Feb. 24, 2013: Po'olenalena and Makena Landing--

Woke up to another beautiful day.  Winds seemed to be down quite alot most of the day.  Don't think the flood watch is in effect anymore, either.  We have encountered several areas while snorkeling where fresh water is entering the ocean and blurring vision for awhile.  It also makes those areas much colder!  Even at the south beaches.

Speaking of south, we spent the day here today.  After our breakfast of spam and eggs, we headed off to find Po'olenalena beach as recommended by someone.  Of course we drove past it, but found a parking spot at Makena Landing so we took it.  The beaches were supper crowded today!  Lots of pic nicing locals at the beaches.  Neat to watch the kiddos having such a blast.  There was even a Harley group here.

Anyway, we had been to Makena landing earlier this week, but covered a whole lot more area today!  We spent at least 2 1/2 hours non-stop snorkeling.  First we headed to the right and around the point---and around a couple more points.

Again we saw turtles galore!  In one little cove, there were 3 very large ones.  One had a bad infection to it's face.  I felt really sorry for the poor feller.  Here's 2 in the deeper water we were snorkeling in.  Underwater photos don't come out as well in deeper water, but I thought these two were cute interacting with each other.

After spending quite some time in the deeper water (listening to more whale songs), we headed to the opposite side of the bay(s) where it was much shallower and easier to get better pictures.  Of course, a couple more turtles swam by us there, too!

Soon we were way out to the far end here.

I thought the reef there was really neat and quite clear and I saw a lot of interesting critters, like this guy-- a devil scorpionfish?  Frogfish?

star eye parrotfish?

cleaner wrasse

juvenile coris

pink tail triggerfish

Heading back to the beach---another turtle getting in my way!

Also saw a small Christmas Wrasse.  This is one fish that is a lot more common on Kauai---along with surge wrasses and other wrasses.

 I believe this is a Hawaiian knife fish.

 After enjoying the beach for awhile, we headed back to the condo---but first looking for Po'olenalena bay again.  Finally found it, so I went to check it out while Ken rested in the car.  We lucked into one of the few public parking spots.  I thought the walkway to the beach was very nice.  Loved the flowering bushes.

I saw these on Kauai before they opened and they looked like tucan beaks.  Now I know what they look like in "bloom". 

The beach was really pretty.  Perhaps we'll make it back there next week.

Then we continued on our way to the condo,  by way of the little Cinnamon Roll shop near our condo complex.  Got a cinnamon roll to share and a yogurt and granola for myself.  Ate it at our pool area, then hit the pool and jacuzzi.  Excellent cinnamon roll (and yogurt)! Got both for under $7.

Later, we headed back to Wailea to Mulligan's on the Blue.  Their happy hour looked interesting online, so we decided to check it out.  Being on a golf course, the place had great ambience and service.  Unfortunately, our happy hour picks weren't the greatest: fish and chips (too much coating); hot wings (soggy skins); and caesar salad (bland).  Even tried the fruit cobbler for dessert, but it was just ok.  Perhaps happy hour is not the right time to go?  Really, I'm not a picky eater!

Ok, the beer was good.

Dinner done, we had an hour to find a sunset spot.  Ended up going to Big Beach.  The clouds were pretty heavy, so there wasn't much color at sunset, so I looked for something different for sunset pictures.

I guess the view towards the ocean wasn't too bad, either.

On our way out, Ken spotted this guy.  We've seen them on Kauai, but they had more yellow on them there.

One last parting picture.

So goes another day.  Can't believe we've been here almost a week!!!