Friday

Friday started off with a visit to the concierge, where we scheduled a snorkeling adventure for Saturday. We headed up to Napili and ate breakfast at a small restaurant called the Gazebo, located in a gazebo right off of Napili Bay. We shared a short stack of banana, pineapple, and macadamia nut pancakes with homemade whipped cream and coconut syrup. It was so good, we didn't want to stop eating! After that, we packed our hiking gear and headed back to Iao Valley State Park, with a stop at Maui Tropical Plantation. Coconuts, avocados, pineapples, guava, passion fruit, etc. are all grown at Maui Tropical Plantation. They also grow and roast coffee. We bought some coffee to make in our hotel room and some Macadamia flavored coffee to bring home. They also have some beautiful gardens that you can wander around in and a couple spider monkeys. We hiked around Iao Valley State Park for about an hour, and Michael took many pictures. The Iao Needle is a stunning mountain, and we learned more about the history of Hawaii. We also bought a couple of handmade necklaces from a pregnant woman who was selling them at the top of the hike.

In the afternoon, we made a stop at Ka'anapali Beach, probably the most famous beach in Maui. The sun was out but the wind was blowing like crazy. Michael got in and got beat up by the waves. I tried to get in but after getting knocked over a couple times I got back out. We walked up the beach and sat at the Hula Grill Barefoot Bar to have a cold drink. After getting showered, we headed to Maui Brewing Company for happy hour. It is a warehouse style building with empty beer kegs for light fixtures. Michael tried the Coconut Porter (I don't like dark beers, but it was yummy!) and I tried Maui Wowie Smoked Hemp Ale! It seemed to be more of a local hangout than a tourist-y place, and our waiter was really friendly. We left for dinner reservations at Kobe Steakhouse, which Uncle Kieth suggested. It was a fun place - Benihana style, where the chef cooks at your table. We shared a table for 8 with a group from Washington State. Michael had steak, scallops, and shrimp, and I tried some sushi. I had a Lahaina Roll - a California Roll with alfalfa sprouts. All of our food was very good. After dinner, we walked around Front Street in Lahaina and visited several local galleries, even meeting the artist in one.

Today we are going on a snorkeling cruise to Honolua Bay. It's a little north of where we are staying, and we're looking forward to seeing the island from a boat. Also hoping to see some whales. Right now is the best time for whale sightings. They migrate down to Hawaii during the winter months to mate and give birth. We have also heard the Honolua Bay is full of turtles! That's it for now - we are having trouble loading any pictures because of the weak wifi connections but we will try again!