Hawaii 2019 - Day 9

We booked a dolphin and turtle boat tour which had snorkeling.  We went to the tour and activity desk to do this the day before, and she recommended Hawai'i Nautical as she knew they had kids gear, mainly life vests.

We ate breakfast really early this morning as our shuttle for the boat was at 8:30 pick up in the lower lobby.  We were not late for the shuttle that picked us up, actually early.  It was a short couple block drive and then a walk down a beach to get to the boat.  There were only a total of 16 people on the boat that can fit 50.  It was glorious!

The wind was gusting up to 50 km/hr today, so the water was pretty rough, but MBM carb loaded at breakfast and took some gravol in order to be ok on the boat.  We relaxed on the journey towards the little bay where we were set to snorkel.

AA got in the water first, then B and Lola got in the water to join him.  B used the snorkel mask from the boat, while the rest of us used the equipment we brought.  The crew came out with us, Ryan a former lifeguard and fire fighter and Gail (we didn't talk as much with her). Our captain was Josh stayed on the boat.  The captain brought his 8 year old son, Noah on the trip this morning.

Out in the water, Ryan gave AA the life preserver thing (like from baywatch) in order to ensure the kids were good.  B grabed it and kicked her legs and put her face in the water.  She had a blast, and did so well.  We saw so many fish, got to touch 2 sea urchins and Ryan got to us, and lots of pretty coral.

The other 3 in our party, didn't have as much fun.  T thought he could go out on his own with the life preserver and didn't like the one that DD/MBM got (it was a little different looking), so he cried and didn't really enjoy the snorkeling.  Therefore MBM and DD didn't really get to see much.  It was too bad that both  B and T couldn't enjoy snorkeling at the same time.  B only lost 1 fin (which Lola got back on her foot), and had to take her mask off 3 times.

The current was pretty strong to it was difficult to get into bay but to get back, we could just coast.  On the way back, B and Lola tried to let T have the life preserver he wanted, so we went solo  Ryan went with us, but we didn't need any assistance.  Ryan was diving down to the bottom, B wanted to try it. Lola quickly told her no when she dove under with the snorkel (and helped her clear her tube).  What a brave swimmer.

Back on  the boat we enjoyed food and drink, as well as Noah and B had a great talk about the fish she saw (looking at a picture book).

We headed back to shore where we saw a few turtles when we were anchored.  Lola was a little disappointing we didn't see any turtles in the bay and no dolphins. But it was a great day on the boat.

Back at shore, we got our shoes, and headed back on the shuttle.  Back at the hotel we got ready for photos with Santa, as there was a huge craft sale at the hotel today.  We got there, and to our dissapointment he was gone at 1. We will try again tomorrow.

We went swimming for the rest of the afternoon at Kona Pool.  On our walk there, we saw so many turtles in the lagoon. In one spot there were 5 turtles. MBM napped hard.  The water felt really cold today, as there was a lot of cloud and a lot of wind.  The kids made up games in the pool, dove for rings and went down the "epic" water slide 2 times with DD and AA.

Wondering our way back to the hotel, to get ready for supper.  T was talking about Donkey Kong the whole way, it was crazy how much he remembers about the game he has only played a few times.

We got ready for our last dinner here at the hotel.  We went back to the Italian restaurant where the kids can play in the grass while the adults enjoy some adult time.  The food was good, and DD enjoyed his pizza so much, that is all we heard about.  The kids weren't as successful at playing with the other kids, until the end when we were leaving they had a great game in a rocket ship built out of the jenga blocks.

We walked to the lobby to see the Christmas trees all set up, and wait for the boat, as the kids have been asking to try get on one.  We waited, and finally got on,  it was packed as there was only 1 boat running and it goes so slow.

It was pretty slow, but T was happy we saw a grizzly bear statue as well as got to go right by the Buddha with the babies that they talk about every day.

After supper the kids went to bed, and the adults fell asleep too, but this evening, DD told Lola to wake him up at 9:05, like come into the room and get him.  MBM tried to wake him up but was unsuccessful, so Lola went over there with her key to go get him.

It was an early morning, so we only played a little of Over Cooked 2 before heading to bed.

Good night Lola.