Hawaii 6: Whale watching and Luau

This is a view from the place we were staying in Maui. 

The 11th floor = wonderful views and 

drifting to sleep and waking up to the sound of breaking waves.

Morning whale watching excursion on this boat:

The guide said that this was one of his best tours in terms of being able to see whales.

The pictures make them seem a lot further than they really were. 

We saw a lot of breaching and the best spyhop the guide had ever seen: 

when the whale sticks its nose into the air.

We were also able to see a mother, baby, and the escort (the male "dating" the female) swimming together. 

These were Hawaiian Hunchbacks. 

They were about 30-40 feet; each foot weighs a ton.

Of course there was playing on the beach afterwards.

Although whale watching was spectacular, the highlight of the day was the cliff diving. 

Not because David, Claire, nor Elijah did it. 

They hadn't even invited Iris to go along since they thought she would be too scared 

(and they didn't tell Sybil because they knew she wouldn't be too scared). 

After they had finished jumping off the 30 foot cliff, 

they saw a girl climbing the cliff wall alone. 

David said to Elijah, "That can't be Iris." 

Elijah: "Dad, how many girls wear one-pieces, let alone have a haircut that short."

Sure enough, she jumped alone without hesitation.

That girl is toughening up!

And, she is not as afraid of critters anymore. Her sand crab:

Of course, that night we got shave ice and walked to the city center of 

Lahaina where a huge Banyan tree takes up the whole block.

The tree was brought there by Indian missionaries over 150 years ago.

The next morning was chill. We hung out at the beach that was right outside our apartment. 

It was the first time that I let myself enjoy: got in the ocean and played in the sand. 

I was the only adult out with the kids for much of the time, 

and I must say, it was one of my favorite activities of the trip.

My handiwork:

That night we went to a Luau.

The hotel where the Luau was held:

The dancing and costumes were wonderful.

Those women have magical arms.

One of the highlights of the night was teasing the teenaged boys about 

looking at the semi-naked women dancing. 

Also about videoing them dancing and posting it on social media.

David and I went out late that to take Sybil her PJs (she and Livy had several sleepovers). 

Here is a picture of the full rainbow over the ocean.

Iris said it's called a moonbow.

Hawaii 5: Maui

Road to Hana is one of the premier things to do on Maui.

It's about 65 miles of beautiful scenery.

I put on a scopolamine patch the night before to prevent carsickness. 

Little did I know, I got all of the anticholinergic side effects possible, 

couldn't see well enough to read for a day and a half.

We made a few stops. This was the first one. People were diving off a waterfall. 

There was a sign that was anti-tourists and their "toxic sunscreen." Apparently certain types of sunscreen are banned in Maui because they kill the reef.

More beautiful scenery

Then we stopped at a black sand beach.

Sybil trying to convince Livy to swim in the cold waves. Didn't work.

This man played a dirty trick on me. 

He talked in detail about his bounteous life insurance plan and 

then swam through huge waves, almost to China.

Gave me a heart attack.

Waimoku Falls hike in the Haleakala National Park

This was one of my favorite parts of the trip. 

I love hikes through beautiful places. 

Bamboo forest

It was like walking through a 40-foot wind chime 

with the wind knocking the bamboo against each other.

Proof that Sybil can no longer walk. Documented by Hunt:  

Apparently we didn't learn our lesson about ignoring "Keep Out" signs.

At least there wasn't a cop waiting for us this time.

 And the waterfall would have been worth it even if there was.

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Hawaii 4

We were staying in Turtle Bay so we explored the north side of the island on our last day.

It was a Sunday and since Hawaii is more strict about Covid, I doubted there would be any in-person church. So, we woke up at 6am to watch our Arizona ward Zoom.

On our way to the beaches, we picked up a homeless hitchhiker, Rob, who had a guitar and a sleeping bag strapped to his back and took him to church which was being held at a waterfall.

 

Rainbow heaven

Short black rock hike

The kids were sure they saw a herd of either 

shark, dolphins, or whale that were swimming among the surfers.

Then we checked out another beach with bigger waves: Waimea Beach.

They all loved the waves here. 

Jut as we were leaving, a lifeguard was putting up a caution sign because of the waves/undertow.

Sybil says at school she has earned the nickname "Shell Queen" 

because she has a knack for finding shells in the playground sand.

In Hawaii, the Shell Queen reigned.

Best açaí bowl I've ever had.

On the side of the road.

A few more pictures in front of the Hawaii temple.

Goodbye Oahu

Next stop: Maui