2019-05-11: Hula Pie and Wave Warriors

Today started out like all the rest, just a little later, and by a little later I mean 8am. On our way in to the Windjammer for breakfast we came across a pirate gal, Darrell and Patrick hopped into the picture but Michael was feeling a little shy and hid behind his mom. After a quick breakfast, we organized ourselves for a beach day and made our way down to the tender line. We got a chance to walk down the I-95 on our way to our tender and learned without incident not to stand in the red boxes. They outline where doors open into the hallway.

We boarded our tender and made our way into Lahaina. We decided to wait for the transfer shuttle to get to Whaler’s Village in Ka’anapali and discovered we have monkeys for children. We also learned the trees are really good for climbing. Patrick took the time to show Michael how to get up into the tree. After waiting for 20 minutes with no shuttle in sight, we bailed on the shuttle idea and hopped in a taxi. At this point it was already 11:30 a.m. and we didn’t want to waste any more time with the precious little we had today. It was a quick ride and for $20 including tip we were there in a flash.

First stop was lunch at Hula Grill. It isn’t a trip to Maui without lunch with your toes in the sand and Hula pie to finish it off! We all enjoyed our lunches. Darrell and Amanda enjoyed the Kahlua pork and pineapple flatbread, Patrick munched down a cheese burger and Michael polished off a grilled cheese with a big bowl of fresh pineapple on the side. We had the sweetest little waitress with a little baby bump just starting to show. We shared a piece of hula pie between the four of us before heading to the beach.

This is where the day went sideways… We blew up the kids tubes and started to enjoy the waves. The waves were pretty strong and before Amanda knew it her sunglasses had been washed off and were heading out to find Shamu. Next, Micahel’s goggles decided to go find a sea turtle and disappeared in the waves. We continued to play in the waves but Darrell and Amanda were becoming more aware of how dangerous the surf was as it crashed into the shore line. Darrell looked over and watched Patrick getting tossed around on the shoreline like a rag doll and. in an attempt to get to him, got tossed to the ground by a wave and buggered up his left shoulder. That was the last straw. We called the kids up out of the water and called it quits at the beach. Poor little Michael was devastated and cried his broken little heart out. Patrick was none too impressed either but Darrell was in pain and Amanda wasn’t comfortable being in the water with such strong waves rolling in.

Amanda convinced a cab driver to drive the whole damp family back to the port so Darrell could go see the ship doctor and get his shoulder checked. We weren’t sure if it was a collarbone issue or a dislocated shoulder and we knew we didn’t have time for a trip to a medical clinic on land. When we arrived back at the port Darrell headed straight for the tender station and made his way back to the ship. With a little time left, Amanda and the boys made a couple last minute purchases before heading back to the ship. We were in a Whalers General store checking it out when Michael located little wooden men and women in a barrel. When you lift the barrel up the private parts pop up! Oh my goodness! Of course he had to show his brother. Amanda couldn’t get the boys away from them fast enough.

After a quick and uneventful tender ride back to the ship Amanda and the kids made a b-line for the cabin to check on Darrell. He wasn’t there but returned shortly as the medical center was closed from 11-4 and it was only 3:15pm. He found a spot and made himself comfortable to wait until the medical bay opened. In the meantime, Amanda and the kids took turns getting cleaned up and washing off all the sand. Amanda is pretty sure she is going to be combing sand out of Patrick’s hair for the next 6 months. It seems like it is really wedged in there.

At 4pm the kids went up to Adventure Ocean and Amanda took Darrell down to the Medical Bay. It was a quick trip in with nobody else there. The nurse took him in quickly and concerned with the incident info took Darrell for x-rays right away. After a quick visit with the doctor she determined he has a sprained or torn ligament in his shoulder. The good news is, it only requires a sling and some Advil. The bad news, it’s gonna take its time to heal.

After helping Darrell get properly cleaned up and dressed for dinner we made our way down to the dining room. Kadek and Clive were curious about what happened to Darrell and were relieved to know it will be okay in a few days. During dinner we raised anchor and said so long to Maui. The kids munched down there dinners quickly and before we knew it they were heading back to Adventure Ocean. Having Patrick able to sign them in and out of the kids program has been a really great option for us and it is giving Patrick a real sense of responsibility and freedom.

Darrell and Amanda decided to go watch the early show; the comedy act of Wilde and James. There was juggling and jokes and a 6 ft. unicycle. They pulled in a kid from the audience to do a couple of routines with them, including juggling two 16 lb bowling balls and a raw egg. The show was so enjoyable we went to see if the kids wanted to see it. Michael decided to stay in the kids club and Patrick decided he’d like to see they show. So off we went back to the theater for the later show. Patrick decided he wanted to be front and center, so front row seating it was. We enjoyed the second show and this time Darrell got to be part of the show when they jumped off the stage and demanded he give them all his money while pointing juggling batons and then machetes at him. They also gave him a little hair cut before giving up and getting back to the stage. Patrick enjoyed the show and thought it was awesome when his friend Evan ended up on stage for the bowling ball juggling routine.

After the show we popped into the shops with Patrick for a few minutes before Darrell went up to spring Michael from kids club at 10 p.m. When Patrick and Amanda made it back to the room, Darrell sent Amanda out for a walk, he needed a minute with tomorrow being Mother’s day to get the boys organized. So she wandered off and found a seat in the library to enjoy some quiet and play on her phone. By the time she returned at 10:45 p.m. the boys were all ready for bed and it was time for lights out. We got Darrell and his wing comfortable and said our final farewells to Hawaii. The trip has been busy so far, now we get to sit back and relax for our 5 day crossing.