Wesely and I got within 50 yards of whales the size of a school bus. It was awesome! Two males swam right beneath our boat. A few of those on the boat (and we were on a 20 foot long raft) got a chance to put on a mask and see the whales under water. It was pretty amazing. 

Day 7 - Tuesday Jan 31

This morning Wesley and I went on a small boat to do some whale watching. It was quite amazing. Then we came home to relax. I sent Wendy to the local spa to get a little pampering. She got a facial and manicure and came home looking and feeling relaxed.

Now we are watching the State of the Union by President Bush and getting ready to leave for dinner at Bubba Gump Restaurant.

Wesley on the boat 

Thomas and mom on the boat at Molokini 

Wesley and I out there somewhere 

Day 6 - Monday Jan 30th

Today we woke up early (5:30) to catch a 7am snorkel cruise to Molekini Crater. We chose to go on the Pacific Whale Foundation boat trip. They are environmentally friendly and cater well to children. Wesley and Thomas really loved being in the water. My favorite place moment was swimming back to the boat with Wesley. He had his own mask and flippers and said, "Dad, I really love the ocean." He seemed to really love it. The trip lasted about 5 hours.

By the end the boys were out and sleeping on the boat.We came home, jumped in the pool for a while then took naps. During the evening time we ate at the restaurant here at the hotel called Ohana Grill. All of us were wiped so we came up and went to bed.

more hula dancers 

Wendy and the boys in their authentic hawaiin garb 

Us with the tiki 

The band at luau - they rocked! 

hula dancers 

View of Jaws from the top - waves were not breaking today 

"I love rocks. Look at this one." Says Thomas 

All of us 

Our friends Josh and Jenna enjoying the view - with Jackson at 4 months 

Good shot of rocks on shore 

One of the road to Jaws 

Wesley on the road 

Day 5 - Sunday Jan 29th

This morning we woke early. We intended to go to church. However, after looking at their website Maui Christian Church we found out that they had an evening service. Unfortunately, we already had planned a luau so we bailed on church. We had to drive across the island for our favorite, favorite breakfast spot in Paia; Charley P. Woofers.

This place is where the locals go. There are lots of pictures from the big wave surf spots (Jaws) that are only a few miles south. It also has lots of paraphanelia of Willie Nelson and some other country singers. Great food!

After getting directions from a local we headed (for the second time) through the pineapple orchards to find the big waves. This is lots of fun. The boys loved it and we enjoy going.

Last year we got rained out when we went to the Luau so we had to try it again. We booked the Old Lahaina Luau which is supposed to be the best on the island. It was a beautiful night. We had a great time!

Hula Grill

Our favorite village on the North side of the Island: Kahakuloa

Kahakuloa Church

dudes surfing North Shore 

Day 4 - Saturday Jan 28th.

We began our day by getting some coffee at Bad *ss Coffee here in Kaanapali. It is some very strong stuff. We drove north and had breakfast at another favorite Napili Kai Beach Resort. I think we would like to stay here sometime. It is a very beautiful and secluded resort with an extremely nice stretch of beach. The restaurant overlooks the whole cove and they have great food! We then drove around the north part of the island.

I like this portion better than the road to Hana as it is less traveled, is shorter and has some cool sites. The little village of Kahakuloa is very nice and you can stop at Julia's banana bread stand stand to get the best banana bread in the world. It is actually very, very good.

Upon completing our trip (which seemed like 12 hours instead of 2 with the boys in tow) we went to the Westin again to swim a little before Josh and I played golf. Wesley and I did a little boogie board surfing. He caught a couple of waves and had a good time. They went home to take naps.

Josh and I played 9 holes on Kaanapali North. What a great course! It was also very difficult. Lots of wind as well as hills, etc... We had a good time. There was no one behind us or in front so we could go as slow as we wanted.

I called Wendy. She got the boys ready and met me at the Whaler for some dinner at a great place recommended to us by a client called the Hula Grill. It is right on the beach with live music and a sand floor. What a blast!

I saw a rainbow 

Julia's fruit stand

breakfast 

too cool these kids