MAUI VACATION DAY 1 :: KAANAPALI, HI :: Kristie and I have been looking forward to this much deserved vacation - six incredible days on Maui to forget about work, relax, and play! The highlights of the trip included: sailing on a catamaran to Lānaʻi, chasing manta rays and baby dolphins, snorkeling with sea turtles, swimming in the purest seawater in the world, enjoying a sunset luau, braving the twisting and lush road to Hana, stepping barefoot on black sand beaches, hiking through a bamboo forest, spying on a nude beach, walking amongst the cinder cones of a volcano, and watching the most amazing sunset from the summit of Haleakala, ten thousand feet above the surrounding ocean.

Many thanks to Kristie's mom, who offered us a room at The Whaler on Kaanapali Beach. The location couldn't have been better. Kaanapali is the best beach in all of Maui, lined with a walkway that weaves between the sand and the resorts. From our room we could walk to the adjacent Whalers Village, where we could shop, eat and rent our snorkeling gear. Just a short walk up the beach is Black Rock, which is the best snorkeling spot on the island. Our room in The Whaler was great, with floor to ceiling windows, a full kitchen, a large lanai to watch the ocean sunset, complimentary internet access and powerful air conditioning - it was sunny and 87 every single day. Thank you, Mom!

I will be posting many more photos from our vacation soon.