Maui, Hawai'i

Aloha!
This May I had the amazing chance to go to Maui with my Mom, Renee and a crazy gal named Angela! This trip was all thanks to Angela, who in a long story got me tickets, without even knowing me. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Friday night Angela and I flew out of Boise to Seattle, than from Seattle to San Diego where we stayed overnight in the airport! In the morning we were in Maui by noon! It was beautiful there, it smelt tropical, it was warm and sunny! Angela's co-workers picked us up from the airport and we went back to their condo and than to the beach, while my Mom and Renee were almost to Maui. the beach was sooo warm and I found out what the ocean tasted like... SALT.. then I learned to boogy board! Angela decides to tell me to surf INTO the water from shore, "Kids do it all the time!" So, I tried and I landed flat on my butt as my boogy board surfs into the water.. It was pretty fun though! Mom and Renee were back at this point and after spending an evening on the beach we went back to the hotel where we had the most beautiful view I could Imagine, and I learned to Snorkle!

The next morning we were on the beach by 8:00 am and it was warm enough to go in our bikinis and tan! As soon as we got there we went snorkeling.. In my first adventure we saw a turtle!! They're so graceful in the water they amaze me. In the next beach I saw an Eel, scared the crap out of me! I wish Mom and Renee would warn me before they say.. "Is it a baracuda?" "No, its an Eel.. they are mean as Sh!t!" it would've helped my nerves if they said.. oh don't worry it wont hurt you at all... Then after Renee dives down to get closer I realized I'm most likely safe. Before snorkeling I was warned to NOT touch the turtles, or the coral.. The coral will leave you in a bloody mess. On our swim back we got a little to close to the coral for comfort, and I start freaking out kicking like crazy as the waves  did not help at all! in the middle of my struggle my fin came loose.. luckily i had my camera in my hand and used it to push against the coral... while my mom is telling me the whole time.. "stand up!" of course I wasn't listening and after inhaling salt water, raising my blood pressure and atttempting to stay calm while breakthing through a tube I made at and learned.. those were rocks.. with SOME coral.. and you could touch them! After saoking up the sun we asked a gorgeous local for directions to good snorkeling.. and man, the way he said "Kaanopali" just melted me, Renee should've invited him along with us! But was a gorgeous spot for snorkeling, and we saw multiple turtles! Mom has a good eye for underwater creatures.. just wait till you hear how she nearly scared the CRAP out of me. I was also told NOT to touch turtles, by people and a sign that was posted. Well.. MOM.. tried pushing me towards it just before she went up and touched it... around other people! After the turtle swam off Mom comes up and yells.. "shark!" Way to make a girl stay calm, mom... Did you want to swim in a warmer spot in the water?? I kept looking and could not see it.. I was freaking out yet again! I asked her if we should head back? "Oh no its the NICE kind!"....nice kind? THERE ARE NO NICE KINDS OF SHARKS IN THE OCEAN TO ME! Then Angela and I see what she calls.. the shark.. it was just a bigger silvery fish.! I personally think it was some insane entertainment of hers to literally scare the crap and pee out of me. I love you mom!

Sorry, its upside down!

We spent the rest of the day in Lahaina, a very touristee town.. but so cute! We stopped in a shop that had some tourist information. We found a great deal, from a cocky local to go snorkle in Lanai'i! All Mom and Renee had to do was sit through an hour presentation!! Then of course the guy found out I was 20.. and gave me his number! :) He wasn't bad looking at all! He ended up texting Mom asking that it was ok that he gave his number to me, she said to be nice! Later on we went to a Luau.. it was awsome! We learned how to make Lei's, there were henna tattoos, old fashioned cooking, basket weaving from coconut leaves and dancing. Than local Lahaina dude txts me.. wants me to go to his house and party.. Not a chance in the world!! and his little scooter woudln't make it to Kihei (I'm thinking a scooter?? No harley, or road bike, or crotch rocket... scooter?) no thanks!At the Luau we learned how to move our hips! and I video taped Mom, Renee and Angela shakin' their thangs like Cameron Diaz on Charlie's Angels!

Monday morning Renee and Angela had a wedding to go to on the beach... while mom and I snorkeled on that same beach! *On an off note I saw a gecko on the port-a-potty with a baby geckling about an inch big!* The snorkeling was alright, then Mom and I relazed in the sun till the wedding was over. Than all of us played in the sand before we had to head to Lahaina so Mom and Renee could do their presentation. While they were sitting in a room Angela and I went shopping! In the end of the night we all went to Bubba Gumps with two other girls who went to the wedding. I was in HEAVEN at bubba gumps, the waiters were gorgeous and I ordered my first alcoholic beverage.. without getting carded.. as he started to ask if I were 21 the girl next to me started talking and ordered.. thank you Inna! I think all the waiters were entertained by us anyways... Angela was having fun with another one, flipping the "run forrest" sign back and forth! It ended up being a great night with the ladies. The sunset was beautiful in soo many words!

Tuesday morning we had to be at our snorkeling excursion at 7:00am. It was a big raft that was taking us to the Island of Lanai'i! On our way over to the Island we met up with spinner Dolphins! We rode along with them as a coupld were putting on a show for us.. they were swimming up next to the boat nearly 5 feet from our toes. For a good half hour we were entertained with these gracious mammals. Then we had to speed up and meet our destination of Lanai'i. The coral reef here was SO healthy and colorful! We snorkeled here for 30 minutes and went to another spot around the other side where there were huge parrot fish and angel fish swimming everywhere! Of course I was alaready out of film by the time we went to these spots! After another 30 minutes it was time to head back to Maui. It was a great experience sitting on the edge of the raft feeling the mist of the incredibly blue ocean!

Later that evening we went back to our hotel in Kihei, showered and headed to the local shops. Where one of the first stops was 'Hot Rod' tattoo parlor. Where Mom, Renee and I got tattoos! Mom and I got a tattoo of a turtle with a Plumeria symbolizing our Mother-Daughter trip to Maui.. and our first tattoos :) after we were done Mom helped Renee get through her tattoo of 4 turtles symbolizing her kids!

Wednesday morning Mom and I walked on the beach outside of our hotel while drinking coffee.. It was nice to just relax and walk on the beach. But it was very sad... we didn't want to leave paradise! We did a little more shopping in Kihei and the Open market and then drove around just viewing Maui before we had to head back to the airport. It was the best trip ever, and I had alot of fun! I'm so glad and thankful I was able to go! Life has been amazing this past month.. its been a miracle!

Now i'm looking at changing schools and looking into Hawai'i as my future place of residence. :) Just remember Dad, you can love me no matter where I am... and visit!

Mahalo!