2018-2-3  checking out the South side:

We hoped to get some more snorkeling in today.  Unfortunately, the surf has changed again and it is rough!  Even rougher then the other day at Kapalua.  Even if we did try to snorkel, it wouldn't be clear with the sand churned up.  Doesn't look like much here, but it was rough.  In fact, another person drowned on the South side today at Ulua Beach.  He was the 10th person in about 3 weeks!!!  We usually hear of drownings while we on the islands, but never to this extent!
But it was a pretty day weather wise, so we headed down the coast to show our guests the South side.
First stop---Maluaka.  Here is when we realized there would be no snorkeling today.

 looking towards the West mountains.

 then we went to the marine preserve at The Dumps.

 The surfers were there, but there were no snorkelers.  It was rough.  I see they've put up a sign now showing people where they're suppose to enter the water.

 We did see several whales out in the distance.  Lots or breaching today.

 also saw wild flowers.

 heading back to the car over the lava trail.

 Haleakala from the road through the lava beds.

La Perouse Bay.  This area was flat!  I wanted to jump in an snorkel here, but we didn't come prepared to snorkel.  The rock wall that was blocking this area was cut down since the last time we were here so people could walk over to the water line.

 Saw this little plover (?) hanging out.

 fishes in a tide pool.

 sign at La Perouse Bay---I thought this was part of the closed Reserve area, but according to this sign, it's outside of the Reserve.

 heading back towards Kihei.

 interesting low growing tree.

 At one point, we saw a whale breaching away, so we headed to the black sand (or salt and pepper sand) Oneuli beach to watch for more breaching.  We also walked along the beach a bit.

 and watched the surfers.

  and just enjoyed looking at the water.

We also enjoyed checking out the coral and shells washed up along this beach.

Some of the homes along this beach.

 Ken and I have snorkeled the area to the left in this picture and it is really good.  Too bad it was too rough today.

Did some wading.

Then headed back towards the parking lot.

 one of the interesting things Becky found on the sand.  Looks like some sort of shells embedded into some lava rock.

 one last look up the coast.

 back on the road with great views of Haleakala.

For sunset we headed across the street from our condo.  Again the sunset wasn't very impressive.

 The surf was the highest I've ever seen it at Kamaole 1. 

 We decided to head to Kamaole Poolside Cafe for dinner.  We found it by accident a couple years ago when we were on Maui (I heard the music from our 3rd floor lanai in building 4 of the Worldmark complex just across the drainage ditch from the cafe).  The music was spectacular again.  The food was really good, too.  I had the Turkey Reuben. Ken had the fish and chips.  Possibly our favorite night of dining so far.

Back in the condo we played our nightly round of Mexican Train Dominoes.  Sure going to miss that when Becky and Don leave on Monday! 

Feb.14, 2015--Valentine's day and Whale Day:

We really lucked out with the Whale Day parade!  It gathered and started right across the side street from our resort.  So I walked down to the street and sat and watched the parade.
 First young bag piper I've seen.

Feb. 10, Tues.: high surf, no snorkeling :(

The forecast said high surf was coming in.  It wasn't apparent here on the Eastside.  The winds on the Eastside were way down, too.  But we soon found out it was windy up north and the surf was rolling.  We had to go north to go to the Wyndham timeshare "owners update" (sales pitch) which we signed up for.  Figured it was worth the $100 gift card to let them talk to us for an hour.  When you've been members as long as we have and know how to use the system, it's often amusing to hear what they have to say.  
On our way up there, I got this picture of the Olympic cafe.  Doesn't look like much, but that 2nd story open restaurant is cool.  

  We had a little extra time before our "update", so we drove by Anini thinking that we might be able to snorkel there later.  Wrong!---It was as rough as we've ever seen it and it was murky---not too noticeable from this photo.

Feb. 8, Sunday:
 
It was another morning of waking up early (for me).  Was able to watch the sunrise from our dining room in our new OF room.  The other room was nice being on the 2nd floor, but this one has a much more expansive view.

 It's also just steps to the beach, so I took a walk along the beach.  There's a shelf of shallow water by the resort.  Not sure what this couple was spearing for---octopus?  lobster?

2008-March 11: Lydgate, Moir Garden, Nihi Kai sunset

Another day to snorkel.  This time back to Lydgate.

 Another beautiful day at Lydgate

 A bad picture of this guy, but he's another fish that I've only seen here at Lydgate (and the Caribbean).  Wonder why so many unusual fish end up in here?

 There was even a turtle in here today

 looking back towards the beach

 towards the kiddie pool

 resident school of fish---there are several schools of fish that I've seen here every year.  I know they can get out, but I guess they're happy here.

 Another guy I hadn't seen before---a razor fish

 There was even a juvenile yellow tang here.  I've only seen a couple yellow tangs around Kauai--a couple times here at Lydgate and a couple times at Anini.

 The ever popular sergeant major.

 These guys also have a large school here in Lydgate.

 They look healthy, so I guess there's plenty for them all to eat here.

 love the shadows

 another view of the pools while we lounged on the beach

 more of the area at Lydgate

 When we were done here, we made our way South to wait for sunset.  Got there early, so Ken dropped me off at Moir Gardens for awhile.  Love this free garden.  They have 2 main sections to the garden---orchids and cacti.

 but there are a few ponds with lilies in them, too.

 and there are tropical plants like these Bird of Paradise.

 some of the cacti.

 some of the cacti were flowering.

 or about to

 back to the orchid garden

 wonder how hard the maintenance on this garden is?

 some of the gorgeous orchids

 someone knows what they're doing.

 another lily

 ????

 ????

 As the sun dropped lower, we headed towards the beach.  Ended up along the road by Nihi Kai resort. 

 Again the clouds were too heavy for a spectacular sunset

But we still enjoyed it.