ZIP DAY!!!!!!!

Aloha everyone!!! Yesterday was probably one of the most exciting days so far. We got up early as usual and went to a breakfast at a place called, Gazebo. The locals highly recommended it, however the wait in line is typically about 1 hour. However, the view from where you were waiting was absolutely breath taking. And of course I left my camera back at our house. We will be going back there again, so I promise to get a picture of it then. In the mean time, I will just describe it. It sat right on the shore of the beach overlooking the ocean. The open deck faced the shore, and as you ate your yummy breakfast, you were able to watch and listen to the waves as they crashed up onto the rocks. While waiting in line to experience this paradise breakfast, there was a short storm that rolled through. When it rains here, it rains hard, but doesn't usually last more than a couple of minutes. Everyone standing in line grabbed the umbrella's provided by

Gazebo (obliviously this happens often) lol, and huddled together to keep everyone dry. Like I said before, after about a 3 minutes torental down poor, it cleared up and the

sun came out. Revealing a gorgeous vivid rainbow. Again, I was kicking myself for forgetting the

camera. It finally was our turn to sit and we got an awesome seat, perfect view of the ocean. Shea had the banana macadamia nut pancakes and I went with the all traditional, eggs and bacon. Shea was cracking me up because even though the pancakes were burning his mouth, he said they were too delicious to not keep shoveling them in. LOL.

After we were finished it was off to go and get check in for our tour. Everyone was so nice and our group of people in our tour were so much fun. After getting all geared up, we piled into the mean machine (will find out the name of this vehicle and update later). On the way up, one of the guides told a brief history on the mountains and also a couple of neat tips. The zipline is on one of the most sacred mountains in Maui, and they had to get a special "ok" from one of the elders, to be able to build it. He also showed us a pineapple field. I had no idea how pineapples grew, or didn't realize that it takes the first pineapple 2 years to grow. We also learned a neat locals trick to getting the most flavor out of your store bought pineapple. You want to take the top piece off then flip it upside down and put it in your ice box for 24 hours. All the sugars that were on

the bottom of the pineapple soak

down through the rest of it and make

the whole pineapple so much sweeter! Definitely going to give that one a try. :)

We reached the top and we all pile out and head over to our first zip. There was some hiking involved, but the scenery was so pretty. Our first zip we had to cross the only suspended bridge in Maui. I have never been on one before and it was rather scary. LOL. The tour guides took lots of pictures throughout the day, and we got our picture taken on this bridge. The video gives you a good idea on how high up we were, check it out!

After we got across the bridge, our instructor, Smitty, asked who wanted to go first. Nobody spoke up, so I gladly shot up my arm and volunteered us. LOL. The weather was pretty crazy that day, very windy and even some slight rain at times. Shea and I laughed as we realized that the last time we went Zip Lining in Horseshoe Bend, we got rained on too. However a little wind and rain wasn't going to slow down these two dare devils. This particular Zip Line tour was the only one in Hawaii that has two cables, allowing you to race down with your significant other or friend. After a brief instruction, we are strapped on and ready to go! They open up the wood gate and have you place your feet on either side, bracing yourself, and on the count of three you release your feet and go! At everyone, he had us look back and give the hang loose sign, and he

would take your picture.

Each zip required some minor hiking to get to the next one. The pathways were covered in green, which made for great eye candy. Our third zip was the most fun and longest zip at 2300feet. Still nobody wanted to go first, so Shea and I took the lead. We walked up and got strapped in. This time we had to sit right on the edge of this platform about 40 feet off the ground, with our feet hanging

over the edge. It was really intimidating. LoL. I’ll let the video speak for itself.

After our fourth and final zip we walked down to the Giant Swing! It was a pendulum swing. Two people are hooked up to it, one on either side of the bar. Then the rest of us would grab a hold of the rope and run as fast as we could, raising the couple high into the air. The swing was setup so that you are the one that has to release the trigger. Shea was in control of that for us. As how the whole day went, we again were the first to go. Once we were raised up the

countdown started. 3………..2………..1! There was a 2 second free fall before it caught and continued to swing us out over a cliff. After about two or swings back and forth, he told us to release our hands completely from the bar and lean back as far as you could for a picture.

We laughed pretty hard when we watch this video, that swing was so much fun. I would do it again in a heart beat.

Once everyone had a turn to go we all sat down for some lunch. We all laughed and shared our experience with one another. We then got into a waiting van and they drove us back. We had such an amazing time, I so happy we made this one of our adventures.

This trip has been really life changing for me in so many positive ways. I feel like our marriage has grown so much since we have been here. I'm learning who I really am, and what things in life really matter. I feel absolutely blessed to be able to see and experience everything here in this beautiful Island of Maui. I'll leave you all with a few random pictures from the trip so far. Will update more soon!!!!!!!!!