Thursday, September 3, 2015
Remind me next time not to book an early flight! At the time it seemed like a good idea, but we didn't go to sleep until after midnight and now I've barely had breakfast and already I'm struggling to keep my eyes open. Yawn!
Don't worry though, I was with it enough to make sure no lilikoi mochi ice cream was left behind! Om nom nom yummy!
Sunrise over Princeville.
Everything runs smoothly when we turn in the car with an extra 560 miles on it; not a word about Rex -- because that's what we nicknamed it -- being dirty, sandy and streaked with doggy drool. Phew, that's always a relief!
We get to the gate with plenty of time to spare, so I break out my travel pillow and ... I can't sleep! Whyyyyyyy?!
Sigh. Plane is delayed by 15 minutes.
Everything runs smoothly when we turn in the car with an extra 560 miles on it; not a word about Rex -- because that's what we nicknamed it -- being dirty, sandy and streaked with doggy drool. Phew, that's always a relief!
We get to the gate with plenty of time to spare, so I break out my travel pillow and ... I can't sleep! Whyyyyyyy?!
Sigh. Plane is delayed by 15 minutes.
If you have not had the pleasure of flying Hawaiian, let me tell you about their amazing POG juice: it is ... well, amazing!
When we reach cruising altitude, the pilot announces that beverage service will be postponed because of turbulence up ahead. Hey, I understand, that's cool ... but it's coming right? The flight is smooth as butter, surely it won't be long now.
Wrong. He comes back on to say it's completely suspended for the duration of the flight.You're probably thinking we must have had a wild ride, but nope ... don't know that I would've even called those minor bumps turbulence myself, but of course, safety comes first. Although, maybe next time POG juice first, safety second? Just a thought.
Anyway, over to the Budget rental office we go, where a throng of people is hanging out outside. A lady is taking names before allowing more people inside. Uh oh. This can't be good. And sure enough, it is the slowest rental car pick-up ever.
Nervous that our suitcases won't fit we decide to ask for an upgrade to the next size up; a good thing, because even so it barely fits! But this is where we messed up a little; they only allowed one person to go inside per party, so Sandy had to make a split second decision and we grossly overpaid for the upgrade.
Tip: check rates online before upgrading at the counter!
When we reach cruising altitude, the pilot announces that beverage service will be postponed because of turbulence up ahead. Hey, I understand, that's cool ... but it's coming right? The flight is smooth as butter, surely it won't be long now.
Wrong. He comes back on to say it's completely suspended for the duration of the flight.You're probably thinking we must have had a wild ride, but nope ... don't know that I would've even called those minor bumps turbulence myself, but of course, safety comes first. Although, maybe next time POG juice first, safety second? Just a thought.
Anyway, over to the Budget rental office we go, where a throng of people is hanging out outside. A lady is taking names before allowing more people inside. Uh oh. This can't be good. And sure enough, it is the slowest rental car pick-up ever.
Nervous that our suitcases won't fit we decide to ask for an upgrade to the next size up; a good thing, because even so it barely fits! But this is where we messed up a little; they only allowed one person to go inside per party, so Sandy had to make a split second decision and we grossly overpaid for the upgrade.
Tip: check rates online before upgrading at the counter!
Look at our sporty little thing!
After arguing with the rubber lining the trunk (it keeps coming undone), we finally pull away from the rental agency and my body automatically relaxes ... now we are ready to start enjoying Maui!
But what's with all the clouds? The Maui of my dreams is all sunshine, all the time, yet now it is so gloomy it looks more like the UK. There's even the occasional sprinkle, and by the look of things we're in for a lot more. The ocean too is in a bit of a turmoil; white caps greet us, wherever the ocean comes into view and my heart sinks ... will we be able to snorkel at all?
Hungry we swing by Leoda's for lunch.
Sandy gets a ham and cheese, and I order a club sandwich. They are ok, but not as good as we remembered. When Tjitske goes up to order her veggie burger without the bun, they mistake her name for Jessica and we teasingly called her Jessica many times after that haha.
It takes great effort to keep my eyes open while we locate the Aston Paki Maui, an oceanfront condo resort in Kaanapali.
It takes great effort to keep my eyes open while we locate the Aston Paki Maui, an oceanfront condo resort in Kaanapali.
We're a bit north of our preferred location near Black Rock, but the view from our top floor unit makes up for a lot.
Lovely view from the lanai
Unfortunately, though pretty, it's not really a swimming beach.
Lovely view from the lanai
Unfortunately, though pretty, it's not really a swimming beach.
We walk around exploring the grounds for a while and come across this wonderful old tree with roots like a gnarly tangled web rising from the sand.
Between being tired and thirsty, I have a raging headache and we walk to the nearby Farmer's Market Maui to buy some water, but better yet they sell freshly squeezed passion fruit juice!! Who knew that even existed? I can't even put into words how much I love it. It is that good!
When we get back to our condo, I drape myself across the sofa like a limp rag. Lack of sleep is catching up with me in a bad way. Not wanting to waste the afternoon I stagger to my feet and we head off in search of public parking near the Sheraton ... but where did it go? Please, if anyone knows, let me know for next time!
We end up parking at the Fairway Shops and have to weave our way through the Maui Eldorado complex and past the golf course, but it works.
Love the grounds at the Sheraton!
I have dreamed for months of snorkeling at Black Rock with my turtle friends, but the second I hit my towel I'm out. Sandy's poking wakes me up after half an hour, but I only wake up long enough to flip onto my other side.
Love the grounds at the Sheraton!
I have dreamed for months of snorkeling at Black Rock with my turtle friends, but the second I hit my towel I'm out. Sandy's poking wakes me up after half an hour, but I only wake up long enough to flip onto my other side.
When I get up for real I cannot believe the
waves! Serious, serious shore break going on here. We hear several people talk
about getting knocked down and scraped up by the big waves.
I'm bummed I didn't capture any wave action in my picture.
I'm bummed I didn't capture any wave action in my picture.
Even though the water is obviously churned up close to shore, it looks better past the breaking
waves and I decide to give it a shot.
I feel like a double Dutch jump rope champion, bouncing on the balls of my feet as I survey the waves rolling in to avoid getting slammed. A one ... and a two ... and ... GO!!!
Well, that was fun! Except, the snorkeling is much like being in a blizzard; every once in a while you can make things out, only to have them disappear again into a cloud of sand. Conditions improve closer to the rock, but I'm not looking to get too close with these waves. I try heading out further instead, but even then visibility remains marginal.
I feel like a double Dutch jump rope champion, bouncing on the balls of my feet as I survey the waves rolling in to avoid getting slammed. A one ... and a two ... and ... GO!!!
Well, that was fun! Except, the snorkeling is much like being in a blizzard; every once in a while you can make things out, only to have them disappear again into a cloud of sand. Conditions improve closer to the rock, but I'm not looking to get too close with these waves. I try heading out further instead, but even then visibility remains marginal.
Avoiding the waves on the way back in will be trickier, so I swim parallel to shore to where the waves are less steep to allow for an easy exit and it works. The snorkeling may have been a bust, but I sure had fun going in and out of the water!
The sun is trying to peek out from behind the clouds as we are getting ready to leave and it provides just enough back lighting to silhouette the people jumping from the rock!
The sun is trying to peek out from behind the clouds as we are getting ready to leave and it provides just enough back lighting to silhouette the people jumping from the rock!
Pretty flowers during the walk to the car
Not wanting to stay up late, we stop in Lahaina for dinner at Pad Thai, a quirky restaurant at the back of the Wharf complex.
There are even table-side tulips for the Dutch girls! A little bit odd given that we are at a Thai restaurant, but I guess you can't go wrong with tulips?
Tjitske doesn't know what to do with herself; the menu is packed with things for her to choose from! Now that's something that doesn't usually happen haha. She ends up with a green curry pineapple tofu that packs enough heat to send her scrambling for tissues. Still a success!
There are even table-side tulips for the Dutch girls! A little bit odd given that we are at a Thai restaurant, but I guess you can't go wrong with tulips?
Tjitske doesn't know what to do with herself; the menu is packed with things for her to choose from! Now that's something that doesn't usually happen haha. She ends up with a green curry pineapple tofu that packs enough heat to send her scrambling for tissues. Still a success!
She also shared a spring roll appetizer with Sandy and they wasted no time cleaning the plate. My terriyaki chicken is alright, but they've really changed it from last time. I did really like the fried rice though and Sandy still loves her shrimp pad thai.
Having skipped their appetizer I simply
MUST have dessert and we walk a couple of blocks to Ululani's only to find out they are
out of mochi!!!
Sigh. So sad.
Okay, fine, I'll suffer my way through a melona only, shave ice with a scoop of vanilla at the bottom. I did mention my life is pretty rough, I think? Yum, yum, yum! Tjitske wants to see what the fuss is all about and orders herself a passion fruit, guava and something else mix that she thinks is pretty good.
Sigh. So sad.
Okay, fine, I'll suffer my way through a melona only, shave ice with a scoop of vanilla at the bottom. I did mention my life is pretty rough, I think? Yum, yum, yum! Tjitske wants to see what the fuss is all about and orders herself a passion fruit, guava and something else mix that she thinks is pretty good.
People who know me, know I can be a bit of klutz and sure enough ... a taxi stops to let us cross the street and just as I turn to wave in thanks, I take an awkward step off the curb, flinging my
now mostly liquid shave ice down the front of my dress, while simultaneously managing to snort it up my nose. I don't even know how I did that!?
When we stop laughing long enough for me to blow my nose I discover my boogers are now a fluorescent green! Hahaha.
When we stop laughing long enough for me to blow my nose I discover my boogers are now a fluorescent green! Hahaha.
We briefly stroll past the art galleries, but we are too tired to really appreciate everything. We will definitely have to
come back later. It's one of our favorite things to do in Maui!
There is a sign about cruises outside of the Pacific Whale Foundation store and we step inside to find out more. I don't think the whales are even here this time of year? But we're so tired we forget all about it as soon as we step inside and we end up just browsing the racks. A good thing, 'cause Sandy discovers a cute honu shirt on the clearance rack!
By the time we get home and I finish updating the blog, it's barely past 10pm and I'm pooped! Fingers crossed I will be able sleep through the night, instead of my poor scraped up knees waking me up as they have the last few nights.
♥
Breakfast: stuff from grocery store
Lunch: Leoda's Kitchen and Pie Shop
Dinner: Pad Thai
Hotel: Aston Paki Maui unit 410
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