Road to Hana

After spending Monday on the catamaran and at the beach, we thought it would be a good idea not to spend all day Tuesday in the sun.

We drove the road to Hana. Our first stop was at Hookipa Beach to watch the surfers.

We bought lunch from a food truck to eat a little later on the Road to Hana.

This was the view from our picnic table.

We took a little hike after lunch.

The kids really enjoyed the hike.

We saw this pretty view at a rest stop along the road.

Another nice view along the road.

He saw several waterfalls.  We just pulled off at a wide spot in the road to see most of them.

At another rest stop, there was a waterfall across the street.

Dianna and Wayne

Chris did all the driving.  The road was very curvy and narrow and went to one lane around numerous blind curves.

Right before we got to Hana, we stopped at the Lava Tubes.  The kids loved getting their own flashlights for the self-guided tour.  Lydia pretended it was a microphone before we entered the cave.

This picture was taken from right inside the lava tube, looking at the entrance.    

The kids really liked walking around the cave.

We also walked through the red ti botanical maze.  Each kid took a turn leading us through parts of the maze.

After driving through the little town of Hana, you have to go back the way you came.  It was nice to see the pretty views again but we didn't stop any where.  We had a delicious tex-mex dinner at Milagros in Paia before heading back to hotel.

Catamaran to Lanai

On Monday last week, we did a day sail to the island of Lanai. The boat left from Lahaina.

Here is a look back at Maui from the boat.

Wesley and Lydia loved the boat ride.  I think they felt really comfortable after being on Random Wind the past two summers in St. Maarten.

We saw a lot of whales which was very exciting.  Unfortunately, we didn't have a dSLR with us to capture the amazing animals.

We all enjoyed the pineapple juice.

And the cinnamon rolls.  And the fresh fruit.  Right before we got to Lanai, they served yummy wraps.  No going hungry on Trilogy.

Here is a picture of the catamaran.

We walked to Hulopoe Beach but you could also take a shuttle van.  The hotel in the picture is The Four Season, one of two hotels on the island.

I snorkeled with Wesley and we saw lots of beautiful fish.  When he went back out with Chris, he used a prescription mask.  All of Trilogy's equipment was excellent.

Josiah wanted to try the snorkel mask - on the beach!  Trilogy says their youngest snorkeler was 18 months.  I think Josiah could do it with his backpack float.  Maybe we can practice in the pool this summer.

Lydia snorkeled for the first time. We tried so hard to get her to do it last year, but she kept saying, "I can't breath through my nose" and she wouldn't try it.  (Trilogy made everyone wear the snorkel vest.)

I was so happy she did it. She was even more thrilled than I was.

Wayne and Dianna enjoyed their van tour of the island after they spent some time on the beach.  A little after 3:00, the crew prepared a delicious meal.  Wesley and Lydia (and later more kids) enjoyed watching the stir fry.

We were served salad, chicken, peas, and stir fry noodles and veggies.  Yum!

One of the crew entertained us with tricks.

We saw more whales on the way back to Maui (but again no photos of them).

Dessert was served on the boat, vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce.  Lydia came over and asked us, "Can I have some ice cream."  I commented to Chris, "Of course, Wesley didn't ask us and I'm sure he is having seconds."  Later one of the passengers laughingly told me, "Wesley's had three ice creams."  After indulging in ice cream, Wesley hung out with the captain.

The trip was supposed to be eight and a half hours, thankfully it was only eight hours and fifteen minutes.  Josiah lost it at the eight hour mark.  We thought he would nap on the way back from Lanai, but he fought off the nap and later started melting down.  He really lost it in the car on the way back to our hotel before finally falling asleep on the short ride.

The Banyan trees in Lahaina were really amazing.

We had such a fun day.  As the guide books for Maui say, "Trilogy is the most expensive, but it's worth it."  Everything was so well organized.

Haleakala

We got back yesterday from Maui.  It was a wonderful trip and we loved where we stayed.  (I tried to move Josiah out of the shadow for a better picture but he was done cooperating for pictures.)

The resort was beautiful.

Here is a view of the beach.

We had a 7 AM flight on Friday morning so we got up really early.  Our flight was delayed for numerous reasons, one thing after another, and we thought the hour and a half delay would make us miss our connection in Phoenix.  We were supposed to land in one terminal and leave from another one, but when we pulled into the gate the captain announced, "Maui passengers, your plane is at the gate beside of us."  They held our next flight for the five of us and at least two other people and our luggage.  I admit that I shed a few tears of relief when we got on the flight to Maui.  

It was two long flights, but the kids did great.  Hawaii is six hours behind east cost time (the islands don't observe daylight saving time).  Lydia was up at 3 AM asking for food. Chris and I slept on and off until 5 and then just got up with her and Josiah got up at 6.  The time change didn't affect Wesley going or coming home.  

Every morning but the first morning, we had breakfast in our villa.  The first morning, we walked down the path beside the beach to Duke's and had a wonderful breakfast.  Here is a picture of Chris' mom and dad.

Since Lydia got up so early, she quickly fell asleep in the van.

We drove up to Haleakala National park on Saturday.  Haleakala means "house of the sun".  Some people say it last erupted in 1790 based on maps and others say 1490 based on scientific readings, but geologists claim it could erupt again.

It is beautiful up there.  We drove up the mountain when it was almost clear and we climbed above the few clouds.

Near the summit.

It was really neat to see the cloud rolling in below us.  It looked like we were flying.

Another panoramic.

A view of the parking lot at the upper visitor's center and the area below the mountain.

It was a fun day.  Before bed, the kids got to swim in the pool briefly for the second night in a row.

Easter Sunday

On Easter Sunday, the kids and I made Empty Tombs for breakfast.  We used this recipe. I liked reading the Bible verses that went with the recipe.  I was surprised the kids didn't love eating the tombs but they really enjoyed making them.

We were able to get a few photos of the kids before church.

Wesley took this picture of Chris and me.

Sunday night, the kids dyed eggs.

 Only Wesley wanted to eat the eggs.  He loves boiled eggs.

 My dad helped the kids with the eggs.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter.