THURSDAY--APRIL 7, 2011

My daughter, Nicole, met me at Indianapolis for a ride home to Marion, IN.

WEDNESDAY--APRIL 6, 2011

I left for the Kahului Airport by shuttle at 9:30 am today.  My first stop was Seattle, WA.  I then flew to Chicago, IL.  The last flight was to Indianapolis, IN.

TUESDAY--APRIL 5, 2011

I have taken my last walk on the beach, have swum my last stroke in the pool, and sat my last minute in the sun while in Maui.  

MONDAY--APRIL 4, 2011

LANDSCAPERS TRIMMING PALM TREES

Today, I watched four landscapers climb their way up palm trees to trim away the dead and wind battered palm fronds.  Some of the trees are as tall as the ninth floor.  The men used a type of platform with steel bands that wrap around the trees as they made their way up and down the trees.  The older trees are scarred with many holes from years of workers climbing using boots with spikes that stick into the tree.  Many walkers on the beach stopped to watch also.  Today, the window washers also moved across the twelve story building cleaning all the glass.  I had an early dinner followed by a theatrical presentation about the life of the Hawaiian people. My ticket to see Ulalena was a gift from the Expedia Concierge who arranged my excursions.  The gift was by default since the family who won the drawing gave me their one ticket. 



SUNDAY--APRIL 3, 2011

LEILANI'S RESTAURANT SIGN

WORSHIP CROWD GATHERED AT LEILANI'S

PASTOR MARK SHARING SCRIPTURE

HULA DANCER INTERPRETING WORSHIP SONGS

LOCAL JAZZ BAND AT WHALER'S VILLAGE

While at Whaler’s Village yesterday, I read an invitation for people to attend worship service at 8:00 am at Leilani’s Restaurant which is open-air.  An early morning bus ride took me to the service where we sang familiar songs as many gathered to worship at the tables.  One of the pastors from the sponsoring church spoke with a backdrop of people walking and running along the beach and with the ocean and mountains in the distance.  A lady interpreted some familiar worship songs with the beautiful hula dance.  I returned to Whaler’s Village this evening to enjoy a concert by a local jazz band.

SATURDAY--APRIL 2, 2011

MY FRIEND TOM AT THE COFFEE/SMOOTHIE/SNACK BAR

JOHN EATING SUPPER AT HULA GRILL

WHALER'S VILLAGE SIGN AT ENTRANCE

SPERM WHALE SKELETON

Today, again I enjoyed the water, the sun, and the sand.  The winds have returned to a normal breeze to help with the heat.  On the lobby level of Mahana Resort is coffee/smoothie/snack shop operated by Tom.  He and I have become friends as I have visited almost daily with him as I walk through the hallway and pass his stand as I exit to the pool and beach.  I rode the public transit bus to Whaler’s Village this evening where I ate at the Hula Grill.

FRIDAY--APRIL 1, 2011

MORNING RAINBOW HALF

MORNING RAINBOW OTHER HALF

CAPTAIN STEVE AND MATE CARL

HUMPBACK WHALES SURFACING OR THEIR TALE FLUKES

I was afraid that the morning rain would cause a cancellation of my Whale Watch Excursion today.  Fortunately, the rain was intermittent and just a heavy mist at times.  About twenty were on Captain Steve’s inflatable boat as we left Lana Wharf.  We first came upon a female humpback whale with a calf.  The feamale was being escorted by a “boyfriend”.  The father of the calf is long gone.  Later, we saw another female humpback whale with a calf.  The female was being pursued by three males.  Their movements in the water are so quick and graceful and unexpected making picture taking a challenge.  But, I did get a few pictures.  I did not capture a whale breach in my photos. 

THURSDAY--MARCH 31, 2011

MAHANA RESORT ENTRANCE LIT WITH LIGHTS AND TORCHES

MY BUILDING LIT FOR THE NIGHT

SEA TURTLE NEAR SHORE

HUGE BANYAN TREE (A FAVORITE OF CHERYL'S)--LAHAINA VILLAGE PARK

UNDER THE SHADE OF THE BANYAN TREE

LAHAINA VILLAGE HARBOR

PIZZA FOR LUNCH AT LAHAINA VILLAGE

From my balcony, I can see into the water at an angle which sometimes gives me an advantage over being down on the beach.  I can also hear the yells of excited people on the beach when they see something out in the ocean.  I have heard reports of sea turtles close to shore but not yet seen any until this morning.  A sea turtle estimated to be about three feet from front to back swam parallel to the beach maybe fifteen yards from shore.  With the water right near the edge of sunlight and the shadow of my building, I was able to capture only one picture of the turtle.  I could not get any more pictures because it swam in and out of the morning sunlight and the shadows of all the resorts.  About the distance of two football fields from shore some whales played and were visible for a long period of time.  The morning sun glistened on their bodies as they broke the surface.  One time I saw a breach which occurs when the body of the whale comes out of the ocean, spins, and returns to the water with a splash.  The beautiful palm trees between me and the whales interfered with picture taking.  The public transit system here is so efficient even with transfers and is inexpensive.  An all day pass is only $2.00.  I believe I have finished my shopping excursions until I am home next Thursday.

WEDNESDAY--MARCH 30, 2011

LEFT PALM RIGHT LOWER LEAF SIXTH FLOOR DARK SCREENED BALCONY--MINE

SLANTED BROWN BEACH SAND

PEOPLE PLAYING IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN

Today, I was awakened from sleeping-in by a knock on my door.  I was unaware that maid service came with my condo.  I will be ready for her tomorrow which is when I asked her to return.  I finally took my camera with me while I walked on the beach today.  Pictures just do not do justice to the magnificence of God’s creation, which is so huge.  The strong winds here have been predicted to bring large waves on the east side of Maui.  I am on the west side.  However, the waves were expected to wrap around the island.  As I walked, I found this to be true.  I was nearly knocked over a few times as the powerful waves rolled in much higher on the beach than where the previous wave had marked the sand, which is where I was walking.  Not only did I get wet, but so did my camera and my cell phone.  All three appear to be functioning well.  The afternoon sun, wind, and waves were a continuous blessing.



TUESDAY--MARCH 29, 2011

LEAVING MAUI

WAKE OF THE MOTORIZED CATAMARAN--ALII NUI

CREW (MOSTLY PETITE FEMALES) RAISING SAIL

ONE SAIL UP

ALII NUI SAILS UP

BELOW DECK CABIN WITH FOOD ON THE COUNTER

CREW MEMBER JAIMIE--KIWI FROM NEW ZEALAND

DESTINATION TO SNORKEL--MOLOKINI CRATER

WHALE SPOTTED ON RETURN TO MAUI

WHALE TAIL FLUKE

MAUI SUNSET

BOAT IN OCEAN AT SUNSET

(BLOG POSTING OF JOHN IN THE WATER WILL COME LATER FROM DVD)

Today was punctuated by an early pick-up by a van from Alii Nui for a sailing excursion  to snorkel at Molokini Crater.  This was my first experience snorkeling.  The views and fish were spectacular to say the least.  As soon as nearly sixty people boarded the catamaran, breakfast was served down below deck as we crossed the harbor.  We were given adequate instruction for novices and experienced snorkelers and a few scuba divers.  Upon returning to the catamaran after snorkeling or diving, we were served lunch.  As we returned to shore, we were able to see a few whales near the front of the boat.