Maui Day 4 (Snorkeling)
And here we resume the Hawaii recaps! I know you are all relieved annoyed.
Day 4 was our big snorkeling trip. But no snorkeling trip is complete without a concert first, especially starring a nekked little kid playing a blue ukulele.
Have I mentioned I forgot one important thing while packing for Hawaii? My contacts. The things that would allow me to snorkel in the place I flew halfway around the world to go snorkeling in? Luckily I have most excellent coworkers. Erika broke into my house (with a key) and grabbed some of my contacts and then Jill overnighted them to me. The photos below are made possible by them. Thanks, ladies!
We took a catamaran ride out to the south side of the island. It was a seriously nice boat. And nice friends to hang with, of course.
Bryan likes to see how deep he can go. Boom chika wow. I, on the other hand, was fairly waterlogged by the harsh waves. It was completely calm the whole boat ride, and when we go to our snorkel spot, the sea erupted all over us. Declan refused to get in. Err, more like screamed and wailed not to get in. So we took turns hanging out with him in the boat.
Somehow I managed to take a picture of the ladder on my way out. What the??? I told you it was choppy.
And Bryan likes to go deep.
OK, so, no disrespect to Japanese tourists, but WHAT is the deal with the peace signs in all their photos? Jeff and Danielle have also seen them doing it all over the globe. Personally I think they will look back at those photos and cringe, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make fun of them NOW, does it?
We had really clear water, even with the choppy waves. We saw a bunch of fish, several sea turtles and Bryan even saw an octopus!
I cannot believe the nice photos I got from the cheapie underwater camera.
The boat was the Kapalua Kai, and I highly recommend them if you go to Lahaina! Great crew, nice food… and we had lovely POG + vodka drinks after the snorkeling! No photo with the drinks for once, though. I have been told by my mother-in-law that all the photos of me have alcoholic beverages in my hands. Doh!
I got really far away from the boat. And nearly pooped my pants when I looked back and realized how far I was going to have to swim.
Declan made a little friend on board. Well, not “little” precisely, since he was 8 years old – but the two of them hit it off like peas and carrots… meaning they talked each others ears off.
And look, they let Declan drive the boat!
Declan took control of one of the underwater cameras. I’ll spare you the photos of the floor and the walls.
Ahh, my boys.
Here is one of my fave pics from the trip. I just love it! And look! At our second stop, we got Declan in the water! He even put his face in with his snorkel mask and saw a puffer fish. He has yet to stop talking about it!
And here we are, back on dry land, walking down to Whaler’s Village for dinner. I was using the remote and auto-timer but apparently didn’t actually look through the view finder when setting the camera down.
While we were walking down to dinner, SANTA appeared offshore on an outrigger, being rowed by his elves! Declan was BESIDE himself. He followed us all the way down the beach.
Then Santa pulled up exactly at the restaurant we were going to. How’s that for timing? Santa asked Declan what he wanted for Christmas. Declan said, “I already told you.” Ha! Shows that impertinence is inherited! Santa said, “You will have to remind me, I have so much on my mind right now!” And then they hung loose.
When we went out to see the boat, Mama didn’t quite get “hang loose” right. Ah well, I tried.
We had dinner at The Hula Grill, which we were surprised to learn were the same people that owned Kimo’s. No wonder, we loved this place too.
I had the ubiquitous macadamia nut crusted mahi mahi, but it was pure bliss here.
After dinner, I tried to get more shots of the full moon. Oh well, goofy light paintings are fun too.
The boys relaxed in the hammocks while I played.
And here is the view from our hotel window. Across the way it says Mele Kalikimaka and also Hau’oli Makahikihou (Happy New Year!)
Tomorrow: Christmas Eve.
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Gorgeous pics, and you’re making me want to go to Maui!
i so love your recaps and the pictures just make the posts. he likes to go deep- HA. you’re cracking me up.
i know it is my first day back to work and all but i sure would like to go on a (real) vacation.
Ahhhh…I warmed up just looking at those beautiful Hawaii pics! Thanks!
Your vacation recaps are delightful. One thing is clear. You appreciate life Aimee.
now THAT looks like a fun day!
Beautiful! The light is so clear there, isn’t it?
Another beautiful day.
I’m very impressed with your underwater camera shots.
I am going to be so sad when these recaps are over!!!
Awesome! THe Santa outrigger is the coolest. And Mele Kalikimaka is one of my most favorite Christmas songs ever.
Awesome, awesome pics!!!!
It’s so fun to “travel” along with you!
This sure beats all the rain we’re having here today!
Lovely, as usual.
That first picture of Declan is hella cute. Little rockstar.
Those cheapie underwater cameras are actually quite good. SecondSon took one with him on his trip to Europe this summer and got some great shots at the U.K. Sailing Academy. Particularly great since their light is nowhere near as good as Hawaii’s.
Great pics and thanks for sharing. This is as close to Hawaii (or a vacation, for that matter) as I’ll get this year.
They should hire you for the Hawaiian Tourist Board. I want to go immediately. I’m glad you had such a great time.
I’m so jealous! What fun…
I love Declan’s comment to Santa. What a smart kid you have there! I think you’ll have your hands full over the years… wait until he’s a teenager! *snicker*
Looking forward to more!
Wow. I am drooling over the recaps and all the great photos! Looks like a great time! I wanna go! 🙂
Declan cracks me up!
Oh, jealous me. Lucky you.
Hey, I have a little something for you at my place today!
wow. looks lkike so much fun. and your underwater camera DID rock. the water must have been really clear – i’ve only managed to get shots that crisp in pools.
What a cool Claus.
I just found you through the BlogHer link, and what a fun vacation!
Thanks so much, everyone!!!