We set off from the ship at 8.30am headed for the west side of Maui. Just when you think you're on a remote tropical isle up pops a fast food restaurant or big box store from back home reminding us that we're still in America!
Upon arriving at the harbor, more quaint than the commercial harbor where the ship is docked, we boarded a catamaran for the hour long ride out to the Molokini crater. This is a crescent shaped little island, just the tip of the volcano below sea level, and listed as one of the top ten snorkeling destinations in the world. They fed us on the boat (breakfast number two!) while we sailed over the bumpy waves towards the island. As luck would have it February is one of the best months for whale watching in Hawaii. The whales migrate from Alaska down to Hawaii for the winter months to have their young before heading back to Alaska over the next few weeks and months. What a bonus for us! We were ecstatic when we began noticing the mists of water shooting up from the ocean, sprays from the whales' blow holes. We watched in delight as whales would emerge from the water, arch and then go back under. It was soon evident that we must be surrounded by hundreds of them because water spouts appeared in every direction, both near and in the distance. It was so wonderful to see these majestic creatures in their natural habitat, free to roam the open seas. However, it was much easier to see them than to photograph them so we have dozens of photos of open ocean with perhaps just the tip of a fin or tail showing above the surface! You'll just have to believe us that they were out there!
Once we arrived at the crater and the boat was anchored we gathered our gear. We donned our wetsuit tops, probably the least flattering item of clothing ever created, like squeezing sausage into a skin!
As we plunged into the chilly water there were fish right there to greet us. There were so many varieties, yellow, blue, fluorescent, striped and spotted. The water was very clear allowing us to view all the bursts of coral beneath us. Fish swam in schools, others alone. Some chased each other playfully, others maybe a little more menacingly! It was so much fun and we had almost two hours to enjoy it.
Back on the boat for more food! They cooked us a great barbecue lunch right on the boat. As we headed back towards Maui there was more opportunity for whale watching and they didn't disappoint. We spotted them all around us once again. So magical.
Once back on the ship we grabbed the cocktail of the day and lay on the deck for a while, listening to a fantastic live band singing the rock classics which made a welcome change form all the hula music we've been listening to for the last five days!! I declined the opportunity to sing along when the lead singer put a microphone in my face! I'll dance all day but please don't ask me to sing!
Tonight was formal night so it was a chance to put on the glad rags and drag ourselves away from the buffet! We ate in the formal dining room and agreed to share a table with other people. An older couple from SC joined us and what a fun, laughter-filled meal it was. It is so interesting finding out about other people's backgrounds and all the places they've travelled.
After dinner we took in a couple of shows before falling into bed. Another early excursion tomorrow when we dock on the big island.
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