Maui - Day 4

I still can't believe that we get to do this. A week alone in Paradise? It's amazing!

We started bright and early this morning with a Snorkel Boat trip to Molokini, an ancient volcanic crater half submerged in the ocean. It was about an hour ride out to the reef so we enjoyed spotting sea turtles and a great view of Haleakala, the island's dormant volcano. The visibility on the reef was incredible. They say it's 120 feet! It was a bit windy so the waves rolled us around a bit, but it was still awesome! We saw an eel, two octopus, parrotfish, Hawaii's state fish the humuhumunukunukuapua'a (say that 5 times fast), "Gill", "Flo" and countless other fish. We had two hours to snorkel. We were the first ones off the boat to snorkel and one of the last ones back on. I guess other people got cold or bored. I don't get that. It was too much fun in the water. Our captain, Cap'n Dan was a fellow Washingtonian from Bellingham. We chatted for a few minutes about commercial fishing int the Puget Sound. Kinda fun to reminisce.

After Molikini and Kalua Pork sandwiches, we headed home for an afternoon siesta. Jeff slept FOREVER! :) I couldn't ever fall asleep so I headed down to the beach in front of our place and read while watching the wind kick up some decent surf. When Jeff woke up and found me down at the beach, we couldn't resist the waves much longer so we ran down to the local Dive Shop and rented Boogie Boards for the week. We spent the next few hours catching some waves. It was SO MUCH FUN! It just makes you feel like a little kid. The waves were pretty good with the wind and with the boogie board vs. body surfing, there is so much less sand in your swimsuit when you're done. Love it!

After a quick swim in the oceanfront pool to wash off, we got all decked out for a fancy night out. We strolled down the beach path hand in hand for a mile and a half to a really fancy resort called the Grand Wailea. Their grounds are beautiful, their pools are amazing, we walked past two luau's in progress, watched the sunset and enjoyed the ambiance of tiki torches, ocean breeze and the sound of waves crashing on the beach. It was perfect! We ate at their fancy, outdoor restaurant set on a huge deck over a salt water lagoon with a thatched roof, outdoor ceiling fans and chandeliers made from dozens of lights set inside individual bamboo fish traps hung from the ceiling. You could hear and see the fire dancers from the luau in the distance, hear the waves crashing and enjoy the low, ukelele music in the background. Talk about atmosphere! The price was steep but it was REALLY good food and an amazing setting. What a romantic evening. We felt like honeymooners!