Whale Watching.
If you ever visit Maui during the "winter" months (Dec - March), do yourselves a favor and book a whale watch cruise. Watching these amazing creatures from the shoreline is one thing, but in a boat and out on the water? The experience is indescribable. Trust me on this.
Yesterday, we met up with some friends for an afternoon out on the water in their Bayliner; it's been a relatively "quiet" whale season, so we would consider ourselves lucky if we were able to spot a few calves and their Mommas during our cruise. We launched right out of Ma'alaea Harbor and were not more than half a mile out when we spotted our first whales. The calves were breaching in their clumsy, still-not-completely-graceful ways, Mommas were gliding along fluidly next to their young, and escorts (the males) kept watch by bringing up the rear of the pods. It was beautiful.
To be out in the middle of the ocean in a small watercraft, surrounded by these gigantic creatures is exhilarating. To be close enough to hear the air spew from their blow-hole and watch the mist vaporize before your eyes is something to behold. It is a beautiful, surreal experience. Our first sighting made my pulse quicken and my heart flutter. God is GOOD.
This is a short video clip that officially made yesterday, February 13th, one of my best days on Maui...EVER. It was shot with my trusty little point-and-shoot so the quality isn't great but I think it captures the moment, don't you? (and you might want to turn your speakers down a bit...we're a rowdy bunch)
AMAZING, RIGHT?!
I have so many photos that I would love to share; as beautiful as they are, they pale in comparison to the video. Perhaps I'll do that in a separate post, as I'd still like to share Phil's video that he captured on his wide-angle camera.
In Sunday morning's post, where I wrote about being moody and cranky, I am quickly reminded that when I might feel challenged and anxious about...Life, God can wash those cares away in an instant. Sunday night's whale watch cruise was one such instance. When you immerse yourself in the amazement and wonder of God's playground, how can you possibly care about anything else?
Come to Maui. Let's go on a whale watch together. :)
OH WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW. That was so beautiful! I'm not kidding! I want to come to Maui now!
ReplyDeleteMotherly instinct is okay! My mom kinda griped at me just now when I was on the phone for her for working out twice today! (the spin class is an actual class and I only have so many days I can miss, the basketball is totally on me, you can be angry at me for that one!)
I promise I'm going to bed early tonight because I fell like poo.
I agree about the good writing, hopefully it'll kind of come back to me :)
Thanks for the get well wishes!
Mal
OMG! We go to Hawaii frequently (headed back the end of the month to the Big Island) and always are on the hunt for whales. That clip was amazing!!!! Thanks for posting it.
ReplyDeleteOOOOHHHHHH MYYYYYY!!!! I had to watch it twice! That was awesome!!! So cool!!!! I want to come Whale watching with you!!! I love the picture!!! I hope that you had a beautiful day!
ReplyDeleteThat was incredible. I hope in my lifetime I can see that in person. For now, I will live vicariously through your blog. And if I ever come to Maui, you'll be the first person I contact. :)
ReplyDeletesimply theeeee best! i love wildlife, nature and all things God makes! it's truly wonderful and sounds like y'all had a marvelous time! wish we were there with because i could have used this! xoxo sweetie...muahh
ReplyDeleteI had to watch this more than once! That is unbelievable! That makes me want to at least come and visit now! How amazing, lucky for you! My goodness! Your picture is lovely! Happy Tuesday!
ReplyDeleteWe've been whale watching in Maine before and saw TONS of them. At one point the guide said "just look, they're everywhere". We were on a much larger boat than a Bayliner and didn't get quite that up close and personal with them but loved it all the same. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE those kinds of experiences! AMAZING video!
ReplyDeleteoh my gracious. how incredibly beautiful. thank you for sharing your beautiful space with us:)
ReplyDeleteEPIC!
ReplyDeleteThat was a once in a lifetime experience yea? I can't believe how opportune a photo op that was.
That makes my heart happy to see simple and amazing beauty like that in this world still. This world might be going in bad dirrections all over the place, but seeing something like that gives me faith that there is still simple beauty to delight in.
INCREDIBLE!! Thank you for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteOMG!!!! AMAZING!!! I'm totally in awe - just sitting here with my jaw dropped. What an experience!! Thank you so much for sharing this with us.......
ReplyDeleteBTW...I nominated you for stylish blogger award.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely incredible! Glad you had such a great time! You deserve it! The first photo is absolutely stunning, the sorbet of the sky is incredible. I want to go back to Hawaii!!!!! Booooo!
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a blessed week friend! xo
I have only seen Whales like that once... many moons ago!! I am SO very thankful God gave us amazing creatures and an amazing playground in which to play... His world is sooo very soothing!! This Sunday I HAD to get out and be in God's world too... only very very different playground! ha ha! How I long to visit/live on your islands!! =)
ReplyDeleteAng! Free Willy!! Haha I love it :) That's such a romantic way to spend Valentine's Day. I'm so happy you both had such a gorgeous day together. When I come to Hawaii we are so Whale Watching!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Katie
omg! how absolutely awesome was that?!
ReplyDeleteOkay you just brought all the memories back of a couple weeks ago!!The best memory I had was our whale watch tour! It was amazing watching God's creation at play. I want to be back there so much!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm on my way! haha
ReplyDeleteOur three trips there have been in fall and winter so we've had the privilege of witnessing humpback season. We always stay at Napili Bay and our fav place to eat breakfast each morning was The Gazebo. They have a bell out there to ring when you see a breach and I always had to pinch myself because I felt like I was in heaven when we'd be sitting out there eating and hear the bell and see the whales. AMAZING.
and omg that breach so close up?!?!? awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous and amazing. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAmazing!
ReplyDeleteWow! YAY! Love the sound effects! My exact words!
Seriously...open a B&B and we'll be there!
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I missed this one... HOLY CRAP!!! I almost jumped out of my chair when that freaking huge whale jumped out of nowhere like that!!!!! How amazing that you caught that on camera!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWOW! What an incredible experience!
ReplyDelete