maui

Maui

Our first view of Maui

Our last destination was a two day stay in Maui. The stark, jagged, green covered mountains that rose over the port city of Kahului seemed to dwarf the much higher (but broader) Haleokala Crater to the east. On day one, Erich and I took a rain forest hike on the northeastern side of the island with the funniest, German born, female tour guide, Ute. She gave us the goofiest, but frighteningly useful, water shoes to navigate the slippery ground of the forest and river trails and we were treated to delicious apple bananas pulled straight from a fallen tree. We saw some amazing waterfalls on our trek, though Erich and, consequently, I were not bold enough to brave the cold water lagoons.


Lush vegetation along our rain forest hike (left); our group heading back (middle); banana trees lining path (above)

The diversity of trees and vegetation is astonishing

One of three incredible waterfalls

Intricate spider web in the trees

Check out those sexy shoes!! (left); Mom and Jessica looking good (and Hawaiian) before the luau (above); a wind surfer riding the waves off of the Maui coast

After an early afternoon return to our cruise ship, we took a sunset whale watching cruise while mom and Jessica (and nearly three quarters of the ship) headed to the big luau. Boy were we glad we did. Not only did the ladies say the five hour luau only contained about 40 minutes of actual good entertainment, our whale boat came upon a pod of humpback whales that included two babies and hree adults, one of which literally surfaced within ten feet of our boat. And, surprisingly, neither of got sea sick despite the choppy waters!!

Kaho'olawe and the tiny island of Molokini (left)

The hills of Maui are perfect for these wind turbines which look really cool from our whale boat

A baby humpback breaches the surface

A humpback mama showing off

This whale came within 10 feet of our boat! (above); Erich in deep contemplation (left); Scott hanging on tightly as our boat cruises at top speed to port before dark (below left); the afternoon clouds provide for a colorful Maui sunset (below)

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