Day 5, Maui

Today at 6pm Maui-time, I turned 38. At that moment, I was in Lahaina Grill, about to enjoy the birthday dinner that my husband had purchased from across the ocean.

I was sporting the hand-made blown-glass pendant that I'd just bought from an artist collective down the street.

I don't think I've been this happy about getting older in a long time.

It was another fabulous day: I woke up early as usual and made myself a pot of Hawaiian coffee. I was out the door by 7am, driving north along the coast to Honolua Bay.

There wasn't a lot of signage this time. I just pulled over where some other cars were parked on the side of the road and got out. I walked about three minutes through beautiful jungle before emerging at the bottom of the bay. There were only about two other couples there.

I quickly donned my gear and slid into the water, the sun not yet reaching the shore. I saw so many fish, I can't even remember them all. I do remember the reef shark, the two turtles (one only three limbs!), the eel (at least one, maybe two), and I can tell you the names of the other fish if you ask me. My review is on TripAdvisor, you can read it there.

The walk to Honolua Bay

I started to get cold after an hour or so, so I got out. By then, there were 2 boats in the bay and loads of other people, including many (loud) children. I took some photos, went up to the lookout point (see photo above) and took some more photos. While up there, I saw a bunch of dolphins jumping and playing around the south point of the bay. Of course, I didn't get a picture of it. Still, amazing!

Then it was back to my condo and the beach there. Which I've written about and love. I read more of my book, which I also love.  And swam a bit when I got too hot. I headed back to the condo to have a shower before heading out to Lahaina for my birthday dinner.

Gordon had gotten me a gift certificate to the nicest restaurant in the town - what a good husband! But since I was early for my reservation, I went shopping and bought myself my usual souvenir: a local artist's necklace. I watched the guy blowing glass in the window for a good five minutes before going into the shop and falling in love with his pendants.

And then the aforementioned dinner. Hawaiian sea bass with a giant prawn, served over spectacular tart risotto. Followed by flourless chocolate cake with "kona coffee" ice cream (which really didn't taste very coffee-like, to be honest). They brought it out with a candle and took my picture and gave me a card from the staff. Then the ladies beside me and the guy behind me sang a little Happy Birthday. They all seemed weirded out that I was "alone" on my birthday, but I gotta say: I did not feel alone. Gordon had even called me there at the restaurant just after I ordered to say "happy birthday". It all made me feel pretty special.

And who doesn't like to feel special?!
More photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/webgoddesscathy/sets/72157634745933165/