Time is ticking along (even in Maui the clock moves the same pace forward), and we seem to slowly be approaching the end of our amazing trip...we will be in NZ in about 3 weeks and we are super looking forward to seeing all our friends and family! Only another 3 days left in Maui for us....
We have loved our stay here in Hawaii - Maui is really is a very beautiful island, full of beautiful people and beautiful beaches, ocean water and fresh food! For breakfast this morning, we indulged in organic cereal topped with fresh papaya, sweet pineapple, lillkoi (passionfruit) and star 
fruit...YUM...what a great way to start the day!
We have spent oodles of time in the water lately. On Friday, we visited our fave snorkelling spot on the island, called Ahihi Bay. Got there nice and early this time, so we could get the clear water & hopefully spot the elusive turtles. Was on a mission to see these Hawaiian green sea turtles - as we've seen heaps of them from the shoreline, but only once when we were snorkelling. We had been told about a Turtle Cleaning Station, where turtles go to have fish pick at their shells, and clean it for them. Had vague directions (opposite some
tree, end of some reef, near a sandy patch..etc....it's not easy to navigate!). However, fortunately we did stumble across it after about 25 mins of searching, and saw 6 turtles!! Woohoo!! Pretty decent sizes too, ranging from half a metre to 3/4 metre long. That made our day. They are beautiful creatures, and enjoyable to watch as they gracefully manouver around in the water. Mission accomplished!
There are so many water sports here - everything imaginable...including Stand Up Paddle Boarding, which seems to have taken off as a new sport. We wanted to give it a go, so rented a board in Lahaina, and tried it on a relatively low swell beach...was super fun! Brent was surfing the waves before you knew it (of course), whereas I took a bit more time to feel balanced on it :-) Might have to buy a SUP board when we get home - cos we really need more toys! haha
We visited a slice of paradise on the weekend....lucky us had the opportunity to go to Lanai - a neighbouring island with
a population of 3500 people. Very slow paced and a little bit like going back in time. Hopped on the early morning ferry Sat morning along with Tracey, Dean and Shaun - and our 5 bikes. They were just there for a day trip, but we stayed the whole weekend. We rode the local mt bike track - Munro Trail, which took about 5 hours or so, and ended up being maybe 3500 to 4000 feet of climbing in hot, humid conditions! Fun! A dip in the ocean was just LUSH afterwards! The water at the beach was crystal clear, and the sand so white - it was just like out of a postcard! Tracey and the boys 
went home that night on the last ferry, but we stayed on another day for some more snorkelling and swimming. Camped right next to the beach for 1 night. Did our biggest snorkel so far - a big swim out to maybe 40-50 foot depth of clear water (twice!) - was totally worth it, as we got to swim with a pod of spinner dolphins - YAY!! We had seen 100's of them from the shore in their large pod, when we were out for a walk along the headland, and ran like the clappers to get the snorkel gear so we could get out to them in time. Mad swim...and then saw about 30 of them close up. They are very playful creatures; jumping (and spinning at the same time) out of the water and playing underneath. Also saw a stingray and couple of turtles on the way out. I have never been swimming with dolphins before, so was a whole new experience! Also explored the 1 large hotel at the beach; Four Seasons; which was super-luxurious, and only marginally out of our price range with rooms going from $400 - $6500 a night =- EEEK! We were happy with the camping. Grabbed a late ferry back to Maui, and got back just in time to see a glorious sunset - see the pic - with Lanai in the background. What a great weekend.
So just a few days left, and we have a couple of plans in the pipeline, although going to try and make the most of the sunshine whilst we can. Be back again soon, much aloha to our friends and family, Em & Brent x
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