Maui Memories - Day 6

We had to be at the airport around 2pm, so had a good chunk of the day to enjoy before flying home. We still needed to find the elusive sea turtle for Keira, so we made a point to get up early and head back to Napili/Kapalua to ensure we could find parking and have time to look. We arrived and were desperately searching by 6:30 that morning. I read every online review and tourist site that provided advice on how to find sea turtles. We searched every spot mentioned. After an hour, we were starving and decided to find food, ask around again and circle back if we needed to. Keira was very sad and I felt like we let her down.

To make it up to her, we agreed to take her back to Slappy Cakes before going back to the hotel to pack up the rest of our things and check out. That cheered her up, but we knew she was still very disappointed. 

After checking out of the hotel (check out time was 10am - early if you ask me!), we planned our route to take advantage of the day en route to the airport. We headed back to Napili and Kapalua. Everyone we asked said if we didn't see them there, we probably wouldn't have much luck anywhere else. Gah! Off we went...Mark was a super dad and agreed to drop us off while he went in search of parking. I was worried that was going to prove elusive for him too!

While Mark searched for parking, Keira and I walked around, climbed rocks and looked everywhere for a turtle. As Keira was ready to give up, I talked to her about being patient and thinking positively. Right on cue, she and I saw something bobbing nearby in the calmer waters of the rocks. We exclaimed at the same time, "Is that a...? Does it look...? It's a turtle!"

Keira was so excited!! And so was I!!!

Here's the turtle! Keira named him Bob. ;-)

Thank goodness Mark got back to see Bob too! As we left the beach, we saw two additional turtles just riding the waves super close to shore. This was the cherry on top of our fabulous Maui vacation!

So...If you happen to also be searching for sea turtles, here's some guidance that will hopefully help you be successful on your conquest as well.

*I checked my watch...we saw Bob and the other turtles between 10:45am/11:00am. We were told they come to the shore around this time and into the early afternoon to enjoy the warmth.

*We were on the reef (black rocks) closest to the Napili Shores Resort/Napili Beach Resort and saw the other turtles swimming close to the shoreline in the water of the bay closer to the rocks. They were so close that I thought for sure they'd wash up on shore with a few of the big waves. Here are some photos you can try to use as reference for location.

The inlet by the figure in the distance is where we saw Bob

Here's the view from below where we stood

The view from the reef when looking out at the ocean and to the right

*THINGS TO KNOW: They are protected animals. You could be fined/arrested if you touch them. If you snorkel or come near them, it's up to you to move away from them. You can find more info online and at via the Division of Aquatic Resources.

We spent the rest of the time we had back in Lahaina. We grabbed some more Uulani shave ice and a delicious lunch at the LahainaLuna food stand.

Salad w/grilled fish

Korean short rib plate

After Lahaina we hopped back in our rental and headed to the airport for the long flight home. Aloha!

Maui Memories - Day 5

After getting up slowly, we went in search of breakfast. We tried going to 808 Grindz which comes highly recommended by reviews which is probably why there was a line every time despite arriving just before 8:00am each time we attempted it. I wish I could've eaten there to provide my own opinion as to whether it's worth it, but didn't get the chance.

Instead, thanks to a recommendation from a friend who had been to Maui just a few years ago with her family, we ended up at Slappy Cakes. After eating there, we'd all highly recommend it! Don't be scared off if you see a line. If you have a small enough party and don't mind, you can seat yourself at the bar as seats become available. Full menu is available and the service is just as good from what we observed. 

Banana Bread French Toast - scrumptious and very, very filling

Mark's Loco Moco and Keira's made-from-scratch pancake with cookie crumbles

After filling our tummies to the brim, we headed back to Napili/Kapalua Bay in search of sea turtles. Unfortunately, even though it was only 9:30am, it was terribly busy and we were unable to find parking. But, we didn't despair. We planned to head back early the next day. Instead, we decided to have another leisurely day. We spent the late morning and early afternoon at the resort.

I even got in the pool!

After we wore ourselves out in the hot sun and splashing in the pool, we headed back into town for a late lunch and shopping. Parking is tricky in Lahaina that late in the day, but you just have to be patient and drive around until you find it - there's both free (limited) and paid parking. Lunch was at Cheeseburger in Paradise. If you love burgers, give it a go. I ate the entire thing and topped it off with onion rings.

Ocean-view seating is available...true to its name

The cheeseburger and onion rings I demolished

Mark was sick of greasy food and enjoyed a delicious Ahi tuna salad

Exploring Lahaina was fun as we ducked in and out of shops - there were plenty of them. Keira bought a pair of earrings and explored some art shops with Mark while I preferred the touristy souvenir shops. Ha! We topped off lunch with one of the best shave ice treats on the island at Uulani Shave Ice, followed later by more gelato.

Keiki (kids) Rainbow - Cherry, Blue Raspberry, Banana 

Hanging out in Lahaina

My turn

More gelato - Mmm!

We returned to the Villa late evening and took in another sunset. Thank goodness we did because we also finally saw a whale (the one thing I wanted to see on this trip)!! Keira had seen one from the same spot earlier on the trip, but I missed the entire thing. This time, we saw it all - surfacing, clearing it's blow hole and going back down with a nice tail splash. It was AMAZING! I couldn't believe how close it was and how the paddle boarders weren't completely freaked out. Combined with the sunset, it was a delightful spectacle!

After a terrific ending to the day, we returned to our room to pack up for our trip home the next day. It's always the sad part of every trip for me. 

I could never tire of this view

Maui Memories - Day 4

Adam and Noah were heading back to Honolulu (Noah's spring break was ending), so we wanted to take advantage of the time we still had left together. We had a delicious and filling breakfast at Down the Hatch (featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives) in Lahaina. If you go there, here are a couple of things to know.

*Kid's meals come with a token for a free Shave Ice at the place next door

*Queue up and order at the window. They'll give you a table sign with a number to display. Find a table and food will be brought to you when ready. 

Keira and Noah enjoyed the fluffy kid-portioned waffles

Have I mentioned how every dish tastes better with eggs on top?!

After breakfast, we headed back to the villa so that Adam and Noah could pack up for their short flight home. On our way to the airport, we made a pitstop at the Maui Ocean Center (Aquarium). 

The kids enjoyed filling out "passports" to earn a ookmark and we watched a movie about whales in the Sphere where you can enjoy whales in relative life-size scale. If it wasn't for the military discount, I don't know that I'd recommend it as it's quite expensive for what you get. Regular pricing is $35 for adults and $25 for kids. Having been to several other aquariums, this one is quite small and doesn't take much time to complete. Plus, with the exception of a few marine animals, you can find (and would probably enjoy seeing) these sea creatures in the wild by snorkeling. And, while the whale movie provided magnificent viewing, the story and info given could've been better developed. That being said, Keira and Noah did enjoy it, so maybe through the eyes of kids, it's much more enjoyable!

We dropped the boys off at the airport and said our "Aloha's". We know we'll see each other again soon, whether in MN or again in Hawaii.

Vacations are better with friends!

We were back in Lahaina early afternoon and stopped at Hawai'i Gelato for a delicious treat. I LOVED the Banana Caramel Chocolate Chip. I still think about it today.

Did I mention the great deal we got to stay at the Villa? Well, we had to return and attend the vacation property presentation. Technically, and legally, we didn't have to attend, but all of the people we met who set up the appointment were so kind, we didn't want to jerks and just not show up. But, I wish we hadn't. Don't get me wrong. The sales guy did a nice job and there wasn't too much pressure though there was some in the form of, "What are your concerns in not wanting to take part in this opportunity?" Oh, gee. I don't know. Maybe it has something to do with the $70k buy-in and $3k/year maintenance fee? After an hour and a half we were out of the office and returned to our lovely vacation.

One thing Keira wanted to get out of this trip, more than anything, was to see sea turtles. We hadn't seen them yet. We headed to Napili/Kapalua Bay in search of her favorite animal. Napili Bay and Kapalua Bay were cited by friends and locals as the spot to see turtles (that was in close proximity to where we were staying). 

While it was lovely to sit on the beach while Mark and Keira tried to sort out Keira's snorkeling gear, it was likely too late in the day to see turtles. No luck. But, the husband and kiddo enjoyed splashing around in the ocean while I burned my nose - can you see the strip of red in the photo? Ouch! 

Deflated, but not defeated, we headed back to the hotel to enjoy the evening poolside before turning in.

Have I mentioned the gorgeous sunsets?

Handstands progressively got better