Day 6, Early Morning Hike! Kapalua!

Another hike! We loved it. Our plan was to do a morning hike, then lay by the pool aaaaaaaall day to soak up the sun on the first day it wasn't completely windy or part rainy. So that's what we did. 

 This is Kapalua Bay, along the ridge of the Ritz Carlton Resort. It was gorgeous, of course, starting right in the middle of the owners villas and running 3 miles along the ocean, through Kapalua, through the Ritz Hotel, and then up into the hills where trail became very tropical. We didn't venture to the end of the trail due to the heat, humidity, and time. So we headed back the way we came. Just before we left the trail to head back to the car we saw an trail that went down to the edge of the a cove. As you can see, I'm standing out where the water surrounds the rocks. There was no sand or beach, just Ryan, Me and the splashing ocean. It was truly breath taking, taking in the vast expanse of the ocean water, the breeze that comes from it, and the world that lives under it.

 And there was another heart shape cut out in the rock. This was for sure not man made.

 The Ritz in the back ground!

Of course we had to hit up Maui Taco's again. After we ate the most amazing fish tacos in the world, Ryan told me that he was embarrassed for me as I took this picture, "you looked like a total tourist!" I didn't care. I had to get a good instagram picture to share my love for this place. 

After lunch, at 10:30 am, we really did go back to the hotel and bake int he sun. Bake is the perfect word. No matter how much sunblock I kept putting on my chicken legs and chest, I still burned. It felt amazing till the burn became a sting that was only cooled by the pool. So our sun bathing lasted till 4, then we decided to get ready for our big, fancy last night dinner; Ruth's Chris!

 This was on the way to Wailea! If you look past the pole on the right, you can see Molikini, the crescent shaped rock where the snorkeling is amazing. It was formed by volcanic erosion where the bottom was pushed out so the sea life is drawn to its shelter. The visibility is clear for at least 40 feet. Monk Seals and turtles swarm there. Sadly, we didn't take the tour out to it, but read and learned a lot about it. Maybe next trip!

I took this picture to show that I finally curled my hair for our special dinner, however it was starting to frizz. This is a great way to show how I really did burn. Check out the chest. 

Here is the, the "Super Moon!" On this night, the moon was close to the earth so it was supposed to be full and look larger than normal. It just looked full to me. But vibrant with the clouds below it. How could you not enjoy it if you are in a tropical island?

Day 5, Started Early Again! Golfing at Kahului Golf Course

GOLF! I was golf cart mate, caddie and cheerleader. But I did not swing. I have no interest in golf, but it was a good morning to watch Ryan's fascination with the game. 

 Paradise! Enjoying the pool, jacuzzi, and scenery again.

 The Rainbow State, for sure!

 Cheeseburger in Paradise, round two!

 Cobb Salad, Onion Rings, and California Burger with Sweet Potato Fries. Yes!

 It's a Hawaiian little party!

Day 4, Already?

 This is not the best way to have to start the day, especially when we weren't dressed or anywhere near ready for the day!

Then we were let off the hook...

So we decided to hike to the Blow Hole, on the North west side of the island, Nakalele!

I did not doctor this. Natural or carved? You decide.

Ryan called this the dishwasher! If you get sucked in or fall in, you will be whipped around like a damp rag. Or ripped to shreds by the sharp rocks that would inevidently be in your path.

 Look in the very middle of the picture../

Here is  comes! Hard to catch, but the blow hole shot straight up every time the waves rushed in, pressing against volcanic rock or cliffs. The mist was amazing, yet I would not dare get close to it. We had read the story of a man who was pushed over by a huge wave and sucked into the hole. When we saw the actual size of the hole, it was crazy that a man could fit into it, just another testament of how powerful the current of the oceans is. We often stood at the edge of the beach or rock and found ourselves lost in thought of the mass expanse of the water that surrounded us on this small patch of land. We were such peons in this universe, and it was clearly evident as we marveled at the power of the element before us. 

 Well then, on the upside of our hike we noticed this sign. Uuuuuh, Amen to that.

From the top of the cliffs. It was a windy day and my hair was so tousled. However, the wind felt amazing as we ran back down the road to our car on the other side of the cliffs. Could there be any more of an amazing way to spend a day? I love being outside, near the ocean, taking in the clear air as we walk/ran to the blow hole, then back to our car.

After laying by the pool and taking a much needed nap, especially after the long day yesterday, we decided to try something non-commercial for dinner.

Ryan had read on-line about this pizza stand, so we decided to try it. To find it, you have to follow the schedule of where it parks each night. This time it was on the corner of a small shopping center, only 4 stores and a small parking lot. A young local man made the each pizza, dough and all, on the back of the trailer, then walked around to slip them onto the wood grill where her sporadically turned each pizza. When the dough was cooked all the way through, he put each on their own paper plate and assembled the last of the toppings, the sauces. Yum!
We decided to try the Mediterranean and the Spicy Buffalo Chicken pizza's. Of course mine was the Mediterranean. I wasn't going to touch that Spicy thing. Spicy and Pizza don't mix in my opinion.
I'll be honest, the pizza wasn't amazing, but it was a fun local experience.