14.02 Hawaii: Kaanapali and Lahaina

HAPPY VALENTINE'S TO ALL OF YOU!
Valentines day in Hawaii :) Will be best Valentines day yet!

First thing in the morning we went to activities and tours overview session held at the housing premises. We are staying at Mahana resort in Kaanapali area. They gave a wonderful overview of all possible activities - the lady presenting the information was very lively and funny. After an hour we realized that there is simply too much to do in one week :) Initial schedule looks promising though! Here is a glimpse of planned activities:
-Sunday- watch sunrise at Haleakala volcano which is 3055m above the sea level and later bike down 45 kilometers, apparently there won't be whole lot of pedaling :)
-Sunday- visit to pineapple plantation
-Monday- surfing lessons, they promised us that we will be standing up on the board by the end of the lesson! can't wait to see that :)
-Tuesday- snorkeling in Molokini and Turtle Arches to see the underwater sea life
-Tuesday- famous Hawaiian Luau party
-Wednesday- sunset cocktail cruise to see the wonderful sunset on water as well as do some whale watching
-Thursday- helicopter flight over Haleakala Crater and view of dramatic waterfalls, landing in Hana, luxurious limo-van trip back to Kahului

I guess we'll see how the schedule will work out, but that is the initial plan. On Friday we will be taking an early flight to Oahu island to spend a day at Pearl Harbour and fly out a bit before midnight.

Today, after the activities briefing, we put together our schedule, took a 40 minutes walk on the beach and then headed over to Lahaina. On weekends there is a local craftsmen fair under the largest Banyan tree in US - so we headed there after wonderful lunch and drinks at Kimo's. Banyan tree was once brought over from India and it just keeps growing more and more branches and expands like mad :) Crafts fair was great, many artists presented their paintings, jewelery, ceramics, cosmetics goods and other sorts of hand made decorations. Later we wondered around the numerous shops on the main street. By 6 in the evening our feet refused to move and our stomachs were requesting to be filled with food. Quick stop at the grocery store, quick stop at the mall and bookstore and then we were ready to head back. Dinner consisted of wonderful pepperoni pizza and then back to the hotel.

The ocean, oh, it is marvellous! All hues of green and blue are present in the brightest ways possible. In the distance there are couple of islands rising out of the water and in between the sailboats cruise slowly by. Air is warm and sun is bright - everything is perfect. Locals are very laid back, reggae music is everywhere, food is delicious and drinks are strong. At night time the stars shine brightly and ocean waves crash the shore with measured out hum.

But now I gotta go and get some sleep as I will be picked up at 2:45 at night to drive up to the summit of Haleakala volcano to see the sunrise :)