Hawaii page 4
Friday (July 30, 2004) morning, Brandi,
Shannon, Brittney, and Taylor were anxious to go for
their surfing lessons on the
Catch A Wave! shore tour.
DESCRIPTION
Surf's up and you will be 'hanging ten' in no time.
Once in Lahaina you will be met by your instructors
and led to the beach. Expert surfers will first
instruct you on land. Then paddle out to ride your
first wave! After your lessons, feel free to practice
on the surfboard provided or relax on the beach
where Hawaii's great kings once surfed.
While they were gone Page, Bruce, and I rented a car to
drive to Lahaina on the other side of the island to do
some shopping. This is where the oldest, largest banyon
tree lives. It takes up almost an entire block. When
the branches get large and heavy, new roots are dropped
down to grow in the ground to support it. We drove back
to the ship with barely enough time to change and catch
our tour bus to the luau that evening.
The banyon tree in Lahina.
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When we were back on the ship, we learned that John took
Staci to the hospital to get her wrist set. They hung her
finger in some kind of contraption above her head and put
a weight on her arm so the bones would separate before
they squished everything back where it belonged. Even
though Staci was on morphine, I don't think she was happy.
The doctors did not put a hard cast on her because they said
her arm would swell too much on our flight home so basically
they just put her arm in a very padded sling and gave her drugs.
John was sick and Staci was still feeling bad with
her broken wrist, but the rest of a large group including
Shannon and Kevin's family, Alex and his kids, Crystal,
Shaun and Shawn, Shane and Hillary's family, and Debbie
went for the Ka'Anapali Beach Break.
DESCRIPTION
Enjoy a carefree afternoon on famous Ka'anapali Beach!
Your relaxing and fun-filled beach break begins with a
scenic ride along the coastline to Maui's luxurious beach
resort area. Awaiting you there is a complimentary beach
chair and a tropical beverage. Relax in the sun, swim or
do some beachcombing. If you feel like snorkeling to see
the marine life at famous Black Rock, either take your
gear or rent it on the beach. Air mattresses, boogie boards
and other beach toys are available for rent. After a few
hours of fun-in-the sun, you will return to the dock.
Later that afternoon, the Pacific Paradise Luau
took place on the property of the exquisite Maui Prince Hotel
back on the other side of the island on the
road to Haleakala Crater. The weather was fantastic and
the area set up for the luau pristine. I've been to 5 or 6
luaus on my various trips to Hawaii, but I believe this was
the best one for food and setting. Some of the others have
had better hula shows. John and Staci did not attend the luau.
DESCRIPTION
In the traditional custom of old Hawaii, the sound of the
Pu, the conch, signals the start of the festive luau. Your
adventure begins with a 1/2-hour scenic drive to the
exclusive ocean front luau grounds. You will be welcomed
with a Mai Tai or fruit punch at the entrance to the luau.
As the sun sets off the ocean horizon and the beautiful
Hawaiian evening sky appears, enjoy complimentary Mai
Tai's, beer, wine and sodas. Live Hawaiian and Polynesian
music sets the tone for demonstrations of coconut husking
and weaving, hula lessons and hula-hoop swinging. See
Hawaiian/Polynesian artisans share their artwork or try
the ancient Hawaiian game versions of spear throwing and
lawn bowling. Unearthing of the imu, the underground oven,
will fascinate you. The bountiful luau feast follows,
featuring an all-you-can-eat buffet of mouth-watering
Hawaiian delicacies and desserts. Enjoy 'Hawaii Aloha,'
a journey of chant, song, dance and drama, through the
isles of Hawaii and its South Pacific cousins. The evening
climaxes with the spellbinding Samoan fire knife dance.
When we first went in, we were seated at tables. Our
group occupied 3 of them.
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Debbie, Payton, Alex, and Rayna wait for dinner time.
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Thomas and Roxanne ham it up.
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Rachael, Kaitlyn, and Roxanne pose for the camera.
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Ashley, Rachael, and Courtney smile.
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Shannon, Taylor, and Brittney finish dessert.
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Bruce and Page are having a good time.
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Hillary, Callie, and Shane are ready to eat.
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Christopher gets friendly with the camera.
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Hannah, Payton, Shannon, and Christopher all look happy.
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The hotel was on one side behind Peggy and Louise.
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We dine with the pacific sun setting in the background behind
Bonney, Bruce, and Page.
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Shaun, Callie, and Alex watch the show.
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Page and Shannon learn to tie paredos.
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The kalua pig is unearthed.
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A group of our 20-something singles toured the grounds and
walked to the beach.
Surfing and swimming warnings are posted.
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A lounging turtle.
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Brandi and Crystal pose as the sun begins to set.
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Cousins rule.
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ThomasŐ silhouette creates a striking setting.
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We were treated with a most glorious sunset!!
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Hula dancers pose with their guests...Crystal and Brandi.
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Crystal and Brandi.
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Then the hula show began.
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And some from the audience are asked to participate.
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On Saturday (July 31, 2004), our final day on Maui, Page, Bruce, Brittney,
and Taylor went back to Lahaina to shop and swim. Since I
was in Lahaina during my New Zealand cruise last year, I
did not feel that I needed to spend any more money there
on this trip. Besides, I was still ill and trying to
survive until my Zip Line Adventure!
Shannon at the beach.
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Taylor and Brittney enjoy the waves.
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Brittney in front of a smaller banyon tree.
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Kahului from the ship view.
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CONTINUE saga...
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