Snorkeling Shots

We were unprepared for the sheer clearness of the Hawaiin waters... Ka'anapali beach is divided in half by a huge, jutting black rock encrusted with coral and surrounded by all sorts of tropical fish and turtles. Good for diving off of (for Fish, at least) and good for laying in the sun until the sudden urge for a quick snorkel took hold.

Pencil Urchin (when dead their white spines can be used as chalk, and ARE in some of the schools!)

It was THAT big!

Fish headed for his big jump off black rock!

Just to throw everyone off- a close-up of a hummingbird moth on Fish's flipper (that we found dead by the pool)... long curving tongue yet wings like a hummingbird.

Lahaina

We loved Lahaina- Such a great, laid-back town. Great shops and music, although Eilidh says, "They said it was whaler's place but it just led you to shops. Booby trap for tourists." he he.

I guess our kids have opinions about traveling...

Enjoying the wonderful Chinese history museum.

Waiting for lunch at a great BBQ spot on the beach. Confused by all the options, apparently.

Shave ice- so many options, but so easy to spill...

Getting a henna tattoo... 20 minutes of not touching it proved too much, though... too hard to handle.

crazy tiki kids.

Snorkeling & Scuba Diving Expedition

A wonderful Christmas present from Bubbe: a snorkeling trip! Eilidh has turned into an amazing snorkeler and Bella shows no fear- can't swim, but plunk her down in a floaty in the middle of the ocean and she'll be unstoppable- chasing turtles, laughing, going for it....

Actually a separate trip- Sven's only shot (before his camera died) when he did a scuba expedition off of Lahaina... The scuba diving was clear and beautiful!

Aquarium

Maui's Ocean Center in Kahului- wonderful time and some great photos, many of them by the girls...

Hammerhead shark.

Christmas in Hawaii

The girls celebrated a lovely Christmas morning in Maui- we got up late, opened presents nice and slow, then went for a swim... Then ate a horrible pre-cooked meal from the local grocery store. All in all, a wonderful Christmas.

Fossilized shark tooth from Santa.

Night Swimming

An amazing treat- skipping the heat of the day and plunging into the dark, warm pools... Looking up to the moon through the palm trees and vegetation lit by tiki torches is pretty magical, not just just for the kids...