Maui - First Day

We left Honolulu Harbor at 6 am this morning. Here is Jon on the Superferry! It was a literal 3-hour tour. Departure time was 6:30 am and we were supposed to be there 90 minutes early. Of course we were running late, but got there about an hour early. Then at 6 am, the ferry started up. I was a little surprised they were leaving before departure time. So we asked and the lady said, well if everyone's here, we leave at 6. You know, it's just different from air travel! And how nice to pack up the car with food and cooler and anything we needed. Our first stop was our favorite Mexican food place in Hawaii. We found out yesterday that the owner is from Fort Worth, so he brought good Tex-Mex to Maui. I'm sure we'll eat there again on this trip!

Sunrise and Diamond Head ~
Maui ~
I guess I planned this photo-op when I wore this top today. This is at the lavendar farm, although these are hydrangeas. They had some beautiful plants and flowers there.

Here's the lavendar ~
We got the cutest cottage in Kula, which is upcountry, inland and about 3000 elevation. Our cottage has a fabulous view looking down over what I call the neck part of Maui, with water on both sides and the mountains in the back. Very restful, just what we both needed. The cottage is so cute, Jon said he'd like to just live here! Going to try and take it easy this trip and spend some time doing nothing here.
Sunset from our lanai ~

Dawn

Realize that I have not updated my blog since the kids left. That's because I've not been doing much, but catching up on my rest! Here's a picture from our lanai very early morning, with the full moon. Tomorrow we go to Maui, are taking the superferry for the first time.

Snorkel Cruise

One last double rainbow ~

Faith on the snorkel cruise - such fun.
The week went by much too quickly! Was a wonderful week!

Thursday

We packed a lot in on Thursday. Jon took a deserved break after driving us all around for 5 days. Faith and I dropped Eric and Scott off at Diamond Head, while we checked out the beach below. Lots of surfers and a nice beach. We didn't bring our suits, but maybe you can tell she managed to get wet anyway! Brothers at the top ~
Then we continued on the eastern side of the island, stopping at Spitting Caves. This beautiful spot is located in a very nice residential area. The house next to the access was for sale for $4.25 million dollars. Included was a Maseratti (sp?). Don't know why I didn't think to get a photo of the house, which we could see that back of from right here. What a view!


Then Eric just had to have some Kahuku shrimp, so we went there for lunch.

Once we got home, I was tired, but Eric and Scott wanted to do some more hiking, so while I cooked dinner, Eric, Scott and Jon hiked Aiea Loop Trail, at the top of our road. This is a view looking down over H3. I've hiked it several times, it is a 4.5 mile loop. Everyone was tired that night!

Last day on the Big Island

Faith surrounded by beautiful flowers we bought at the Farmer's Market ~

This was at the end of the road on the southeastern side of the island. This was a famous black sand beach until covered by a lava flow in 1990. We hike out to the water.
See the fern growing through the lava and the coconut palm growing. They have planted many many coconut palms, trying to restore the beach to its original beauty.

From there we went for a quick swim, then to the airport back to Oahu. It was a fabulous 3 days!

Back at Halama'uma'u

That evening we went back to Halama'uma'u to see it at night. Glad it didn't do any more while we were watching!

Kilauea Iki Crater Hike

Later that afternoon, Eric and Scott hiked the Kilauea Iki Crater hike, back at the Volcano National Park.

Rock pile, they use for marking the trail ~
This is just steam ~

Waipi'o Valley

Tuesday morning, we drove up to the northeast coast of the island to Waipio Valley, where Eric and Faith rode horses. Jon, Scott and I drove to the town of Waimea and Parker Ranch, the 5th largest cow/calf ranch in the U.S. Eric and Faith enjoyed the ride in this beautiful area.

Faith's favorite part was riding through the water ~

View of Waipi'o Valley ~

The Big Island

Monday we got an early start (in fact, every day was an early start), and flew to the Big Island. Here we are at the airport.

And here we are at the cute little cabin we stayed at, at KMC in the middle of the Volcano Park.
Faith flexing her muscles at the Halema'uma'u Crater.
We went to the Thurston Lava Tube, and the brave ones (all except me), continued through the part that was unlit. They said it was very cool. Here they are at the entrance.

Eric, Faith & Scott in Hawaii

It took them both two days to get here, but they arrived on July 5! Here they are at the airport ~ Eric, Faith, Scott and Piggy.

Sunday we went to Waimea Bay and afterward went to Hale'iwa for a shave ice. Here's Jon wanting some of Faith's ~

Last day in Japan

Back in Tokyo, we went to the Senso-ji Temple, where there were a lot of worshippers and tourists. Very interesting. And here I am with the $3 umbrella we bought. Everyone had one like this.

Leading up to the temple was Nakamise-dori, a street lined with many shops, where we bought a few souvenirs. (notice the Denny's sign) Soft ice cream was everywhere, but this place had 33 flavors. Not quite like Baskin-Robbins flavors - green tea, ginger, sesame, to name a few. And amazed to see the huge shaved ice they had there. And of course they were a little different too, as you can tell.

Then we went to the Kabuki Theatre, which was amazing, although we weren't able to take any pictures. Then the next day, time to go back home. It was a wonderful trip, a wonderful opportunity. Now it's time to get ready for our next company, Eric, Scott and Faith!