Cocounut%26#39;s was a decent snorkeling sight, about the same fish count as Molokini. Several in our group saw turtles, and even an Octopus. My son had a blast just jumping off the boat, and sliding down the slide into the ocean. We finished snorkeling, settled back into our seats for a couple of Lava Flows and headed back into the harbor.
The evening was spent relaxing with a trip into Lahaina for some ice cream. It was just another beautiful day in paradise. We were in bed early, tomorrow was another big day as we were getting married!!! More on that in Chapter 4.
Family Trip Report Chapter 3 ';The Maui Griswolds';
Finally!! Hurry hurry with chapter 4 ... I%26#39;m enjoying this story!
Family Trip Report Chapter 3 ';The Maui Griswolds';
Love your reports. Keep them coming.
ooohhh this is great - cant wait to hear about tomorrow!
Love your reports. We also had a great experience with the Pacific Whale Company on that same trip. Glad you got to see the dolphins. We made it to Laini and saw dolphins there. Can%26#39;t wait for part 4. Michelle
Not sure what your stateside ';day job'; is, but you should consider writing...you have a real knack for helping your readers to really see and live your experiences. Congratulations...and keep it comin on...can%26#39;t wait for the wedding!
This is by far THE BEST trip report I have ever read! Can%26#39;t wait for chapter 4!!!
very interesting, I am very anxious for the next chapter.
Cindy
Great entertaining report. What%26#39;s the total tab thus far? Know you%26#39;re shooting for $10K. I%26#39;ve lost count. Keep it coming.
I feel like I%26#39;m right there with you. Love this Trip report. Can%26#39;t wait for the next chapter.
The WEDDING, can%26#39;t wait!
Carole
No comments:
Post a Comment