Maui the Surfer's Paradise

After our travel and adventure time in Western Australia, we were looking forward to a relaxing time on Maui, with sleeping in, reading, chilling, and enjoying long breakfasts in our pajamas... Our apartment had a dream view of the Pacific Ocean at Kamaole Beach. And as we sat comfortably together, Papa spotted a large sea turtle swimming right by the beach and the peace was over. The girls quickly got ready with their snorkels and fins, and the next adventure began. Snorkeling with the Hawaiian green sea turtles in the warm Pacific water was fantastic, and we could do it daily.

After a few days of Pacific beach time, we went in search of the waves, and on the first try, Larissa and Kira stood on their surfboard like pros. Even the little/big Rafaela soon mastered it like the grown-ups. Papa, of course, and Mama also surfed the waves, it was an amazing experience and we repeated it several times!

In between, we went on exciting hikes in the rainforest, among tall bamboo forests that sounded like wind chimes in the wind. These hikes led us to large waterfalls and natural pools. Larissa celebrated her 12th birthday in Hawaii with lots of surprises, cocktails, and flowers!!

After a week in paradise, our niece flew in and was overwhelmed by the warmth, the beach, and the turtles. Jessica hardly had time to catch her breath and sleep because our girls wanted to show and tell her everything, all at the same time, 'what chaos'!!!

A great experience was the sleeping volcano 'Haleakala', which is over 3,000 meters above sea level (with an underwater mountain higher than Mount Everest!). Although we missed the sunrise up there, even though we got up early in the morning. Because of the many tourists, you now need a reservation, which of course we didn't know.... Nevertheless, we still enjoyed the incomparable landscape of this volcanic mountain range. Our 4 girls received the Junior Ranger Book from the park ranger, where they had to explore the peculiarities of this national park. Their ambition was ignited and we learned a lot about the world of volcanoes through self-study. In the end, our girls were honored in a lively ceremony as real 'Junior National Park Rangers', awarded with a genuine badge.

Maui with its bustling and vibrant North Shore, for example, Hookipa - where big waves arrive in winter and dozens of sea turtles appear every afternoon for 'tea', is just as unique as the town of Paia or Lahaina, the former whaling town. Or the south side with Kihei, where it's always hot and inviting for a swim that lasts for hours.

To conclude our trip, we visited a typical Hawaiian Luau - of course, performed for tourists - but still very entertaining with traditional Polynesian dances. And the kids were allowed to get a Henna tattoo. That's a painted tattoo that lasts for about 2 weeks. They were very proud of it.