Today the rush on "must-finish-the-food" push began :) I think the realization that everyone is packing up to leave tomorrow or the next day brought on a feeling of...not panic, but urgency, maybe?...when we looked in the fridge and freezer and counters and cupboards. This wasn't the highlight of the day, though, by far.
Everyone headed to the docks in Lahaina to catch boats this morning. The majority of everyone were boarding a snorkeling adventure for half the day. Brad, Andrea and our family, hopped on a boat to go out and see some whales up close.
We went through the orientation, we were briefed on all the rules, walked down to the boat, past the dead puffer-fish, got on board and were off. As soon as we set out of the harbor, a whale breached no more than 50 feet in front of the boat. Of coarse, it was so soon that we didn't have our cameras ready. But now with cameras out and in hand, we continued our adventure. It was so very interesting. They told us all about the migration, what they eat, how much they eat, about the babies, how much fat is in whale milk, why they breach, everything you ever wanted to know about them, we learned. It was so cool! We saw several more calves with their mommas. They put the microphone under the water and we could hear the ruckus of 'talking' going on beneath the surface. The guide said that if you go under the water just 5 or so feet while you're in the water back at the beach, we can hear the same sounds with just our ears alone...Pretty cool.
It was a great trip out on the water. The kids had fun, we learned a lot and we got to spend some time with Brad and Andrea. And it was just long enough too.
We debarked the ship and got one last glimpse of the dead, puffed-up, puffer fish floating in the water. The kids were pretty excited about that. From there, Brad and Andrea and us parted ways. We headed back up to Kahana to hit some shops that the kids wanted to pick up some souvenirs at. They had fun picking out treasures to remind them of this trip and treasures to give to others to let them know that they were thinking of them.
As we drove back, we passed by everyone, who were back from their snorkeling outing and now doing some shopping at the open air market down the street from the condo. So we stopped with them.
When we got back at the condo, Matthew and I laid down for a while to rest up for the late night at the luau. While we were resting, others rested up also. And others took advantage of some last minute shopping. Bethany went with her aunties to check out some other stores. Dad and Kristi enjoyed a relaxing pool-side massage.
Soon it was time for everyone to get ready for the evening. It was a change that everyone was getting ready to head to the same place for the same reason. It was a really fun "last night" plan. We all congregated in the condo and everyone was so hula-hula beautiful. Everyone sporting a nice dark tan, hairs all combed pretty, wearing island flowery clothing, girls with flowers in their hair, puka necklaces, dresses with flip-flops...everyone looked so put together and Hawaiian. Very sharp looking group!
So we piled into the vehicles and headed to the Marriott Luau. We all piled out and they got the vehicles parked. We walked through the corridors of this beautiful hotel/resort as we made our way to where the luau was. We found our tables and seats and got some drinks and started to get into the atmosphere of the night. The evening sun was bright, but it was lovely and pleasant. We went out by the water to take several photos of different groupings of people and got some taken by the professionals they had there as well. We all worked well together.
We continued to visit, take photos, laugh, talk, visit the 'drinking fountain' ;), take more pictures. Then the food in the feast was explained and we all served up. My goodness! The food was great! Salads, macadamia crusted mahi-mahi, the traditional pork, steak, chicken, poi, breads, this salmon tomato thing, rice, noodles...
Everyone headed to the docks in Lahaina to catch boats this morning. The majority of everyone were boarding a snorkeling adventure for half the day. Brad, Andrea and our family, hopped on a boat to go out and see some whales up close.
We went through the orientation, we were briefed on all the rules, walked down to the boat, past the dead puffer-fish, got on board and were off. As soon as we set out of the harbor, a whale breached no more than 50 feet in front of the boat. Of coarse, it was so soon that we didn't have our cameras ready. But now with cameras out and in hand, we continued our adventure. It was so very interesting. They told us all about the migration, what they eat, how much they eat, about the babies, how much fat is in whale milk, why they breach, everything you ever wanted to know about them, we learned. It was so cool! We saw several more calves with their mommas. They put the microphone under the water and we could hear the ruckus of 'talking' going on beneath the surface. The guide said that if you go under the water just 5 or so feet while you're in the water back at the beach, we can hear the same sounds with just our ears alone...Pretty cool.
It was a great trip out on the water. The kids had fun, we learned a lot and we got to spend some time with Brad and Andrea. And it was just long enough too.
We debarked the ship and got one last glimpse of the dead, puffed-up, puffer fish floating in the water. The kids were pretty excited about that. From there, Brad and Andrea and us parted ways. We headed back up to Kahana to hit some shops that the kids wanted to pick up some souvenirs at. They had fun picking out treasures to remind them of this trip and treasures to give to others to let them know that they were thinking of them.
As we drove back, we passed by everyone, who were back from their snorkeling outing and now doing some shopping at the open air market down the street from the condo. So we stopped with them.
When we got back at the condo, Matthew and I laid down for a while to rest up for the late night at the luau. While we were resting, others rested up also. And others took advantage of some last minute shopping. Bethany went with her aunties to check out some other stores. Dad and Kristi enjoyed a relaxing pool-side massage.
Soon it was time for everyone to get ready for the evening. It was a change that everyone was getting ready to head to the same place for the same reason. It was a really fun "last night" plan. We all congregated in the condo and everyone was so hula-hula beautiful. Everyone sporting a nice dark tan, hairs all combed pretty, wearing island flowery clothing, girls with flowers in their hair, puka necklaces, dresses with flip-flops...everyone looked so put together and Hawaiian. Very sharp looking group!
So we piled into the vehicles and headed to the Marriott Luau. We all piled out and they got the vehicles parked. We walked through the corridors of this beautiful hotel/resort as we made our way to where the luau was. We found our tables and seats and got some drinks and started to get into the atmosphere of the night. The evening sun was bright, but it was lovely and pleasant. We went out by the water to take several photos of different groupings of people and got some taken by the professionals they had there as well. We all worked well together.
We continued to visit, take photos, laugh, talk, visit the 'drinking fountain' ;), take more pictures. Then the food in the feast was explained and we all served up. My goodness! The food was great! Salads, macadamia crusted mahi-mahi, the traditional pork, steak, chicken, poi, breads, this salmon tomato thing, rice, noodles...
While we were busy doing all this, the sun began to set, putting on quite a beautiful show. We took a break from the table and got together for some more sunset shots over by the water. It was so gorgeous. While photos were finishing up, again, the hosts were beginning hula dance lessons on the stage. All the kids-Bethany, Matthew, Niko, and Ava-Went up to learn a hula dance. It was so fun and they did so well. We returned to our seats, and visited, finished up eating and then the desserts came on out.
By the time our bellies were beyond full, the show was gearing up to begin- The story of Hawaii. It was really fun and entertaining. We saw ladies performing from the trees on silks-a kind of circus act type thing where they twist themselves up and dance suspended in the air using two hanging silk sashes...There were drummers, hula dancers, men dancers, fire walkers, stories of surfing the big waves, fire breathers...Fun, fun...
We had the opportunity to meet the fire-walker/breather afterwards. The boys were so impressed by them and in complete awe as they stood next to him to get their photo taken. It was so cute.
It was a great evening, full of laughter, good times and great memories.
We got the kids all tucked in bed and then I went out with Sarah, Dave, Brad, and Jesse to the Sports Page to shoot some pool and hang out some more. It was more so the guys playing pool, but Sarah and I humored them a bit by joining in. Unless you're talking about the billiards on my cell phone, I don't play normally :)...But it was fun still and nice to talk with Sarah. Jesse headed back early because he was not feeling too hot...Soon, we all headed back.
It was such a great week and a great evening to wrap it all up in. So sad that we're packing up tomorrow.
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