Happy in Hawaii Onboard Radiance of the Seas - Day 7

The path to paradise

This would be our final port day and we wanted to make the most of our last day in Maui.
 
We made plans to meet the kids in Lahaina around 10:00am and we took some time to stroll through the downtown, do a little souvenir shopping and check emails at a coffee shop with internet access. 

Banyan trees in Lahaina

Main Street in Lahaina

​While we were wandering around we came across a surf shop – Outrageous Surf.  Laura had expressed interest in Kona about surfing so after talking with the owner, we booked the kids for a 2-hour surf lesson.
 
Once they arrived and found out the news they were surprised we weren’t also participating.  One thing led to another and the next thing we knew we were all suiting up for some time in the water.

Surfers!

​We had a quick lesson on land before hitting the waves.  The instructor was patient (thank goodness) as it took Denis and I many tries before we were able to get up on the waves and then actually stay up on the board.  The kids got it quite quickly and before long we were all riding the waves on the coast of Maui!  I was surprised at just how difficult it is to stand up on the board and then stay balanced while maneuvering the roll of the water.  The surfers you see on the big waves make it look so easy.  But it most certainly is not!

A professional

Show off!

Finally got up on this board!

Riding the waves

​After the 2 hours, we were sore and thoroughly exhausted (well the adults were...) so we packed up the boards, got changed and headed up to Napili beach on recommendation of our instructor.  It was a long, sandy beach with beautiful, blue water.  Perfect for our last day in Hawaii. 
 
We first had lunch at the Sea House restaurant overlooking the beach and then spent the remainder of the afternoon lounging on the beach and playing in the waves.  There were big, wonderful waves that we let drag us back and forth across the shore. What a fun time!  We waited until the last possible minute before dragging ourselves out of the water and heading back to the airport to return the rental car. 

Lunch at Sea House Restaurant

Aloha!

Beautiful views from the restaurant

Napili Beach

Fun in the water

We don't want to leave!!!

​We were quiet as we took the tender back to the ship and waved goodbye to Lahaina – the last land we would see now for 5 more days.

On our way back to the ship

​Our evening dinner in the dining room was chicken cordon bleu and shell pasta with tomato sauce.

Chicken cordon bleu

Shell pasta with tomato sauce

​Afterwards we first enjoyed karaoke followed by the Headliner show – ventriloquist Kevin Johnson.  He was very talented and also quite funny.  The act included various puppets and they sang and interacted with the audience quite a bit. During part of the show we were wondering how he was actually doing some of the bits.  It was one of the best shows that we saw on the ship.
 
We headed off to bed knowing that tomorrow would be a day to sleep in and all we had planned was a lazy day at sea.

Continue to Day 8 - click here