April 30, 2009
Lahaina, Maui, HI
The Abdominal Workout Class this morning was weak. It was the other trainer and not as challenging. So, after class I lifted some weights.
The kids found me on the Lido deck after the gym and we ate breakfast. I had a short chat with them asking them if they had their attitude adjustment. This was our last day in Hawaii and I wanted to have a great time.
We had to board a tender to get to shore today. Once we were on the pier, there were people everywhere and streets and streets full of cool shops. There was also another cruise ship in the harbor which contributed to the massive amounts of people. The weather was about 80 degrees and sunny. I was looking forward to getting to the beach.
Shoe saga continued…I came across a legitimate Croc store and found a new pair of sandals that fit my feet such as to not touch my snorkeling injury. So, I purchased sandal pair number four of the trip. I had the cashier throw my ripped gimpy pair in the trash and now finally I wasn’t limping around.
Bubby wanted to go Miniature Golfing (indoor). There was an indoor Neon Miniature Golf Center in Lahaina. The kids got to play an 18 hole round and had a great time. I elected to not play and be the scorekeeper. Bubby won.
We went to the Hard Rock Café and Bubby bought a shirt and I saw a faded pic of Prince (Purple Rain era) and one of Slash’s (hunk-a-hunk-a) guitars. We each had a refreshing drink. The kids were more expensive than my Hawaii Sunrise (with alcohol) - because theirs came with a souvenir glass (which the waitress did not disclose prior to purchase). Oh well, hopefully we can get them home without breaking them.
We then took a free shuttle to the Whaler’s Shopping Center, which is located on the beach next to all the fancy hotels. We had a snack at a beach restaurant and although the sign said “Do not feed the birds,” Bubby just couldn’t resist the temptation to throw a French fry out to one. Chaos amongst two birds ensued. I was afraid we were going to get kicked out. And there was his contagious laugh.
We went to the beach and the little one and I headed for the water. The current was the strongest here of all places we have been and I didn’t want her to be in the water alone. She just can’t seem to get enough. The salt water stung my foot a bit, but not nearly as bad as yesterday. It was very windy on this beach and you could feel the sand blow up and hit your body - not exactly a pleasant feeling. We didn’t spend too much time here for that reason. The little one was sad to leave the beach - she loves the water!
We waited for almost an hour for the “free” shuttle to take us back to the pier. It never came. We ended up taking the city bus, which was packed like sardines - we had to stand. When we got back to the pier we were trying to find stamps for our postcards - looked everywhere and even walked to the post office but the self service machine was out of order (the post office was closed). Of all the shops there, I just couldn’t believe that no one had stamps to sell. So, looks like we are going to be home long before our postcards reach their destinations.
Upon walking back to get on the ship, we came across some beautiful birds that grabbed the attention of all of us. For the first time of our trip, Bubby actually wanted his picture taken! How could I not pass up this opportunity. Of course, the guy only accepted cash and the smallest package was $45.00 and I had less than that in cash so I had to walk a couple blocks to find an ATM. It was very interesting to talk to the trainer of these birds. He said that they are very particular. There is an alpha male who calls the shots - the trainer is second in command and then the female, which is the “girlfriend of the male.” The pink cockatoo is about 45 years old and sooooo sweet! There was one ADHD (as the trainer described) parrot that was uncooperative for the photo and would not participate. He was a real stinker, although he did say “Aloha” for us but refused to take a treat. He spit three different offerings of treats on the ground before the trainer put him back on his post and axed him from the photo. Now the kids want birds for pets. That outta go over real good with the cats.
There was a Hawaiian barbecue on the Lido deck when we got back to the ship. I had some pork ribs - although the smell of them cooking on the grill was enticing, they really weren’t that good. So, the little on and I decided to go to the dining room for dessert. After we were seated and told the waiter we were there for dessert only, he seemed shocked, kind of offended. So, I felt obligated to eat something else. The little one had just Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream and I had a ½ order of Thai noodles and Tiramisu - which was sooooooo good!
A sunset photo from the deck...
Tonight’s show was a Magician/Comedy show. We were all looking forward to it. We met Bubby in our usual seating spot in the Theatre which is on the port side of the balcony. There were still some front row balcony seats left so we told Bubby to meet us down there after he went to the restroom. When he got back, he noticed that there were front row seats on the main floor still open and he wanted to move there because he had a “feeling” he could be part of the show. I tried to talk him out of it, but his pressure got the best of me. He was excited and slightly hyper in anticipation of the show. The magician was New York Jewish man who was quite funny and single, but a bit older than I am looking for. Though when he announced he was single, the little one pointed to me and Bubby elbowed me. Surprise surprise - who got selected to be part of the show? Lucky young ME! Thankfully he didn’t ask me on stage, but used me from my front row seat while standing as the spotlight shown on me. I was part of one of his rope tricks and got to pick the spot on the rope where he cut it - then he tied it together and slipped the knot up and down the length of the rope - and in the end the rope was intact. Whoo hoo! Then the master plan worked - Bubby got selected to go on stage and be part of the show. His “feeling” had been right! It was a great show and Bub did an awesome job up there. I am going to have to see if I can purchase a video of it.
Back to our dorm. The little one ordered the nightly chocolate chip cookies from room service, but I was fast asleep before they arrived.
