Maui Adventures

 On our trip to Maui we had two days off the beach.  Our first was a snorkel cruise on the Trilogy V.  I was hoping to run into Kai (Sam's friend) but he was on a different Trilogy cruise.  We have snorkeled but not ever taken a boat out to snorkel.  I took my trusty Rugby Meclizine HCl 12.5 mg USP Antiemetic Caplets to prevent getting seasick.  I was fine.  I am a bit paranoid about boating.  I generally go on boats that are tied up at the marina, visit with friends and enjoy a cocktail and then get off the boat prior to departure.  When I signed us up for the snorkel cruise I was thinking about the fish I'd see, the fun we'd have and wasn't really thinking about the boating(usually fraught with danger) I'd be doing.  Turns out, I did better than some others in our party.  The seas were rough, my friend.

 It was a wonderful day.  I saw coral gardens and sea life that was so beautiful, I was in awe.  We don't have an underwater camera and I did regret that because it would have been fun to identify the fish we saw under the sea.  The captain and his crew were fun and took good care of us.  They fed us fresh fruit and cinnamon rolls in the morning and a delicious lunch with salad, rolls, chicken, rice and ice cream sundaes.

I kind of have a hankering to watch the Little Mermaid again.  Or Finding Nemo.

 The next day that we spent off the beach was the Road to Hana.  I took my trusty Rugby Meclizine HCl 12.5 mg USP Antiemetic Caplets to prevent getting carsick.  I was fine.  The scenery was beautiful.  So many people had told us that we HAD to take the road to Hana because it was so gorgeous, and we'd see amazing things.  Blahblahblah...  I'll admit I didn't really want to go since I get motion sickness and it meant missing a day on the beach.  But if nothing else I'm a good sport and I jumped in the car with a fairly good attitude.  All those years of preaching to my guys about peer pressure and I totally caved and went on the Road to Hana.

 We stopped at Ho'okipa lookout to watch the surfers and 

 in Paia for coffee.  Everyone was having fun.  At this point it was all good.  

And then we headed up the road.

Beautiful scenery, for sure.

 We saw waterfalls, lush forests and many other tourists.

I gave up the front seat because I felt pretty good.  Someone, who shall remain nameless, started to feel pretty rotten.  His skin tone matched his t-shirt and he was practicing his Lamaze breathing but we drove on BECAUSE everyone that's been to Maui told us we HAD to go on the Road to Hana.

 More water rushing through the forests and many more tourists.  Everyone in the car starting to feel sick.

WHY?  Because we fell for the peer pressure and HAD to take the RoadToHeck!

 Let's get off this crazy train and go to beach?  Hello!  Yes please, let's turn around, get off this road, get off   this mountain and get back to the beach where we belong.  On our way home we slowed down to see the rainbow trees, deferred getting out the car and shot a picture from the car.  Why waste anymore time in the car when we can be on the beach where everyone is happy, the sunshine can reach us and no one feels like they might have to throw up?

Yes, it's pretty, yes, it's a mountain, yes, there are waterfalls, yes, the road is curvy and yes, I can get all that at home.  If you like being tortured take the Road to HanaHeck while in Maui.

 As for me and my toes, we will stay on the beach.  Aloha.

 This is not a paid ad for my trusty Rugby Meclizine HCl 12.5 mg USP Antiemetic Caplets to prevent getting motion sick.  I don't get paid to write this blog and have no sponsors.  BUT I don't leave the house without my trusty Rugby Meclizine HCl 12.5 mg USP Antiemetic Caplets to prevent getting air sick, motion sick or sea sick.  They are sold over the counter and cost about 4 buck.  Worth. Every. Cent.  Mahalo.

Tour of Beaches

Mark, Karen, Hubby and myself agree on where we want to spend our time while in Hawaii. 

It's on the beach for  us!

We started our tour of beaches in the Lahaina Kaanapali area and went from there to DT Fleming, Kapalua beach, Kamole I, II, III, Big Beach, Napili, Waliea and back to Big Beach.  Some we stayed for mere minutes and some we stayed for long days.

The sand was so pretty at Big Beach.

 We found Merriman's after a day on the beach for pupus and mai tais.  We walked right up from the beach and had such a great time on their deck.

From morning to sunset we were on the beach.  Swimming, snorkeling, reading, chatting, making friends with  local dogs, enjoying food truck fare, walking, beach combing for shells.  It's the best!

We spent two days away from the beach, I'll share those days next on the blog.

Kihei, Maui

After two nights in Lahaina Mark and Karen and Hubby and I moved to Kihei where we would be staying for nine nights.  Our rooms were pretty and close to the pool area.

 We don't spend much time at the pool, maybe an hour after we get home from our day on the beach.  It was a pretty pool area with waterfalls and gardens.

 We had kitchens in Kihei.  

 Since we had kitchens in our rooms Hubby became our happy hour bartender.

 The clouds were temporary.  There are trade winds in Kihei so the weather blows over and back out quite quickly.

 There was pretty landscaping where we stayed.

 I spotted a tiny pineapple growing by the pool area.

The sunsets were beautiful in Kihei.

 Just because we had kitchens it didn't mean that we cooked.  We had breakfast in our rooms, happy hour snacks on the lanai and then we went out for dinner in the evening.  We found some good restaurants in Kihei, including Cafe O'Lei, Sorentos, Joe's Grill, Tommy Bahama, and Ami Ami.

Next up... the beaches of Maui tour.

Maui 2014

Oh Hawaii, I love you.  I love the moment when I walk off the plane and feel the sunshine and smell that wonderful scent of the islands.  It's a mix of salt water, tropical blooms, suntan lotion and good food.  I can't really describe it but I do wish I could bottle it and bring it home.  We flew Hawaiian Airline so we felt as though our trip began early.

We stayed on Maui this trip so our first stop was to pick up our rental car, and then on to the Royal Lahaina Resort (be sure to click on the link for a peek and some Hawaiian sounds) for a two night stay in the Lahaina Kaanapali area.

 We settled in with a beach side mai tai, watching whales and a sunset.

Our second night we went into Lahaina to have dinner at Kimo's Restaurant.  The evening was wonderful except for the trip there on the bus.  Trouble in paradise, up close, too close for comfort and it was unsettling.  We ended up going straight to Kimo's instead of walking around Lahaina.  Once we were seated at the best table in the place we forgot our troublesome journey to Lahaina.  Kinda.

 Kimo's mai tai was refreshing, their sword fish was delicious and their Hula Pie was yummy.  They make the original Hula Pie and they still pretty much own it.

 The Royal Lahaina Resort is very pretty.  A beach, some pools, a pretty wedding spot, shuffle board for the old guys.  It was good.  Their restaurants were very good.  Our rooms were in the Garden Cottages, they were okay but I think I would prefer the tower next time.  The cottages are up next for a make over.

 After checking out of the resort we drove to t.c. fleming beach in front of the Ritz Carlton property.  We scored some rock star parking and enjoyed their gorgeous beach for the day.

Next stop is Kihei.