More Maui

UAggie and Tim left for home on Tuesday evening so I'm on my own for a few days.

Yesterday I took a big step in my snorkeling career. For those of you who are unaware my motto has always been; "why would you get a perfectly dry face wet". To date here in Maui I have snorkeled every day but always within 50 yards of shore. So yesterday I participated in a snorkeling cruise. The boat was a catamaran and about 50 people were onboard. Our first stop was Molokini Island which was about a 45 minute ride from the dock. We anchored in about 40' of water and snorkeled between the boat and the island which was about 100 yards away. The water was crystal clear and the fish were everywhere. All sizes and colors. I rented an underwear camera and hopefully got some good pictures. The water was VERY choppy and after about 15 minutes the captain called everyone back onto the boat. 

Our next stop was in much calmer water at a location called "Turtle Town". I'd not see any turtles but several people did and there was also an octopus siting. Lunch was served and we began the 75 minute ride back to the dock. By that time the wind had really picked up with 4-6' swells. Fortunately I had taken seasick pills and was one of the few who suffered no ill effects. 

This morning I got up at 4:00 with the intention of seeing the sunrise at the summit of Haleakala at 10,023'. There was nearly a 30 minute wait at the National Park entry station and I barely made it. There was a crowd of several hundred. It was really cool. 

I then hiked about 4 miles and 2,500' down into the crater. The hike was great but I must admit the hike up was difficult but I took my time and thoroughly enjoyed the entire 8 miles.

This evening I witnessed the sunset at sea level standing in the water. 

A great day!

ILYB

    Sunrise at 10,023'

    In the crater

    In the crater II

    In the crater III. The trail

    Sunset

Maui, Hawaii

I am in Maui for a vacation that Peg and I had scheduled for last October 20. So here I am nearly a year later. It's tough but I am going to make the best of my time here. I invited Peg's brother Tim and my sister-in-law Aggie to join me. We are staying at a friend's condo in Kehei. The beach is just across the street. I arrived early in the afternoon last Saturday and Tim and Aggie came in that evening.

The first couple of days we spent most of our time relaxing at the beach and the pool while trying get our body clocks reset.

On Tuesday morning we headed up to Haleakala National Park. Haleakala is a dormant volcano with the summit ridge being at just over 10,000'. We travelled from sea level to 10,000' in about 45 minutes. The temperature went down 36 degrees. In the early '90s Peg and I rode bicycles from near the summit down to nearly sea level. 

On Monday evening we attended a Luau. The weather was perfect as was the food and entertainment.  I purchased a Hawaiian shirt for the occasion. Peg always teased me for wearing solid colored Oxford buttoned collared shirts for occasions such as a luau. So I hope she noticed.

Yesterday we circumvented the eastern half of the island starting with the road to Hana. The road to Hana is VERY winding with the top speed at around 15 MPH. We did short hikes to a black sand beach, a red sand beach and the Seven Sacred Pools. We arrived back in Kihei about 8:30. 

    Haleakala Crater in the clouds

    Handsome in my non-Oxford shirt

    The luau stage at sunset

    The black sand beach.

    Tim and Aggie at the red sand beach.

    Two of the lower pools.