Maui Sunday

After a busy Saturday, we used our last full day for some R&R. We spent the whole day lazing around on our beach and snorkeling and whale watching. Aaaahhhh...

This is the view from the front door of our hotel room, so pretty!

For dinner, we splurged at Nicks Fish Market at the Fairmont Orchid - an exquisite hotel. We watched the sunset, then had a delicious meal with a bottle of Rombauer Chardonnay.Kabocha Squash Soup

Their signature dish

A perfect night.

Maui Monday

A rainbow greeted us on our last day

Bye Maui, we love you!

Back to life, back to reality

After the perfect honeymoon in Maui, we're back in California...



It may be colder, but it's home.

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Farewell Maui

Molokai from the plane window



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Another tough day in Maui...

Today's Agenda:
1. Snorkel
2. Sit on beach
3. Kayak- maybe, maybe not


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Maui

First things first- a Mai Tai at Mamas!




We've only been here about 24 hours and already seen tons of birds, deer (?), lotsa colorful fish, humpback whales, cows, stray cats, egrets, and wierd mongoose thing. Maui is beautiful.
Today we drove about an hour to Honolua Bay. After a 10 min walk through tropical forest (are we on the set of Lost?) we got to a rocky bay and swam out to snorkel around the reefs. We saw a giant tuna and a long and skinny cigarry fish- I think an A'ha Needlefish. So many colorful fish... A lot of them reminded me of fish we had in our tank growing up.
After snorkeling- as I'm typing this we just drove past a huge goat thing-





... Anyways we went to sample the Hawaiian fare at Aloha Mixed Plate- yum. Except poi. Ooh and we saw a few whales playing in the water. Then we drove through Lahaina- coulda been Huntington Beach or Sausalito and headed to another snorkeling spot- miles of reef along the shore- Olowalu. Now we're headed back to our hotel to go to the beach and snorkel some more!
Makena Beach Resort






View from our balcony- partial ocean view :)











The beach right in front of our hotel












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Cat poo Coffee!

Kopi Luwak, Civet coffee, cat poo coffee... considered the most expensive coffee in the world! It passes through the digestive system of a cat- raccon - like animal called a civet, and then is collected, washed, dried, roasted and brewed. It comes from Indonesia, Phillipines, or East Timor. Chris Burns asked for some for Christmas, not thinking anyone would actually get him some, but surprise! He got enough to make one french press pot, and invited Chris and me over to share. It was delicious.








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Sisters in SF

Twas a nice day for a surrey through the Park, followed by a spot of tea

The best part was jamming to tunes off my iPhone

A beautiful SF sunset

Darts at Shammys

Wine Country - Dry Creek Road
We visited Ridge, Amista, and Dutcher Crossing.

Photo Contest Winner and Submissions

WINNER:
A warm, delicious Christamssy goodness (Lucy Sanders)

It says it all, Christmas cheer, jewelry, and beverage. Congrats Lucy!!

Xmas Eve 2008 (Emily Sanders)

The Lucy Sanders Mini Santa Hat Collection
(Lucy, Courtney, Ryan, Eva, Tim)

Macys Christmas Cat (Chris Elg)

Macys Window (Chris Elg)

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party (Virginia Sayer)

Sully and Binky in the Snow! (Virginia Sayer)

After a light snow in Cambridge (Lucy Sanders)

San Francisco's Union Square from above (Chris Elg)

Harvard Square

Christmas at the Mall (San Francisco, Katie Sanders)

After careful consideration I have decided to extend the Photo Contest until Xmas Eve so keep em coming and I'll post them and then pick winners and give prizes!