Saturday, July 9, 2011

Girls Getaway to Maui - Day 4 Hawaiian Canoe

And just when we thought we had done it all, Tara offered to host us on an authentic Hawaiian Canoe Excursion the next morning. We woke up early again, but ready to row with Maui Paddle Sports. We met Tara, as well as our guides Jamie and Vie, on the beach and launched our Hawaiian canoe into the ocean. We rowed to the Turtle Cleaning Station where Jamie and Vie explained how the turtles come to this area to be cleaned by the fish. And there were turtles all around our canoe and the guides knew each and every one of the, including gender and age. It was very cool! We rowed what seemed like another 10 miles (not really, but my arms and shoulders were already sore from paddling the day before), but we were completely entranced by Jamie’s cultural and historical information he shared with us about Hawaii. It really is a fascinating world here, and I love that they manage to maintain their heritage, beliefs and love of the land and sea.

After brunch at The Plantation House where I devoured every bit of my Cajun Ahi Benedict, we called it an afternoon and headed in for some R&R. That afternoon, we met up with Tara to say goodbye and spend my last Maui evening aboard the Trilogy for a Sunset Sail. Many thanks to the Captain, Caleb and Jordan for a beautiful afternoon at sea with great PuPu’s, cocktails and entertainment (Jordan sings and plays the ukulele). This was the perfect way to end the trip....with old and new friends on The Valley Isle.

As they say in Hawaii, “O ke aloha ke kuleana o kahi malihini,” which means “love is the host in strange lands.” I certainly felt the love during my stay in Maui, and I cannot wait to return. Mahalo!

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