Day 3 in Maui

Day 3 was insane!

• Woke up at 2am (after going to bed a little after 10pm the night before). Got ready and went over to Amy's condo where we all met up at 2:30 to go to the wedding ceremony.
• Took off for Haleakala at 3am and got to Leilewi lookout a little under 2 hrs later
• Wedding ceremony was at the lookout--probably one of the most unique ceremonies ever--and I mean that in a good way. I thought there was some structure or building where the ceremony would be performed and some sort of official or minister to preside. Instead we were way out in the wilderness, above the clouds (after hiking in the dark for about 5-10 min from the parking lot with flashlights). And the officiant was Albert's friend, who was "ordained" over the Internet and specially authorized to perform their ceremony that day. I took the "official" video. Cheryl played the wedding music on violin. And to top it off, we were treated to one of the most awesome sunrises..ever! Very cool.

• After sunrise, we drove up to the summit to take more pictures, and then back down to Kula lodge for breakfast.
• Unfortunately, I was feeling REALLY sleepy and really had to struggle to stay awake on the drive down to the restaurant. Appletini were in my car, and I would have asked one of them to drive, but Jeff wasn't feeling well (he already left some..offerings..for Pele, the Volcano goddess) and Tina was asleep.
• Kula Lodge was pretty nice--missed the wood-fire pizza but breakfast was good and they have really nice gardens and a view too. Felt a lot better after breakfast.
• Went back to Wailea afterwards, hoping to get some sleep, but turns out they fumigated the condo--so we went back to the mall for some shopping and ice cream--and then crashed for a few hours before heading out to the reception.
• Reception was at Spago at the Four Seasons in Wailea--VERY nice restaurant. We got our own private patio outside with views of the beach and sunset.
  
• Food was awesome too. Here's the menu, for the foodies. And of course we took plenty of "food porn" pics =)
  
• Appetizers:
• Spicy Beef Satay with Ginger Soy Glaze
  Tempura Shrimp with Ginger Vinaigrette
  Island Kalua Pork Pizza with Roasted Pineapple
  Crab Cakes with Basil Aioli
  Kamuela Tomato Bruschetta with Basil Aioli and Parmigiano-Reggiano
  Spicy Ahi Poke in Sesame-Miso Cones
  
• Salads
  
• Vine Ripened Kamuela Tomato Salad with Yuzu-Balsamic Vinegar
  
• Soups
  
• Wild Mushroom Cappuccino (served like coffee, but it was a really thick soup, and really good, too)
  
• Pastas
• Chef’s Seasonal Risotto (corn Risotto)
  
• Entrees
  
• Pan Seared Seasonal Catch with Lobster Crushed Potatoes and Sauce “Americaine” (think it was Mahi-Mahi)
  or
  Grilled Prime Beef with Seasonal Vegetable and Armagnac Sauce
  
• (I had the vegetable curry and Cheryl had the stir-fry, which were not on the menu)
  
  
• Desserts
• Warm Decadent Valrhona Chocolate Purse (pastry filled with chocolate sauce, like the goopy stuff inside lava cake) with Hawaiian Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
  or
  White Chocolate Mousse with Fresh Passion Fruit Sauce (the sweet mousse went really well with the tangy sauce)
• Drinks
• Sake as we came in, plus champagne (for the toast), as well as white, red, and dessert wine

• My stomach was about to explode after all that food--but it was so worth it!
  
• Amy and Albert did a great job of planning everything, it went off really well. Cheryl played the music on the violin for the husband/wife, father/daughter dance--Albert did really well even though he was really nervous =). A couple of speeches by Davis and Winnie on how they hooked up Amy and Albert, and another entertaining speech by Rocky on Albert's bachelor life.
  
  

• Took a few pictures and explored the Four Seasons a bit after the reception, then back to the condo to crash--needed to get a lot of sleep so I could wake up for Molokini early the next morning!