Taking It Easy

I’ve extended my stay here, so I have two more mornings to snorkel rather than just one. Maya will be accompanying us today, so we have to pass on the more adventurous sites and choose a beach with easy entry, fresh water showers, and restrooms, relatively nearby, with easy parking. Sounds just like Ulua beach in Wailea, except for that last part if you arrive after 9:00…
 
After sitting in my car waiting for a space for 20 minutes, we finally were united on the beach and ready to see some fish. The waves were calmer than our earlier visit and the water perhaps a bit clearer. Still, it was challenging for a novice who hates any salt water in her mouth. Those of us who reached the outer edge of the reef discovered vast quantities of what appeared to be transparent jellyfish with some kind of rust-colored part inside, but no stings were felt. After tiring of fish viewing, we returned to the beach to assist Maya with her sandcastle construction. Around noon, we joined the exodus of overexposed visitors to our air conditioned accommodations.

Today’s lunch was a melange of “local” leftovers, ranging from kalua pig and spam musubi to ahi and octopus poke. We stir-fried organic green and yellow zucchinis with a Maui onion to provide some serious vegetable servings. While we were recovering from the sun, the carpet cleaners returned to assess progress in drying out the carpet and padding and reposition the hot air blowers.

For dinner we headed to the nearby Coconut’s Fish Cafe for fish sandwiches, fish and chips, and fish tacos. One order of tacos features two tortillas generously piled with pieces of grilled fish (one ono, one mahi), cole slaw, chopped tomatoes and mango cubes. Although messy to eat, the combination works. The other dishes also were well liked, so it is with great sadness that we express skepticism about the restaurant’s plans for franchises in California: we already have several outlets for fish tacos, and premium Hawaiian fish may well be too expensive to serve back home.

In the morning, we will have one last snorkel, and then later take in a concert of Hawaiian slack key guitar. This should put us in just the right spirit for the arduous journey home.