November 14, 2010
We woke up around 7:00am, got ready and headed to breakfast. We were pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food on the buffet. I chose a made to order omelet, hash browns which were hot and crispy, sausage and some fruit. Mr. H chose some scrambled eggs, one pancake which was NOT ruby and tasteless, and bacon. We both enjoyed our breakfast with OJ and coffee.
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| Morning views of pulling into port |
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| Morning views of Maui |
We headed off the ship by 8:15am and got in line to wait for our Budget rental shuttle. It took about 20mins until the shuttle arrived. We got onto the shuttle, they check off our names and off we went. We arrived at the rental office within five minutes from leaving port. The madness occurred once inside the office. We got into the office at 8:45am and there were only one attendant at the counter waiting on a customer who was already at the counter. We were next. She finished up that customer’s order and instead of calling us up the counter; she began to eat her MUFFIN! We are usually not impatient people but we had to be at the Maui Dive Shop by 9:30am and it was a 25min ride. So our patience were running out, as she finished her muffin the phone rings and she proceeds to start an entire order over the phone! Finally another attendant came to the counter and took us. We were finally in our car by 9:20am!! Thirty five minutes to rent a car is ridiculous, considering there was no one in front of us! If we had not been on a time schedule I would of asked for a manager. But we rushed into our car, checking for damages and off we went to the Maui Dive Shop.
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| Our rental car in Maui |
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| View driving through Maui |
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| Where we booked our snorkeling excursion |
It took us about 25 mins to get to the Maui Dive Shop. We arrived, checked in, got our gear then we were directed down the road to where the dock is. I must say the staff member gave AWFUL directions, very vague. We ended up having to call back as we could not find the dock. We figured out we did not drive far enough down the street. Finally, we parked where we THOUGHT was the right location. It turns out it was NOT. We ended up having to walk about 10minutes to the correct location; however it was a walk along the beautiful coastline so we didn’t mind too much. We arrived and finally we relaxed knowing that we had made it. We waited a few minutes than boarded the boat.
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| The dock for the snorkeling boat |
Joe, our captain explained our agenda and Arin, our snorkeling guide introduced herself. They gave us some rules then we started off to the Molokini Crater. Arin passed out some donuts, muffins and fruit for a light breakfast snack and some drinks. We arrived at the Molokini Crater after about a 10minute boat ride. Joe, helped everyone with our snorkel gear, showing us exactly how to PROPERLY wear the mask, to prevent fogging or leaking. Both Mr. H and I had snorkeled before but we felt Joe had done the best job preparing us for our adventure. Joe also showed us pictures of the fish we will be seeing, as well as the hona, Hawaiian for sea turtle.
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| Molokini Crater |
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| Where we snorkeled in the Molokini Crater |
We snorkeled at Molokini Crater for one hour. It was beautiful. There were many different types of fish and sea turtles. As I said we snorkeled before and this was by far the best snorkeling trip or so we thought. After an hour of snorkeling at Molokini Crater, we all boarded back on the boat and headed to
Turtle Town.
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| Molokini snorkeling |
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| Molokini snorkeling |
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| Molokini snorkeling |
Mr. H and I strolled back to our car, this time the walk was much calmer as we were no longer on a time schedule. We stopped at the local beach park, used the restrooms, which were clean.
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| Our scenic walk back |
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| The beach park |
We got back in our car, it was around 1:30pm. Tomorrow, we had the Road to Hana planned so we stopped at the Shell Station at
370 Dairy Road Kahului,
HI to get the Road to Hana cd and map. It was $20. The Shell Station was not out of our way and saved us time tomorrow. We headed back to the ship and parked right next to the ship in a free parking lot, which was small but empty at this time of the day.
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| Maui port |
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| POA docked in Maui |
We headed to our room to shower, change and get ready for the luau that night. Mr. H called for an iron and ironing board. It was arrived within seven minutes of the call. We were heading to the Old Lahaina Luau, which we had reserved previously. We left the ship around 4:00pm for the luau. It takes about an hour to get to Lahaina from the port. The drive to Lahaina was an easy one, with beautiful scenery for the passengers of the vehicle.
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| Driving to Lahaina |
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| Driving to Lahaina |
We arrived at the Old Lahaina Luau and were directed to a overflow parking lot as their main lot was full. It is only a 2-3minute walk back to the luau from this parking lot. Parking is free. We arrived at the luau, greeting by the luau staff and were given our ticket. You get into a short line which moves quickly. When you arrive at the front of the line, you are greeted with a welcome drink, a Mai Tai. It was delicious, yet strong! They definitely use alcohol and NOT WATER in their drinks! After you receive your drink, another staff member greets you with a beautiful orchid lei. The host will take you to your seats and explain how the night works. After we found our table, we placed down our stuff and walked around the luau grounds. They were beautiful. We had perfect timing for a beautiful sunset as well. Native Hawaiians are around the grounds making jewelry, wood carvings, teaching hula and native dances. Professional photographers are across the grounds, to take your pictures, which you can purchase at the end of the night.
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| Welcome Drinks |
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| With our beautiful leis |
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| Beautiful Sunset |
After dinner ends, the show begins! Our waiter continued to come around to take drink orders and clear away our plates. About twenty minutes into the show, dessert is served family style on each table. We were so full from dinner, we did not eat any of the dessert but the others at our table said they were delicious.
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| Dessert per couple |
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| Let the show begin... |
After the show ended, we headed out of the lulu grounds and back to our car. On your way out you can get your picture taken with some of the staff members, purchase pictures that they took earlier in the night and/or buy souvenirs from the show. Traffic moved quickly from the parking lot and we were on our way.
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| Pictures with the staff after the show |
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| Our Leis |
We were back to the ship around 10:00pm. The first parking lot was full due to the time, but there is an overflow parking lot a short distance away. It is along the water. It was only about a two minute walk back to the ship and was also free. We went straight to bed as we had to be up at 2:30am for sunrise!!
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