Feb. 19, 2013:  Makena Landing snorkeling--

Figuring we would be awake early, we agreed to do the "owner update" at 7:30 am in exchange for a $100 certificate for an excursion.  That went quickly and easily --- 45 minutes and we were out of there.   Considering it was in the unit below ours, it was quick and easy to get to also!

Their excursion presentation was starting soon after we finished the update, so we listened to it, too.  Turned out to be a good thing---we won the buy one, get one free coupon to the luau at the Hyatt.  So we used the $100 certificate from the update to buy the other one.  Free luau for us!!!  So next Monday we're off to a luau.

Just a few pictures of our 2 bedroom/2 bath condo at Worldmark Kihei.  Looks like they refreshed the rooms with new furniture, bedding and pictures.  Looks great.

a few pictures put together in a rough pan:  Here I was standing by the lanai door.

another rough pan from the middle of the room looking left towards the sliding doors to the lanai and around to the front door at the right: master bedroom to the right of the sliding lanai door, kitchen in the middle, 2nd bedroom to the left of front door, 2nd bathroom left of 2nd bedroom.  

 We're supposedly in a no view room, but we are in building 1 directly across the street from the beach and have quite a bit of ocean view!  The road noise isn't bad, either.

Then it was time to hit the road and start exploring Maui!  First up---lunch.  After driving around a bit having the conversation, "What do you want?"  "I don't know, what do you want?" Back  and forth.  Finally I said, how about Da Kitchen.  My dad and I had picked up a great kalua pork dinner there several years ago and we had just passed it, so back we went.  Much to my surprise, the little "dump" I remembered from long ago was now a really nice little place.  The food was still excellent, too!

love the backlit artwork in Da Kitchen.

Now it was time to hit the beach.  We headed south and ended up at Makena Landing.  We snorkeled there for about 2 hours.  Didn't see a whole lot of fish, but the coral out by the point was really nice and we did see 2 turtles.

 typical coral area near the point.

Crown of thorns?

 Typical sandy area not far from shore

The water felt chilly at first, but not bad after a few minutes.  I'd guess the water temp was about 75.  The air temp was about 80.  By afternoon the winds did start picking up and so did the surf.  So we wandered around Makena Landing and took a few pictures.

The far right is where we had snorkeled.

Then we jumped in the car and headed to the end of the road down south checking out the lava beds and a few other sights.

 I was even amused that I could sync (mentally as well as physically) my phone to our rental car!  Who knows, I may even add a picture to the background before we leave!

We ended up heading back to the resort and hanging out in the pool for another hour or 2, then headed out
 in search of dinner.  This time we ended up at Coconuts Fish Cafe.  It was recommended by the resort staff and we were wanting fish, so figured we would give it a try.  It was another cute small place --- Bubba Burger-like.

Love their tables and chairs!

While we were waiting for our food, some of the customers started saying, "it's Steven Tyler!"  and running out the door.  So from behind my tinted car window as we were leaving, I fired off a few shots of him.  Thought it was interesting that he was there at this little place, too, sitting at an outdoor table.

Sunset was less then 15 minutes away now, so we took our dinner to go and headed to the nearest park---Kalama.  There we sat on the rocks and had a pic nic.  One of the nicest pic nics I've had!  And GREAT fish tacos!!!

Sunset wasn't too shabby, either---although the clouds were a bit heavy to make a lot of colors.

From there is was back to the resort.  Ken watched tv while I went through my pictures.  Since we don't have internet (yet), we headed to McDonald's at 10 to start my blog.  I hope the next 2 weeks are as nice as today!!!!