This is the moon setting and reflecting the sunlight.

Jes and I were a little crazy on this trip and actually got up at 3 am on Tuesday morning.  We drove almost 2 hours to the peak of Haleakala Crater where it was 48 degrees!!!  I layered my white button-up and hoodie for warmth but I really could have used a jacket.  Jes had his North Face jacket but decided to wear flip-flops so his toes froze.  The full moon was spectacular that morning and I watched it set behind the crater around 5 am.  Once we arrived, there was enough time to take a short nap in the car and then it was a short walk up the stairs to the tower.

At around 6:20 am, the sunlight peeked over the clouds and we were seeing a little color.  The sun wasn’t supposed to rise until 6:38 am so in the meantime we shivered and waited in the cold.  It was really cool seeing the tops of the clouds and fog along with road below.  Then we ran out of luck…a huge cloud came over the area and the sun got fogged out.  Oh boo.

So, we drove down to the visitor center for a pee break and bumped into my auntie and uncle!  They were so cute in their little rain ponchos that they got from the Polynesian Cultural Center earlier.  I could have used a poncho for warmth!

On our way back to the hotel, we stopped at the AT&T store in town but left empty-handed since I still had one month left before qualifying for a discounted upgrade.  Back at the hotel, it was sunny and warm and perfect for another snorkeling excursion.  This time around we still heard the whales and dolphins and the water was much clearer and warmer.

In the evening, the whole family went to a big luau at the Hyatt.  We got a great table and the food was tasty.  The entertainment was also pretty good and I think everyone had a good time.  It was a great way to have one last hurrah before everyone left the next morning.

My Mommy’s feet enjoying the Maui sun and sand.

After a few days of cloudy skies and rain, the sun came out on Monday and it was gorgeous! We all headed out to finally get some color on our skin.

We went snorkeling in the morning and the parents joined us at the beach and at the barefoot bar afterward.  The water was a little chilly but warmed up with the sun.

Can you find the puffer fish?

I got some photos of the fishies but it wasn’t a completely clear day yet so I would have to try again another day. The really cool part of the day was when we could hear the whales and dolphins singing under the water.  It was a little creepy at first, then really neat-o, and then it just became really loud!  Still very cool though…

In the evening, the clouds rolled in again but made for a pretty sunset from our balcony.  For dinner, we drove through a downpour to Sansei for some tasty sushi.  Then it was time to go to bed early for the sunrise at Haleakala Crater.

Hi! We have been in Maui for about 2 days now the weather has been much warmer than O’ahu but still sprinkling a bit now and then.  We got upgraded from a Garden Room to a Deluxe Ocean View Room and the view is amazing from the 9th floor!

Brother and Joy also got upgraded and their balcony is close enough for us to pass drinks to each other.

The parents arrived yesterday (Sunday) so after hanging out at the pool, we took them to the Maui Ocean Center.  I saw a bunch of whales on our drive from the airport to the hotel on Saturday afternoon but they didn’t come out for us on Sunday.

It was fun going to the aquarium with my mom since she doesn’t swim and doesn’t get to experience the ocean and its creatures like we do.

She was fascinated by all the different fish and wasn’t shy about telling certain ones how ugly they were.  Pretty funny.

Today the sun came out and we’re off to Black Rock for some snorkeling.  Yay!  Laters…