Looming Barrier

 Maui's Mermaids were kind enough to let me swim with them down to the Wall (or what I call the Cliffs of Doom) this morning. Swimming to that looming, dark barrier was a first for several of them, but conditions were perfect and the trek was a joyful experience. Due to their smooth face extending below the water's surface, we were able to do flip turns and push off to begin our return swim.

Living Ferris Wheels

Traveler's Palms look a bit like ferris wheels from a distance. No matter how they were planted, the leaves (almost) always line up in an east-west direction, giving orientation aid to passing travelers. 

Hooray. It turns out the new camera I am planning on taking on my long trek this spring is also capable of taking painting-like photographs. I will have a lot of fun with this feature.

And Then There Were Two

 We moved the swim a few miles south this morning due to a stiff north breeze blowing across the ocean.

Even so, Jonathan and I were the only ones to actually go out swimming, and are we ever happy that we did.

The water was spectacularly clear, there was no surge at all, and we were surprised to discover that we were warmer underwater than we had been on shore. How sad that everyone else missed out on a great swim.

Frozen Maui Wonderland

 Here's a sight I don't experience on Maui often. Our small ponds froze over last night in the bitter cold.

Okay, just kidding. Although it did get down into the sixties [brrr].

These are salt water puddles which are drying up and leaving salt crystals.

Floating Bicycles

 The newest toy at the Andaz resort is the floating bicycle (I do not know what they are actually called). The pedals turn a bicycle chain which drives a propeller, not the expected paddle wheel.

Beach weather continues to be spectacular, not at all our usual windy winter weather.

But it is still cool enough to make brunch on the beach a great experience.

Sea Turtle Viewing

Water clarity was surprisingly bad this morning, but sea turtle viewing was excellent.

New Skill Set

 Because I specialize in Architectural Photography, and my area of expertise was interiors, I didn't used to feel comfortable shooting outdoor areas.

But thanks to the practice this blog has given me, I'm actually having fun working outside. And my clients like my new skills as well.