Volcanos and more!

We had two great outings around the island. We did take a ride on a glass bottom boat and cruised the reefs looking for fish and other creatures. Up top we saw lots of sea turtles. The kids LOVED it.

Later in the week we went to Haleakala - House of the Sun. It was a 10,023 foot climb to the top, via car. There were a lot of switchbacks so it was lucky that A was driving. M took a dramamine and K jabbered the entire time. The volcano's last eruption was in 1790. Our guide book says that it is the world's largest dormant volcano (but is considered to be "active, but not currently erupting.") Good thing the girls didn't know that.

(the picture of the green lush mountains are the West Maui Mountains - a range that we had to pass several times to get to and from the other side othe mountain). A mentioned that they filmed the movie, "Jurassic Park" and the tv show "Lost" here. I can see why.

ps. Beary had to come and see the sights with Miss K.

Get a little Hula in your life!

Don't get Cheeky with us! No this doesn't seem as painful as it looks... The girls had a good time learning how to Hula from one of the staff members. They were pretty good! Couldn't get A to try it... he went out snorkeling off the beach (picture above). Both M and I tried it too. It was so much fun seeing M gliding around the surface pointing to each new fish. At times she swam so fast I could hardly keep up with her. It is amazing (and you always hear this or see it on Nature) to see all the different colored and shaped fish there are in the ocean. Their state fish is called the, "Humahumanukanuka apu 'a" which is a song in High School Musical 2. At one point when A and I were snorkeling we found ourselves in a school of Unicorn fish (big protruding noses, above photo from the aquarium). There must have been at least 100 of them. We also saw a seat turtle and a mini moray eel. The surf is very strong along the beach and we did get K in for a dip (but she had on two life jackets). Maybe next time!

Relaxing & Exploring

Try it... you may like it!

That seemed to be the theme! Our mornings seemed to be spent by the pool... glorious 85 degree weather with trade winds on our backs. The R Team all tried SNUBA-ing in the pool. M and Dad and Mom loved it and K tried really hard. And the afternoon/evening was spent going to the closest town, Lahaina. And almost everyday there was a rainbow -- if not a double rainbow. Glorious! Our host/neighbor, S, found a great place to eat that was cheap and was of Hawaiian flavor. Poi, coconut fried shrimp, spinach like leaves wrapped around pork, Lava Flows and Sassy Wahines were consumed. A great ending to the day. More later...

Aloha!

Resort day

We spent the first day just exploring the resort and relaxing. There were two pools and one with a HUGE twisting slide. A hot tub, if you got cold. The bar was handy and we took advantage of that -- new drink "Lava Flow" very yummy. A and R followed the Patriots game and were astonished by all the Charger's fans. The girls were so excited about the HUGE Koi fish pond. We explored another resort close by and the Whaler's Village (a shopping plaza). The whales were spouting off in the distance and it was a glorious evening capped with steak tips grilled to perfection by A. The girls ate mac and cheese. Go figure.

Team R takes on Maui

ALOHA!

* Above pictures shows off our hula girls, the pool and a rainbow right out our window

Where does the adventure begin? The R Team woke up on Saturday 2:30am (East Coast Time) and ready to go by 3:30am. M woke up before we could even wake her -- and she was all excited to go! K didn't stop talking the entire time to the airport. Dad and Mom hung on. Met up with the B Team (our neighbors and hosts) It was a 5 hour flight to Phoenix, Arizona with an hour and a half overlay then back on board. The flight to Maui was 6 hours (and 4 hours into the flight our battery packs died for the DVD player). UGH. We arrived in Maui around 3:30pm (Hawaiian time) and got our bags, rental car and hit the Costco for cheap food (only had 5 minutes for the place was closing). It was an hour drive plus to our place we called home "The Westin Resort" at Kaanapali Beach. We saw a little scenery, but it was getting dark. Dinner and then bed. Total travel & awake time 22 hours. The girls did awesome!!!

c.

7 Inches GONE!

M decided on Saturday that her hair was getting too long... it was too heavy and it took too long to blowdry. So off with her hair! She's not too pleased about it. I warned her, but to no avail. Now she's walking around with hoods over her head. School is going to be a blast I'm sure of it. I think she looks smashing! Don't you?

You say it is your birthday!

We celebrated three times for K's 4th b-day! First up, she shared the lime light with Buppa as he turned a whopping 75 years old! We had a great meal with the G's of Walpole (yummy ribs). Then K had Oma's cake at Margo's... then today we had 15 little princesses & fairies arrive (for a two hour tour). They had a blast! Balloons, Freeze Dancing, decorating wands and painting nails.. who could ask for more? Oh yeah... there were cupcakes. None of this could have happend without A (my right hand man) and especially Miss S (she's the queen of party planning and executing). We're all a little bit tired tonight and will call it an early one. Hope you had a great weekend and a wonderful week ahead!

Tally ho!

c.