Tuesday morning we were (already) up early for one of my most anticipated events of the whole trip – a whale watching tour.  I have always been obsessed with whales and dolphins, and although I had been on a whale watching tour in Monterey back when Lily was two (twenty years ago), I have been wanting to go again ever since.  All of us (except for Kate and Randy) came on the tour and although it was a bit windy and the seas were rough, it was one of the most unique and amazing things I have ever experienced.

From the very beginning, you could see whales breeching and spouting from a distance, and so our boat driver tried to get us closer.  Like I mentioned, it was windy, and so the ocean was very choppy, but what we discovered is that whales love the wind, and because of it, they were extra active.

Before we knew it, we were getting the most spectacular show.  I risked a lot by bringing my real camera with me on the boat, but I wanted to get pictures better than what I could get on my phone – and wow, I did!!  I did spend the entire time protecting my camera from all the spray from the waves by hiding it under my poncho, but it was worth it.  I mean – wow!

Kevin and I were having the best time, and yes, we were drenched within the first few minutes, but it was worth it.

Toward the end, we had a super unique experience, of a juvenile male Humpback coming over closer to our boat.  We had to turn the boat off, since he was so close, but then we just floated and enjoyed the spectacular show.  It was as if he was lonely, since he was too young to mate, and so he came to hang out with us.

Eventually, he got even closer, which was awesome.  We would even get wet when he cleared his blowhole!

He really ended up so close to our boat, and at one point, he even swam upside down under our boat, which was so cool and also terrifying.  I mean, just loook at how close he was.

And just as we thought it couldn’t get any cooler, just like the whale show at Sea World, he totally splashed the boat!  It was hilarious, and our captain called it a “Maui Mugging.”  Good times!!

Soaking wet, but happy and fulfilled by our amazing experience, we headed back to port.  On our way back to the resort, Kevin and I stopped at this cinnamon roll place he had looked up, and the cinnamon rolls were bigger than your head.  We bought enough to share with the group, and then headed back to clean up and meet everyone by the pool.

We ended up sitting by the pool for hours, just enjoying being free from all the trappings of normal life.  Kevin even got us virgin Lava Flows, a favorite drink of Dennis and Valerie when they come here.  Later on, I had to get a picture of Kevin and Dennis sound asleep in the same pose.  Good times!  At one point, I did get up to venture down the beach to the craft fair with Shannon and Valerie, where I got some fun little things for the kids, and a necklace for me.

After a few hours, Kevin and I did venture out to find some dinner, although it was another case of the place having a handwritten “I am on vacation” sign on the door.  Seriously, so unlucky.  Oh well.  It was a fantastic day.  We actually wrapped up the day with a fun game of Five Crowns at Brian and Rachel’s room with Randy, Valerie and Dennis.  Very fun.