Time to say Goodbye - Day 8

We began this morning like all the others, but Michellie was up and ready right away - what a switch from the start of the week.  We headed to our restaurant, and had our usual, and then got ready for the boat.  It once again needed to be fixed, but we were used to that and how the timing of the boat leaving the harbour was alway just perfect.  Today was part of the full moon cycle and an eclipse as well.  The water was running with different currents and the dolphins were scarce.  There were a few to greet us, and then they left.  We headed north and the water was very choppy.  We could not find the dolphins and had to keep travelling a long way.  David and Michellie ended up with sea sickness and spent all their time holding on to the boat.  All at once a Manta Ray was spotted, and then 11 surfaced.  Usually you have to take the boat out at night when they feed to find them.  Today, the waters had churned up the food and they were following some little microbes.  Chelsie-Anne and I jumped into the waters to be bitten by these little microbes, but the Manta's were too big a draw to care.  There were little pacman jelly fish, and long tubular jelly fish too.  But, the Manta's were incredible.  They were like angels floating in the water.  They would swim ahead of us, and then stop if we stopped.  At one point one turned to swim towards us, and Chelsie-Anne and I had to back paddle to get out of the way.  Another time we were just over top of one and it stopped. It opened its horn of skin on the front to expose an pearlescent shine that attracted the suns rays through the water.  It stopped and sat for what seemed like eternity or 60 seconds, and then it closed up the skin and swam away.  It was so surreal.  We feel very privileged to have been able to share such special moments with these incredible creatures. 

We headed back to the harbour since none of the boats could find the dolphins.  Once there, there was a small pod of about 20 - 30 swimming there.  It was in the boat channel, so we weren't supposed to swim there, but several boats parked and we jumped in.  We were all relieved to be able to say goodbye to the dolphins.  Michellie was quick into the water even after being sick.  David we let off at the docks as he couldn't handle any more topsy turvy water.  We swam in very murky water.  It was hard to see the dolphins until they were close, but they were swimming in circles around us, and they were calling.  It was so beautiful.  Afterwards we put down anchor and had our pineapple and lunch.  This time Michellie ate most of the pineapple herself.  We were all so happy to finish the day on a high note.



With Doug and Trish!



Upon our return we headed to the Cultural Center for the chance to make our own flower lei's.  This was so easy.  We were quick to finish our creations and then we headed upstairs to get ready for the gala.  We were heading to the Royal Kona Resort for "Lava Legends and Legacies" Luau.  We enjoyed incredible dancing and music.  As well as witnessed the unearthing of the roasted pig.  We tried Poi, and other Hawaiian delicacies.  It was a fun night.  We were all dressed to the nines and the pictures probably tell more.