Today is a lazy day around the cottage. We’ve nothing planned until this evening’s dinner cruise, so we take our normal walk and just sort of loll about the cottage, reading and relaxing.
We set out to Ma’alaea Harbor around 3:45, driving into the hurricane gale force winds. It is crazy out here. The winds are incredibly strong coming out of the North, and even though Ma’alaea is the windiest harbor in the islands (and one of the windiest in the entire world), it is still a lot more than we have seen here. We’re wondering if we’ll even be going out tonight, but we’ve not received any communication, and PWF is really good about sending emails and texts as reminders, so we figure we’re still on.
And, we are. Arriving at the appointed time, we check in then wait with the other 25 or so people to be escorted to the boat. One of the ladies next to us is seriously worried about the winds – so much so she is re-reading the waivers they signed and trying to convince her husband to just leave (and lose the $150 non-refundable payment for the cruise). We’re not concerned, because, really, they aren’t going to take us out there if it is dangerous – and if it is a little rocky, I’ve got my Dramamine already started.
Before they can make a decision, the group leader corrals us and leads us out to the boat, where we get to board first because we are PWF members – slightly embarrassing, but perks nonetheless. We grab our seats up on the top deck, and spend the next little while happily chatting with a Canadian couple while we sail out into the bay. It is surprisingly smooth, considering how strong the winds are. The sea is choppy, but we hardly feel it on the boat. After a while though, the wind is a bit much so we repair to the cafe downstairs for beer and wine and chips and salsa as we round the cliffs of the island heading toward a cove a little west of the harbor.
Because it isn’t truly whale season yet, this cruise is focused on the stars and the sky. There is an astronomer on board who narrates the whole trip, giving us great information about the moon and the sun, the milky way, etc. She chats for about 20 minutes about the solar system, then gives way to let us have dinner – a great selection of spring rolls, pork, chicken and veggie sliders with fruit for dessert. We make our way back upstairs to watch the last of the sunset with the moon rising…
then sit back to listen to the astronomer as she starts her lessons on all the constellations we can see – and not see at this time of night and stage of the zodiac. It’s a lovely evening out on the water – even with the wind – and the astronomer has an awesome laser pointer that looks like a spotlight as she points out the seven sisters, the beginning of Orion’s belt and tons of other constellations I don’t remember learning about. Her presentation lasts about an hour, and soon we are ready to head back into the harbor – again, quite smoothly – and take our leave, of course with the traditional goodbye brownie (I love those brownies they always hand out at the end of the cruise). A very nice change to the typical whale watching cruise.
On our way back to the cottage, we drive through Kihei and notice it is all but abandoned. Hmmm…we figured on a Saturday night it would be packed at the triangle. But the beach parking lot (used for overflow) is empty, so we figure, what the heck! We turn around and head to What Ales You? for a few night caps, some good music and equally good conversation.
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