Perfect paddling!

No shark excitement today thankfully.  Just beautiful conditions for paddling and a mostly clear sky with comfortable temperatures.  Even the top of Haleakala was completely clear!  It was 9 a.m. again today by the time I got out on the ocean and the sea was glassy with just a few bumps to make it fun.  I paddled down to the boat ramp and by the time I got there, the pontoon tour boat was already there!  There were over a dozen people snorkeling, so chances were slim that I would get to see any turtles.  The problem is that at the tourists are excited and noisy which I think disturbs the usual serenity.  I paddled beyond the tour boat, to the other side of the boat lane and waited.  Pretty soon two turtles surfaced, one on my left and one on my right!  Then I paddled out a bit further, and I got surrounded by four more turtles.  I think I had all the turtles out with me!  I hung out with them for a few minutes and then one more turtle joined us.  I was excited the turtles came around and when I started paddling back, another turtle popped up in front of me just as I passed the tour boat!  That was eight turtles in all when I thought I wouldn’t see any…. any day I see a turtle is a good day.  The conditions stayed perfect all the way back and all through my swim.  Great day on Maui!