A week of WHALES

Moved from Waliea to Lahina--
more relaxed--more families!
Westin properties are very nice--
they have extended their boardwalk to Dukes--
and the whales are OUT!!

Sunset in Lahina

dinner at Bubba Gumps--
crowds were non-existent,
travel down due to economy--
had no problems getting into ANY restaurants,
even the ones that use to require a weeks notice.

Went on a whale watch with Pacific Whale Foundation--
It was like "Whale Soup"
they were everywhere!!
We had to stop our engines for over an hour and half
as a mother and her baby used our boat to shield
herself from 5- 6 males who were circling around her.

Our captain even radioed another boat over to try
and get the whales to move away from us.
Our tour was suppose to end at 11--
we didn't get back to the dock until 12:30--
the day was magical!!

Had reservations at the Plantation House.
Love this restaurant--the views and the food.
The only restaurant we were disappointed in
was Mama's Fishhouse--
usually one of our favorites--
but they had raised their prices and the
food was just so-so.

the incredible views from our table

staff was so good--
helped with selections, relaxed, no rush

sunset says it all--

life is good!

another night--
another dinner--
this one at Gerards--
amazing....

This vacation we explored the other side of the island--
headed to Makawao and their famous bakery--
Komoda Bakery
(the building does NOT reflect the wonderful smells and taste inside!)

We visited the Hot Island Glass store and they told us about
the Worcester Family
We found their glass studio
and were "WOWED"
by their talents:

Here is the mom, Sally we purchased one of her
incredible "gourds

Their son, Mike,
who blew two pieces for us that resembled shells
(similar to the one in the photo, but with red inside)

The father, Bill
who spent hours talking and demonstrating their
technique to us.
We are definitely "glass-junkies"--
in fact we found out that our first pieces that came from
Cannon Beach came from their first studio
Fire and Ice!!
small world!

very simple and humble studio
but loaded with talent and skill

We then continued our tour and headed up
Haleakala Crater

Picture perfect day!

this overlook had the coolest views!

Decided to try another restaurant in the area
the Kula Lodge--

Their grounds are amazing....

We shared a salad and loved it so much I hurriedly
wrote down all the ingredients!!
then had a small pizza cooked in their outdoor ovens.

After our long car drive we had a late dinner that night at
the Lahina Grill

the food was great, and the owner made the
rounds of the tables,
thanking each for supporting the restaurant.
(there is a bit of controversy as the former namesake
of the restaurant "David Paul"
has opened another restaurant down the street
called "David Paul's Island Grill"

Leaving Maui is always hard--
especially with sunsets like like these...
but we have an adventure waiting for us in Seattle...
so off we go---

red-eyes flights are miserable,
but the island is worth it!!