Mourning Maui

Jason and I arrived home in Boston yesterday afternoon (Sat 6 Sept). It was bittersweet departing Maui. (See picture, Jason crying in the Maui airport.) Maui is a gorgeous and beautiful island, how lucky we are to have it as our 50th state. It is the ultimate playground of nature from hiking in rainforests and volcanos, to snorkeling in the clear bays, to identifying the exotic birds. All good things must come to an end, but the memories and ditigal pics live on.

Dragon's Teeth

Yesterday (Thur 4 Sept) was our last official day in Maui. (Our flight leaves tomorrow at 5 PM) So the main goals today are to relax, relax, and relax. We started the day with another snorkeling outing to Napili shores. Unfortunately, the tide was strong so the viewing was not the best. However, we relaxed at the beach and the pool. Lunchtime, we hit our local favorite Maui Tacos and took a 10 minute drive north of our hotel to Makalua-puna point, also known as Dragon's Teeth. The lava is different in this location then in most Hawaiian areas, denser and lighter in color. The salt spray etched the lava into the thrusting mounds, rightly named Dragon's Teeth. To view the area we cut through the Ritz Carlton golf course. According to the guidebook, the Ritz Carlton was supposed to be built on the cliff area, however, when digging started it was realized that the area was an ancient Hawaiian burial ground. Locals protested and hotel plans changed, however not before 900 bodies had been dug up. In the bay below, we were treated to another spectacular sea turtle sighting. We headed back to the hotel and took another dip in the hotel pool. We ended the day watching our last sunset in Maui.

Highway to Hana

Yesterday (Wed 3 Sept) Jason drove the famous road to Hana. I directed from the passenger seat. Heeding to the guidebook recommendations, we left early to start our day to avoid heavy traffic. The total distance to Hana was 70 miles from hotel, over 30 miles on the "Hana Highway". However, getting to Hana is the not the goal, the Hana Highway consists of narrow road with 54 one-lane bridges winding along the ocean cliffs and lush green valleys and waterfalls. Driving the road to Hana is not for the weak at heart. Careful passive assertive driving is key. Jason and I couldn't resist stopping numerous times along the way to take amazing picturesque photos of waterfalls and ocean views. We arrived in Hana (population: 1875) at lunchtime. We stopped for a lunchbreak at the Hana Ranch Restaurant, where I enjoyed a delicious grilled Ono fish sandwich and a refreshing glass of "passion-aid", while sitting outside with a view of the ocean in the distance. After lunch, Jason offered two of his Dramamine to a very grateful women suffering from motion sickness, a common complaint after traveling the road to Hana. Outside the lunch spot, I snapped a picture of Jason in front of the Hana US post office, a space no bigger than my current work office. Too bad we had nothing to mail. On the return trip, we stopped at a Wai'anapanapa State Park to enjoy the only black sands beach in Maui. On the road back in the afternoon, we followed a yellow school bus full of kids. It was hard for me believe that children everyday would take the bus ride to Hana for school. The guidebook warned the road can be routinely washed out with heavy rainfall making it impassable. We continue along the road heading back to our hotel and ended the day swimming in the pool under a rainbow, ahh, how we love Maui.

Snorkeling: Destinaton Unknown

Tues 2 Sept, Jason and I started the day by treating ourselves to breakfast at The Gazebo restaurant located at our hotel by the shoreline. The restaurant is known over the island for their macadamia nut pancakes and as a result a line forms every morning soon after it opens. I upped the anty by trying the short stack macadamia nut, pineapple and banana combo with coconut syrup. So delicious, I finished my entire plate. After a bit of relaxing, Jason and I were off to our afternoon snorkeling outing. We drove 30 minutes to the marina and boarded the catamaran with out snorkeling gear. We were off to Coral Gardens. (There were 8 feet waves at Molokini Carter.) Once we arrived we jumped in the 15-20 deep calm clear water to see an amazing and serene world below. Jason and I snapped photos with our disposable underwater film cameras. It was by far the best snorkeling I have never done. After our alotted time was up, we hopped back on the boat. Other experienced snorkelers commented that this area was as good if not better then Molokini Carter, which is the known as the Mercedes of snorkeling outings. After returning to shore, Jason had his hopes up for a round of put-put, but alas the putting green was closed for the day. Tomorrow, we drive the scenic road to Hana.

Happy birthday or Hau`oli la hanau!

Happy birthday, or in Hawaiian, Hau`oli la hanau, to Gene & Steph!

Just another day in paradise

Yesterday (Mon 1 Sept) Jason and I started the day with a morning snorkel at Napali Bay a short walk from our place. After a quick shower, we jumped in the car and headed to Ioa Valley State Park, admission free. Ioa Valley is located in the rain forest mountains, near Wailuku. It is Maui's highest and wettest point. According to the guidebook, Ioa is named for Maui's beautiful daughter. The Iao Needle, a rock pinnacle that rises over 2000 feet, is said to be Ioa's secret lover captured by Maui and turned into stone. It was an impressive sight. In the stream and swimming holes below many locales were swimming. Jason and I avoided taking a dip due to the possible threat of leptospirosis. After snapping our photos we continued on to Waliea in South Maui to check out the ritzy resort scene. We both agreed our condo/hotel digs were far more accommodating. We made a quick stop at Lappert's Hawaii, a local ice cream chain where we spilt a refreshing cup of luau delight and mango sorbert, then returned to Napali in time to end the day with a dip in the pool, while watching the sunset over the ocean.

Voted best beach in the world

Yesterday, Sun 31 Aug, Jason and I woke up to another beautiful and relaxing day in paradise. After a leisurely breakfast of cereal, Kona coffee and fresh pineapple, we head out to Kaanapali beach, a 20 minute drive from our place to snorkel. In 2003, it was voted the best beach in the world. Kaanapali beach is located a mist five story condos and hotels complex, leading Jason and I to first believe we would not be able to enjoy the beach. However, Hawaii does it right; all beaches are free with public access rights. Jason and I drove until we found the beach access sign, parked in the free parking and hit the beach. We snorkeled close to the shoreline until 1 pm, adding new fish sightings to our list. (Jason took a lot pictures with his waterproof disposable camera.) After reapplying sunscreen and relaxing on the beach, we hit the local chain Maui Tacos for a quick lunch, "It's Mexican with Mauitude!". Even with SPF 50, we soon realized that being in the intense Hawaiian sun had done some damage to our exposed backs. We kept a low profile the rest of the day with some shopping at Wal-Mart for aloe gel. We ended the day watching the sunset over the ocean at Hanakaoo Beach Park, where many local families had gathered enjoying the picnic areas and playing tunes on their ukuleles. Tomorrow, Jason and I hope to snorkel again at Napili Bay in the early morning and then take a trip to Iao Valley State Park and Wailea.

Birding in Maui

At the Haleakala ranger station, I purchased this Hawaii Audubon Society bird book. Check out the birding list on the blog to see the birds we identify.


http://www.hawaiiaudubon.com/

Hiking in Haleakala

Today, Sat 30 Aug, Jason and I were transported to another planet. We took a trip to Haleakala, the US National Park, to view the massive and breathtaking volcano crater like basin measuring 7.5 miles wide and 3000 feet in depth. After the 2 hour drive traveling up approximately 9000 feet in elevation through the clouds and hair pin sharp curves we arrived at the summit. We hiked along the Sliding Sands Trail easily about 1 mile down into the crater. A group of juvenile nene birds (Hawaii's state and endangered bird) crossed our path. The views were surreal and beautiful, an endless horizon of rainbow earth tone colors on the crater floor engulfed in intermittent clouds. According to the Lonely Planet guidebook, Mark Twain visited Haleakala and praised it for its healing solitude. Jason could relate. We stopped often to listen to the silence. The hike back up to the summit was, of course, more intense, but we made it with a little huffing and puffing. Tomorrow is slated as a full day of snorkeling, with so many beaches to choose from it will be hard to decide where to go.

A lovely day in Lahaina

Yesterday, Fri 29 Aug, Jason and I woke up early (jet-lag) to the delightful tropical birds' tweets and twerps from the garden below. (We need to pick up a Hawaiian bird book to identify them.) We spent the day at Lahaina, a lovely historic seaport town dating back to 1800's Christian missionary days. We toured the banyan tree park, historic courtyard and jail now used partially as an art gallery. While in the art gallery, we chatted with an employee originally from Burlington, MA. We strolled down the boardwalk and checked out the shops. We stopped in at my favorites stores: ABC stores and Hilo Hattie, the ultimate in tourista paraphernalia where I purchased a cute and comfortable mu-mu dress. We ended the day snorkeling at Napili Bay, a short cliff walk from our hotel. Even though the waters were a bit murky with the afternoon winds kicking up, we saw an amazing number of colorful fish in the rocky coral floor. (Jason and I also need to pick up a coral reef picture book to identify them as well.) Jason and I only had to swim out from shore a few feet to see this. As we were enjoying the fantastic feeling of floating and watching the beautiful fishes below, all of a sudden an enormous sea turtle came my way. I screamed. Jason thought I was in danger and missed the sighting. We snorkeled some more until we agreed it was time to hit the pool. As we were leaving the bay, we were treated to an amazing sight: a family of sea turtles had come in close to shore. They were very happy frolicking in the waves as we watched them. I think they knew they had an audience.

Good Morning Maui

Thur 28 Aug, Jason and I arrived in paradise 10 minutes early. We flew into Kahului Maui OGG Airport on Thursday at 3:00 PM. While leaving the airport, Jason treated me to a beautiful orchid lei. We jumped in our six seater mini SUV upgrade rental car and headed to our hotel/condo located in Napili, about a 30 minute ride from the airport on the West Maui coast. To our surprise, when we checked in, we were upgraded to an oceanview view room. We can see the island Molokai in the distance. After a little rest, we drove to the local supermarket to stock up on some TV dinners, cereal, pineapple and Kona coffee. The pineapple and Kona coffee were the only deals. The supermarket prices are approximately 50% higher the mainland. (A gallon of milk costs $8.99.) I am surprised we don't hear more about the Hawaiians complaining about gas prices, approximately $4.60 a gallon. (This price is down 10 cents according to the local TV news.) We ate our dinners on our laini and fell asleep listening to the ocean waves.

It is official ...

Jason and I have our next destination planned. Maximing the least amount of frequent flyer miles used versus the most miles traveled while incorporating the convenience of flight times and connections, we have selected Maui. We have tickets booked in late August over labor day weekend, using 35K miles each with a connection through DFW. I am excited. Both Jason and I have never been. We have reservations on hold at a hotel/condo that has complementary high speed internet in the rooms. (Jason will most likely need to bring his laptop since his classes will have started for the Fall term.) So, hopefully, I will be able to continue my travel blog from Maui.