Mileophile: Hawaii Day 3 (Molokini Crater and Lahaina)

We woke before the rooster crowed. That's a thing here. Actual Roosters crowing and chickens crossing the road, why? There are lots of theories.

We set out for our sunrise snorkel tour on the Kai Kanani Catamaran. We met our fellow cruisers while it was still dark, so hard to make out faces. But, a thick Louisiana accent cut through the darkness and I knew all was right with the world. Clint was our first mate and gave us the run down on snorkeling and what not. I think he took a shine to us because we asked him about his people and his hometown, the way Southerners do. Clint is doing just fine and living his best Hawaiian life. Our fellow snorkelers included a nice couple from Vancouver, a few other families, and a rather large gaggle of 15-year-old girls celebrating something or other, perhaps the advent of the tiniest bikinis known to modern man, or so it seemed. I vowed never to comment about the size of my girls bathing suits again. By comparison they looked like they'd come straight from the nunnery. I didn't know you could even fashion a swimsuit from dental floss and band-aids. But, YOLO I reckon... The plan was to start our snorkel trip as the sun rose at Molokini Crater and end swimming with sea turtles at another location.....

Sunrise over Molokini Crater

Nature had other plans. 'Tis whale season in fair Hawaii. It has been a treat to see them all day frolicking in the ocean. And, imagine our surprise when en route to our first snorkel stop, one such humpback took a liking to our boat. The thing about whale encounters is that the captain must shut down the engine as to not harm the whale. #savethewhales We oooohed and aaaaaahed as she nuzzled the boat, peeked up at us, kanoodled with the starboard side, blew her blow hole, rolled over, swam to the other side, hid under the catamaran and peeked up at us through the nets. It was so incredible! I guess she liked the attention because she hung out for 2 hours. TWO HOURS. We had to open the sails to get us into the crater to snorkel and by that time, it was time to head back. We didn't get to swim with turtles, but we had a once in a lifetime whale encounter, so I'm not sad about it.

Hey Girl, hey!

Make sure you get my good side

I think I'll "hide" under the boat so you definitely can't turn the motor on, and stare up at you

Finally snorkeling!

When we got back, Clint gave us the lowdown on how to get to the turtle spot, so we rented snorkel equipment and went back out on our own because we are resourceful like that. We saw a few turtles and didn't have to snuggle any whales

After our close encounters of the marine kind, we got cleaned up and headed out to The Old Lahaina Luau. John and I had been to this particular Luau on our last trip to Hawaii about 10 years ago. It had really improved since last time. It felt very authentic and we recommend it if you are in the area. The food was amazing and they bring out so many unique things to try. The children unknowingly learned things about Hawaiian culture and we have a new respect for their story. But, not their Poi. That stuff is nasty.

Beautiful costumes, incredible food, and a whole lotta shakin' going on! It turns out warriors of the Hawaiian ilk managed to bravely fight for their land wearing little else than a dish cloth 'round their nether regions and a smile. I declare! #clutchespearls