Hawaii - Day 4 & 5

More sunny and windy weather - temps in the high 20's - lots of beach & pool time cooling off and reading.  What's not to love.

We rented a car for one day and did a tour around Wailea and Kihei.  Quickly learned that we couldn't afford Wailea!  Pretty deluxe with very high end resorts, shopping and homes of movie stars such as Jack Nicolson and Michelle Pfiefer.  Our tour took us back to Lahina for dinner.  Lahina is an old whaling village with lots of character.

Lahina sunset

Yesterday we went on a snorkel trip to Molokini crater and Turtle arches.  The wind was blowing fierce at the dock but this improved offshore.  I was definitely nervous about snorkeling - the sea was a bit choppy at the crater but went armed with 3 layers of flotation (wet suit top, life jacket and noodle!) and it was amazing.  The water was so clear and warm and the reefs and fish were fantastic. We even saw sea turtles and moray eels - definitely worth doing.

Snorkel trip - with Molokini crater in the background

We walked back over to Whalers village for dinner last night and timed it for another Hawaiian sunset.  The sun goes does early and fast here, dipping down behind Lanai around 5:45 with beautiful colors to follow.

Can you ever get enough of Hawaiian sunsets!

Today is our last full day here.  We've got a walk up to Starbucks for breakfast and spa treatments in our future for today.

Hawaii - Day 3

We're really getting into this Island lifestyle.  We started today with a walk along the beach to Starbucks - the Starbucks is at the Marriott which is just under a 2 km walk away along the beach-walk.  It was one of those typical Hawaii mornings where it was misting and sunny at the same time - hence the rainbow.

Kaanapali is a beach resort which has a path along the beach from one end to the other as well as a free shuttle and an outdoor shopping centre (Whalers Village).  It's really nice to be able to get around so easily.  The bus to Lahina also leaves from Whalers Village ($2) so we've avoided having to rent a car so far.

We spent considerable time today at the beach and pool and in the water.  I declared that it was great to unwind and slow down from my hectic work schedule - Phil teased this was a bit of a step up from his retirement daily schedule!  Great for us to meet in the middle :)

Tried the Mai Tai's today - it is Hawaii after all!  Seriously alcohol heavy.  I only managed 1/2 of it.  Prefer the sweeter Rum Swizzles from Bermuda but gotta try it since we're here.

Our big adventure today was the Luau - quite the show!  The excavation of the pig got derailed by the appearance of a mouse who was scurrying back and forth under the blanket covering the pig - right after they had us all move over to the pit to see the uncovering.  They decided to not unveil the pig (wise move) - turns out that they already had pork from a previous pig in the buffet.  The show was fantastic - with a fire twirling finale.  We chatted with a lovely couple on their honeymoon from Virginia.  They got up at 3 in the morning to drive up a treacherous road to see the sun come up over the volcano - turns out the clouds were so thick that they ended up wet and cold with no sunrise - I think we made a smart choice to pass on this activity.

Hawaii - Days 1 and 2

We arrived very late into Hawaii and had no real idea what anything looked like until the next morning.

Days 1 and 2 have been very low key.   Our duplex style cottage has a lanai overlooking Kaanapali golf course.  We've spent lots of time there already just relaxing and reading our books.  We're also steps from the beach the other way and went for a nice dip yesterday.  For those who are surprized that I have gone in the water, let alone the ocean, there is photographic proof!  

Kaanapali golf course from our Lanai

Breakfast - Day 1

Swimming - the water is fantastic and so refreshing - it's been hot!

We went into Lahaina today for lunch and cruised some of the shops.  Then back to our resort to watch the sunset.  

Tomorrow Phil has agreed that we can go to a hotel up the beach where they have a Starbucks for breakfast!   Then we'll sort out what else we're going to do.  We have a few tours we want to do so need to get busy and get them booked!

Aloha

Calgary

Calgary has an awesome zoo.  They have enormous dinosaurs that move and roar!  We also went through the Canadian Wild exhibit (Cougars, bears, Buffalo, elk, sheep owls etc). Fun family day.

Jasper

Excellent day in Jasper on Saturday.   We did a tour around town and then off to see the sights.  Athabasca Falls was spectacular and interesting to see where the water has created deep channels and then retreated.  Once the clouds lifted, we went up the Jasper tramway.  It was pretty chilly up at the top with great views down on the town and along the valley.  We thought we'd have a nice picture of us with the valley off in the background but a cloud quickly rolled in behind us obscuring scenery.

Alberta - safely in Jasper

We had a long (9 hr) but uneventful drive to Jasper.  We've got a lovely chalet right on the banks of the Athabasca river.  Noted upon arrival were 3 large elk on the property - a mom with calf and a bull with the most enormous antlers.  It's raining this morning but expected to stop so we're off to a slow start and will head into town and then perhaps go up the tramway and/or visit Athabasca falls later.

Bermuda - Home today

Heading home today.

We did a survey at dinner last night on favorite parts of the week.  Some of the winners included:

• Hanging out with the boys
• Golf at Tuckers
•  Mini golf at Dockyards
• Fishing with grandpa
• Birthday cake
• Train
• Deep see fishing
• Spa
• and so much more

It's been such a great family vacation.  Huge thanks to Suzy and Simon for everything this week.

Love 

Anne and Phil

xoxo

Bermuda - more family pics

Some more wonderful family photos.

Bermuda Day 7

Happy Birthday Thomas and Zach! We had a train ride around town to celebrate the birthdays followed by pizza and cake back at the house. A great success!

Then grandpa and Matt took Ben fishing. Nothing was caught but Ben declared that it was his most favorite part of the day.

Phil and I had dinner out to celebrate our anniversary at Blu restaurant. Catch of the day was mahi mahi so that was definitely what I would have - it was so good. It was followed by a lemon soufflé - wow! I'm going to have to try and replicate that.

Tomorrow is our last full day. I can't believe it's coming to an end so soon. Phil and I are heading off to St. George's for some sightseeing and shopping tomorrow. Our last trip to St. George's saw a re-enactment of a dunking for the serious crime of being a nag and a gossip!

Bermuda Day 6

Today was a trip to Dockyards and Mini Golf.  It was the most amazing course. The first 6 holes were fashioned from some of the best in Bermuda, holes 7 - 12 were modeled after famous US courses such as Sawgrass and Pebble Beach and the last 6 around St. Andrews, including having to shoot around the famous clubhouse (see pic) built with a white Bermuda roof! The ocean views - 2nd to none.

Dinner tonight was fish tacos with fish caught by Phil (see yesterday) with pineapple salsa - one of Matt's specialties.

Tomorrow it's the birthday train for Zach and Thomas followed by cake and pizza.

This wonderful week is flying by way too fast