Snorkeling at Lanai and Molokini

A week has flown by and Christmas is coming up soon! Yesterday my dad, Gabe, Isabel and I went on a snorkeling cruise to Lanai and Molokini, two of Maui's neighboring islands. We woke up super early so we could drive over to the place where the boat was docked. After checking in we went to find a spot on the boat, most of the places on the upper deck were full but we sat on the side. The ride over to Molokini was about 45 minutes to an hour, and when we got there it was a very beautiful sight. It is illegal to go on the island because it is a bird sanctuary, but the snorkeling surrounding it was unbelievable. Molokini actually came from Maui, it was a result of a volcanic eruption years and years ago. The water was crystal clear so we could see all the way to the sea floor from the boat. There were three ways to get in the water, one was to jump, another to slide, and the last to go down the steps off the boat. Gabe and I jumped off and immediately went to snorkel, Belle and dad inched their way in to the water. I was excepting it to be freezing because everyone else had wet suits on, but it was surprisingly warm! At Molokini there was not an extremely large number of fish because there were a lot of boats there bringing snorkelers who scared them away. We did however see some gorgeous coral reefs with yellow tang, rainbow fish, and parrot fish. After an hour of snorkeling we got back on the boat to begin our trip to Lanai. The boat ride to Lanai seemed extremely long, although I was told it was only about an hour. On our way there, we got an amazing sighting of the spinner dolphins! They were flipping around and swimming right beside the boat, we were told that it was not often this occurred. The staff said that these particular dolphins were only sighted about once a month from the boat. About 30 minutes later we arrived at Lanai for another hour of snorkeling! When we first arrived we were the only boat in the small snorkeling cove, it was great because there were a lot more fish there. It was so beautiful! We saw so many colorful fish, and many fish swimming in large groups. I definitely liked snorkeling at Lanai more than Molokini because of the large amount of fish and the slightly smaller waves. The boat ride back was extremely windy but we got to see more dolphins, whales, and even turtles! It was a tiring day but an incredible experience and so much fun! <3

Maui Day 5

My Lavender Farm post from about 4 years ago!

Hiking, lavender, poetry

We are on our first vacation since the start of our new home- schooling experience in Hawaii. After two days at the beach and a whale festival we were ready to take our first hike. We were originally going to go hiking on a trail threw the red wood forest on Mt. Haleakala but the road was closed so we decided to go back down to a lavender farm that was a little ways down the hill to have tea and scones. There was a tremendous view from the mountain side, you could see the city below and the lavender farm. When we got to the lavender farm the sweet smell of lavender was immediately dancing around your nose. The lavender plants were in nice, neat rows up and down the hill. When we got inside the shop all you could see was lavender. There was lavender soap lavender tea even lavender scones and chocolate. We found seats overlooking the rest of the mountain and got some lavender tea and scones before leaving. We continued down the mountain and apparently went the wrong way and ended up in front of a hiking trail which we decided to hike since we didn't hike the other trail. We ended up hiking down to a spring with a waterfall and giant rocks covered in moss. The hike back up was a lot more challenging since the spring was down a really steep slope and it had taken a while to get down. Finally we got to the top and hiked back to the car. We drove back to the town of Makawao where we ate ate at a mexican restaurant called Polli's. When we got back to our house in Haiku, we were all tired and wanted to relax. After playing cards with my sister I wrote a poem called Live in the light.

Live in the light

Swim in the sunshine

sparkle in the sky

cough as the puffy clouds stroll by.

Run in the rainbow

wish in the woods

fly like a flock of feathered birds.

Flutter in the forest

beam on the beach

keep stretching your joy

as far as it can reach.

Lavender, Reminiscing, and hospitals

Almost five years ago at the lavender farm!!!

Before the bike ride....

and after.

Today was a very long strange day. It began wonderfully by driving up to the Haleakala Summit to drop Gabe and dad off for a bike ride down. Their plan was to begin at the top and take a trail down to meet my sister, mom and I at the lavender farm. After we dropped them off, we headed back down the volcano to the lavender farm. It was absolutely beautiful! We saw the same bench we sat at years ago, and ate lavender scones with lavender tea. This time it was even more lovely because the skies were clear and we had an amazing view. My mom, sister and I meandered through the gardens and saw gorgeous flowers and stone statues. Then we waited for my brother and dad to come biking down the road. They soon arrived and we found out my dad had injured himself by falling of his bike on their downhill ride. He though he had displaced his shoulder so we decided to take him to the hospital. He had torn his ACL and we had to stay at the hospital for hours. The doctor told him to just let it heal on it's own, and if it doesn't he can deal with it when we get home to our doctor in Ohio. What an.... interesting day in Maui.

Maui

We have finally returned to Maui! After hearing about the snow in Granville this week, I'm even more grateful for the wonderful timing. We've been here for 3 days now and already have had a fantastic time. The first day we were all really tired so we just got to the place we are staying and went to bed. We were greeted by the familiar gecko's and for me a very disturbing and nerve racking spider. I couldn't get to sleep until I had my sweatshirt pulled over my head! It was a bit of an unnecessary paranoia considering the next night the apartment felt like home. After my dad made it to Maui, we decided to go snorkeling! We rented our gear, we went to a small cove like area where the waves were not that big. Although the water was a little murky we could see so many beautiful fish and large coral reefs. We saw luminous yellow fish, and parrot fish which were multiple bright colors. Gabe and dad went out really far to try and see turtles and small reef sharks but they only saw more fish. My mom, sister and I explored the tide pools and sprawled out in the sun for a couple hours. Today, We went to Lahaina to walk around the town than go snorkeling. We spent a long time walking around while Gabe got some school work done. Than we went to the beach where only my dad and Gabe went snorkeling in the cold water. It was a very fun day and I am so grateful that we get to spend this cold season in the sun!

Snorkeling, rainbows and a day at Lahaina!

3 rainbows, 1 day... only in Hawaii <3

Mom and Dad by the lava fields

Gabe at the snorkeling place

(photo by mom)

Cold water!

Me!

(photo by mom)

Snorkel gear!

Dad snorkeling!

My siblings and I!

(photo by mom)

Ready to jump in!

Gabe

Mom and Isabel

At Cheeseburger Paradise!

Mom and Dad <3

<3

Maui December 2011

All the pretty lights

Those November Days

A year abroad

Recently I started thinking about possibly going abroad for next year! I'm so excited, but nervous too. It's a whole year away from everyone, in a foreign country, not knowing the language, standing out, absolutely terrified! However at the same time, it is completely thrilling and an unbelievable possibility. I would attend school there while living with three different host families. I am not able to decide where I go, I did however get to list 10 of my top preferences. I have Taiwan, than Finland, than Norway, the rest were second choice options. I'm would really love to go to Taiwan, it would be so exotic and new and I might be able to learn some Mandarin. I would happily go anywhere else though, regardless of the destination it would be an amazing experience. The application process has been, long, hard, and complicated but it is finally over..... now it's on to writing essays, interviews and planning power points. Each month I have rotary meetings where I go and meet kids that are here from other countries, and kids that are planning on going abroad next year like me. Most of them are juniors planning on going their senior year, there are also some sophomores like me that are planning to go their junior year. Next month are interviews with my parents, I'm so nervous! To be able to go you have to be accepted into the program, which I'm told isn't so hard but that makes the process even more jumpy! Now I'm just focusing on schoolwork for the rest of the year, and our trip to Maui in a few weeks! <3

Isabel's Homecoming!

Rockin the panda hat <3

We went streamer crazy!

Candace, running on the highway to put signs up!

Panda Hat? Yes!

Mosquitoes SUCK

Surprise!

Amazing Decorations

Candace and Ethan

We All Love You Belle!!!

Cupcakes my grandma and I made!