Maui (Day 5)
Monday, March 19: Trilogy Snorkel & Sail, Luau, Hula Grill
My 45th birthday began with outdoor Zumba in the early morning darkness, since we had to leave the hotel just after 7am to drive to Maalea Harbor for our 8am "Discover Molokini" tour with Trilogy Excursions. Unfortunately, the strong winds that had swarmed in yesterday afternoon hadn't receded, so going to Molokini Crater as planned was no longer possible. Instead, Captain Brian took us to Olowalu Reef for our first snorkel site. The entire crew was very friendly & helpful, serving the 50ish passengers with fruit, cinnamon rolls, and beverages as we sailed to the reef. I'm not sure how they kept their balance with all of the wind! I was bundled up in multiple layers, including my black mesh hoodie and blue windbreaker.
One of the crew gave brief guidelines about tips for using the snorkel equipment and provided a thorough lesson about reef conservation and the damage caused to coral's ability to procreate due to certain chemicals in most sunscreens. We had read about this in our Lonely Planet guide and purchased a sunscreen labeled "reef safe" at Lamont's gift shop at the Sheraton, but when I read the ingredients more closely, I realized that it still contained one of the bad benzone substances, so we decided to avoid using it and take advantage of the sunscreen being offered on board instead.
When we arrived at the reef, we got suited up in our snorkel gear, including short-sleeved wet suit tops (yay!) and then hit the water to explore the site. Mr. E and I entered by jumping from the side gate instead of descending the stairs that lower into the water at the stern of the catamaran. We swam inland and heard one of the crew calling us over to the side of the reef, where we saw our first of many honu of the day. We hung out for a bit over in that area and were rewarded with more honu sightings, although Mr. E wouldn't let me follow the big one out to sea... Once we turned back into the center of the reef, we discovered the turtle cleaning station with more honu, including a little one that I followed as it came up towards the surface and poked up its snout twice for some air. Awesome!!!
After about 30 minutes in the water, I was getting really chilled, so we kicked back to the boat to get dry and warm up. Eventually, everyone returned from the reef, and Captain Brian piloted us to another snorkel site near a drainpipe. Mr. E and I (and quite a few other passengers) decided to skip a second dip in the water, and later reports of no honu in the area confirmed our decision to remain dry and warm on the boat.
Before settling in for lunch, we moved to a calmer and more sheltered cove. The crew brought around plates of salad, rice, teriyaki chicken, and sweet rolls as well as beer, cocktails, and other beverages. When most folks had finished up, we got underway again back toward Maalea harbor, getting some great views of the shore and Haleakala rising above the clouds along the way. The wind was even stronger on the return trip!
We finally arrived back at the dock, safe and sound but very, very windblown. Mr. E bought a Trilogy Excursions visor, and we returned to the hotel through the typical Lahaina-area traffic. Both of us were a bit sleepy due to the early morning and windy conditions, so we napped briefly and then Mr. E worked on a Trip Advisor review for Banyan Tree Divers while I updated the travel journal.
We could see and hear the luau preparations just beyond our lanai, but our "cocktail only" tickets didn't give us access until 6pm, shortly before the main show began. We each enjoyed an adult beverage as we watched the dancing and witnessed a gorgeous sunset over the ocean. The performers even paused for a bit to let the audience try to see the "green flash" as the glowing sun sank below the horizon line.
After the show, we headed back to Hula Grill to sit at the chef's counter and take advantage of the special prix fixe 3-course chef's tasting menu for $27/person. We started with lobster and scallop pot-stickers for Mr. E and a kale salad with roasted beets and feta for me. Mr. E got a small steak for his entree, and I ordered the fresh fish of the day, which came with a yummy quinoa & veggie mixture on the side.
Both of us finished with the mini pineapple upside down cake for dessert. We also munched on fresh taro chips as we waited for our second course.
What a wonderful birthday! This was a day full of "mahalo moments," for sure!
My 45th birthday began with outdoor Zumba in the early morning darkness, since we had to leave the hotel just after 7am to drive to Maalea Harbor for our 8am "Discover Molokini" tour with Trilogy Excursions. Unfortunately, the strong winds that had swarmed in yesterday afternoon hadn't receded, so going to Molokini Crater as planned was no longer possible. Instead, Captain Brian took us to Olowalu Reef for our first snorkel site. The entire crew was very friendly & helpful, serving the 50ish passengers with fruit, cinnamon rolls, and beverages as we sailed to the reef. I'm not sure how they kept their balance with all of the wind! I was bundled up in multiple layers, including my black mesh hoodie and blue windbreaker.
When we arrived at the reef, we got suited up in our snorkel gear, including short-sleeved wet suit tops (yay!) and then hit the water to explore the site. Mr. E and I entered by jumping from the side gate instead of descending the stairs that lower into the water at the stern of the catamaran. We swam inland and heard one of the crew calling us over to the side of the reef, where we saw our first of many honu of the day. We hung out for a bit over in that area and were rewarded with more honu sightings, although Mr. E wouldn't let me follow the big one out to sea... Once we turned back into the center of the reef, we discovered the turtle cleaning station with more honu, including a little one that I followed as it came up towards the surface and poked up its snout twice for some air. Awesome!!!
After about 30 minutes in the water, I was getting really chilled, so we kicked back to the boat to get dry and warm up. Eventually, everyone returned from the reef, and Captain Brian piloted us to another snorkel site near a drainpipe. Mr. E and I (and quite a few other passengers) decided to skip a second dip in the water, and later reports of no honu in the area confirmed our decision to remain dry and warm on the boat.
Before settling in for lunch, we moved to a calmer and more sheltered cove. The crew brought around plates of salad, rice, teriyaki chicken, and sweet rolls as well as beer, cocktails, and other beverages. When most folks had finished up, we got underway again back toward Maalea harbor, getting some great views of the shore and Haleakala rising above the clouds along the way. The wind was even stronger on the return trip!
We finally arrived back at the dock, safe and sound but very, very windblown. Mr. E bought a Trilogy Excursions visor, and we returned to the hotel through the typical Lahaina-area traffic. Both of us were a bit sleepy due to the early morning and windy conditions, so we napped briefly and then Mr. E worked on a Trip Advisor review for Banyan Tree Divers while I updated the travel journal.
We could see and hear the luau preparations just beyond our lanai, but our "cocktail only" tickets didn't give us access until 6pm, shortly before the main show began. We each enjoyed an adult beverage as we watched the dancing and witnessed a gorgeous sunset over the ocean. The performers even paused for a bit to let the audience try to see the "green flash" as the glowing sun sank below the horizon line.
After the show, we headed back to Hula Grill to sit at the chef's counter and take advantage of the special prix fixe 3-course chef's tasting menu for $27/person. We started with lobster and scallop pot-stickers for Mr. E and a kale salad with roasted beets and feta for me. Mr. E got a small steak for his entree, and I ordered the fresh fish of the day, which came with a yummy quinoa & veggie mixture on the side.
Both of us finished with the mini pineapple upside down cake for dessert. We also munched on fresh taro chips as we waited for our second course.
What a wonderful birthday! This was a day full of "mahalo moments," for sure!
posted by jms | 7:45 PM
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