Laura and Lars Travel: Sea Creatures

With our island uniform on, togs and towel, we made our way down the road to 'Boss Frogs'. Before we could properly start our day, we needed to stop into the ABC store. If you have been to the Hawaiian islands, you will be the only ones to understand just how magnificent these stores are. In Honolulu, there is one every 50m. Seriously. That is part of its charm, you can always count on one being there. Any need or worry that you have will be consoled by the fact that there is an ABC store within reaching distance. The ABC in Kihei was HUGE. The smell of macadamia nuts and coconut oil hits you as you enter into the air conditioned world where time stands still. On your left is the alcohol section. Any wine, beer or spirit that you could want in regular, large or mini size. The mini ones are perfect to pour into your coconut water! After that is the food section, giant bags of chips to pair with the bowls of dip. Freshly made sushi, sandwiches, rolls, as well as hot food. Then is the wall length fridge section with any cool beverage to quench your thirst. On the other side of the room is the tourist section. Hula skirts, Hawaiian shirts, flippers, clothing for animals, mugs, bags, magnets, hair clips, phone cases. Things that you would normally laugh at, but in here, you are convinced that they are all that you have ever needed to make you happy! Each time you leave the store, you have something that is not needed and will eventually just take up space in your suitcase. Yet, for that brief moment in time, the ABC store has made all your dreams come true. Think that I'm joking? Just visit yourself and you will see.

Our trip today was a road trip up the west coast. Coasting down the highway, the cocktail of warmth from the sun and wind whipping through our hair. We saw a fruit stall in the side of the road, we had to stop. We were very close to the bug resorts at this point, so a single piece of fruit cost $9. We purchased two tiny star fruits and scurried away. Never trying start fruit before, I was eager to try. To this day, I still can not put my finger on the familiar taste of it. Further down the road, we found an Organic Farmer's Market. Fresh banana bread, guava juice, and reasonably priced fruit, we had found our lunch spot. With food and an ice cold coconut in hand, we crossed the road to sit under on of the many palm trees by the shore. We ate, drank, and watched the surfers ride waves.

Lahaina was the next town up the coast. It is an old Whalers Village, so the architecture is very different from the rest of the island. Most buildings have been conserved and converted into American chain restaurants. We walked the Main Street and soaked in the sun. because I didn't want to go to the Whalers museum, much to Lars' disappointment, we hopped back in the car. Which was boiling at this point.

Further up the coast, the roads started to become perfectly manicured and laid out for the rich and the famous. We had reached the Resort Territory. This doesn't mean that we can't swim at the perfect beaches. In the car park that we found, there seemed to be a spot where it always rains. With it being so close to the volcano, there is a constant mist. If you only walk a few metres away, then you will be back in the beaming rays of sun. This does mean that there are rainbows nearly every day, I don't mind that part.

As it had been nearly 2 hours since our last swim, we were ready to dive in. Seeing all the coral, we gingerly stepped in the shallow waters. Before we had even waded up to our shins, something that we thought was a rock started to move. It was in fact a big grand daddy Sea turtle. He seemed quite accustom to swimmers, just floating in and out with the gentle waves. With this in mind, each step was taken with care so not to put a toe in a turtles mouth. We had only been swimming a while when I saw something flip and twist in the distance. A few seconds later, I saw it again, and again, and agin! It was dolphins! A whole pod of them. They were shooting out of the air, some doing flips, some just popping up to say 'hello'. There were so many of them, looking like jewels amongst the sparkling sea. It took about 20 minutes for them all to pass. For a good amount of this time, we were trying to get the attention of the French family, who had two little daughters. They were so enthralled by the turtle, they didn't even realise the dolphins. Luckily, they saw them in the end.

We decided to make our way back to our ever-sunny beach - Kihei. There she was again, golden sands with it's arms outreached, calling the ocean in for a hug. Time for another quick dip.

We put on something a bit more presentable that a towel and went on a search for Happy Hour. After passing a few, the Tiki Bar seemed to be the perfect fit. Margaritas served in a glass tiki was just what the doctor ordered. And he ordered a few of them! The only way that could finish the day was by buying fish tacos and watching a movie. With the sun setting at 6pm, and the island shutting down after lights out, your body automatically wants to go to bed at 8pm. Wild times in Maui!