Maui: Day 5 & 6

Sunday! We went to church in Kihei. The ward was full of visitors and it seemed like that was normal for them since they are located in an area crawling with vacation condos.

I always enjoy visiting other wards. I loved hearing in RS that they go to the temple in Kona, on the big island and their Stake plans a temple trip once a month that involves a plane trip and then a shuttle ride. They mentioned that the trip takes the whole day. They participate in everything offered at the temple and at the end of the day, they clean it before they leave. One sister mentioned that it's a financial burden for her and she has to save money to go each time. It made me realize once again, how very blessed we are to live 4 minutes (by car) from our temple.

While at church, Stick learned from a member that there was a good place to see sea turtles, not very far away in Paia at Ho'okipa beach. Seeing turtles was definitely on my Hawaii bucket list. And since we were only going to look at them, not swim, frolic or dine with them, it seemed Sunday appropriate.

So that afternoon we went to see the turtles. I will admit that when we got to the beach that was filled with partying people we felt a little out of sorts. But the turtles were in a quiet part of the beach past all the party-ers, so then we felt better.

We got to the beach about an hour too early. There were a few turtles already lounging on the sand, but I wanted to see a turtle in action.

So we waited. And waited. And waited. And baked in the setting sun. We just about gave up more than once 'cause it was so hot. But somehow my stubbornness set in, so we waited some more.

Finally, right as the sun was about to set, the turtles came tumbling in.

They were hilarious and amazing to watch.

They'd sort of just roll in with a wave. Once they hit the sand, they'd just sit there until another wave hit them. Then they'd flop their flippers a little and move about 2" on their own. Then they'd sit and wait again for another boost from a wave.

Slowly but surely they made their way up out of the water onto the sand to lounge with all their buddies.

I bet they swim around gracefully in the water, but on land? Not so much.

video

video

I'm so glad we waited. I loved every minute of it.

DAY 6:

Monday, our final day. We had to be out of our condo at 11. Then we went to  Kapalua Bay. Stick wanted to snorkel and had read that this was a good spot for it.

I would have liked to snorkel too, but we were catching our plane later that afternoon and I didn't want my already humidity crazed hair to get wet and to look even more crazed. Yes, I know, dumbest girl reason EVER.

I did get in the water, it was too hot not too, I just didn't get my hair wet. And let me tell you, getting dry and sand free and into regular clothes so we could fly home was tricky, so I was glad to not have wet hair to deal with too.

Then we got on a plane! That is of course after my suitcase got rifled and each of my ziploc bags of sand got inspected and tested for drugs.

Apparently my humidity crazed hair makes me look suspicious 'cause when we went to Oahu they rifled through my bags too.

We took the red-eye out, flew to Oahu, then to LA and eventually made it back home.

It was a fantastic trip, with my favorite person ever, but it's always good to go home.

Aloha Hawaii, I'm pretty sure I'm not coming again this year....

2 Comments

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Amazing turtles! I would love that too.

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And really amazing trip! Sounds so awesome!

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