Well, I got a few days behind...oh well, can't win em all! :-)
Day 3 was a lazy/fun/entertaining day. We started off the morning by sleeping in (finally) and a shopping expedition in Lahaina. I have always loved the Banyan tree that takes up the entire courtyard in front of the Courthouse, which mean I had to, of course, show it off to Tim's family!
We had lunch at the famous Hard Rock Cafe, with an excellent view of the ocean...too bad we were sitting in front of the window and therefore had a horrible backlighting problem!
We went with the Pacific Whale Foundation, so in addition to great whale watching and snorkeling, we got a play-by-play of what was happening in the ocean. I, unfortunately, don't have any pictures of us snorkeling, but just know that I stayed in the water the entire time Tim did! A huge accomplishment for someone who is ridiculously afraid of fish! :-)
Day 3 was a lazy/fun/entertaining day. We started off the morning by sleeping in (finally) and a shopping expedition in Lahaina. I have always loved the Banyan tree that takes up the entire courtyard in front of the Courthouse, which mean I had to, of course, show it off to Tim's family!
We had lunch at the famous Hard Rock Cafe, with an excellent view of the ocean...too bad we were sitting in front of the window and therefore had a horrible backlighting problem!
That explains all the shiny-ness...right...right?! Following our shopping excursion, we headed to the beach for some R&R and body-boarding.
Our beach had a lack of waves, as it is better known for its snorkeling. Tim decided to be our puller instead and Laurie and I had a great time being dragged over the coral reefs.
Tim and I had planned on giving a luau to the family for Christmas and this is the perfect night for that. We had a table at the Old Lahaina Luau, which is done pretty much right on the water. In fact, the stage is in the round and the only backdrop is the ocean! The dancers even used the beach area during the show. It was fantastic!
Waiting for the show to start
Our view of the water and a partial stage to the left
Unveiling the Pig
Hula Dancers!
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Day four was pretty much all about whale watching and snorkeling and boy did we do both of those! The sea was very choppy for our journey out to Lanai and back to shore, there were definitely people feeling it on the way back (if you know what I mean)! The whales were out in FULL FORCE the entire day, in fact, we even witnessed a "Maui Mugging!" Care to guess what that is? It's when a whale literally comes up to a boat a starts to "play" with it. I was SO thankful that we were on a large catamaran and not the tiny pontoon boat the whale was playing with, there were completely at the whale's mercy. Too close for comfort, in my opinionn!
Watching from the top deck
We went with the Pacific Whale Foundation, so in addition to great whale watching and snorkeling, we got a play-by-play of what was happening in the ocean. I, unfortunately, don't have any pictures of us snorkeling, but just know that I stayed in the water the entire time Tim did! A huge accomplishment for someone who is ridiculously afraid of fish! :-)
After our snorkel adventure, we were completely worn out, so we took the afternoon to nap and lounge around at the hotel before Tim and my final Hawaii dinner at the Pineapple Grill.
We got to sit outside and had a great view of the beautiful golf course and Patti had her first Shirley Temple...how can someone go so long without this delicious drink! Oh and she liked it, of course! :-)
We finished off the evening with ice cream and an impromptu photo shoot under the banyan tree in Lahaina!
We left the next day after a wonderful breakfast with the family and final walk on the beach. We spent the evening/New Year's Eve celebrating in Portland...but that a story for tomorrow!
Until then...HAPPY NEW YEAR!
