Aloha Maui
2012 brought an unusual amount of special anniversaries: our 10th year wedding anniversary, my 20th year anniversary since I arrived in USA, and both of my parents will be celebrating round numbers birthdays. So, since my mom always wanted to go to Hawaii, my dad felt this would be the best year to do so to celebrate together all this big dates. What an amazing gift!
WARNING: this is a mammoth post (2233 words at last count)! Feel free to skip to the pictures.
Even if we only had less than three weeks to plan it, and we were not even sure we could leave due to Matt’s health, my trusted travel agent found us a great package for 5 nights in Maui, at an amazing condo-resort, Honua Kai at North Kaanapali on the West coast.
We packed in a rush the night before, and we left by sunrise with a direct flight to Maui, ironically from Alaskan Airlines. Thanks to our trusted DVD player, Keegan was good during the flight and even we had the chance to enjoy a movie or two. We landed early in the morning (Maui time). We were greeted by the wonderful, warm, and drizzly air of Hawaii. Keegan was excited and a great help, carrying his pirate suitcase and penguin backpack.
We immediately went to rent a car, well, a minivan. For as much as I despise them, it did come handy, with 5 people and lots of bags.
We stopped for a satisfying junk food meal: Keegan’s — and my parents’ — first McDonald’s fare. Of course he loved the nuggets, fries and shake.
Since it was too early to check, but it was also Keegan’s nap time, we had the brilliant idea to drive west passing for the rugged north shore (follow the link for a great article describing the trip). We knew it was twisted and narrow, but we would have never imagined it would become a 1 lane, 2 way of traffic road, over soaring cliffs, without any guard rail to protect you from the abyss.
In fact, as we discovered on our return, most rental companies forbids you from driving that road, and that there have been plenty casualties there. Well, nobody warned us, and the maps were not very useful. I did wonder why no sites or guide mentioned that route.
So, we started the grueling, and nerve wracking 2.5 hour drive. Matt was nothing short than AMAZING. Despite the less than 5 hours of sleep, and the long flight, he maneuvered that mammoth like a pro. This also meant he had to back up, TWICE, on a curvy, almost dirt road with no protection. I stared straight into the abyss, and it was not fun.
On the plus side, half of the road was two lanes, and Keegan slept the whole time.
The view was indeed incredible, and in retrospect, I am glad we got to see it. We only took one photo, as we did not dare stopping since we did not want to wake Keegan up.
So I grabbed some images from the aforementioned article, showing some of the views we passed on the way.
Seabird Sanctuary
Kahakuloa Head (see map)
Nakalele Blow Hole: finally a two lanes road! (see map)
Honolua Bay (see map)
click on the map to see it full size
The funny thing is that we ruled out driving the Hana road to kill time because we thought we would have been too tired for it…and then we found ourselves on a much harder road.
We finally made it to the Condos, by 2pm, just as Keegan was waking up. We had to wait almost an hour, but fortunately we could sit in the beautiful outdoor lobby, and watch at the ocean or explore the resort-like grounds. We were all tired and cranky, especially, ironically, Keegan, who was the only one who got a two hour nap, and it was not easy to entertain him.
Finally, we were allowed into the apartment and all I can say is WOW!!! It was three bedroom three baths, but this does not even start describing it. Two of the bedrooms were master bedroom, with a huge tub+ shower bath, and all rooms had king size beds. The kitchen /living room/dining room was immense. There was even a washer and drier. The whole place must have been a 1,000 sq. Incredible!
the kitchen: can I have one like this at home? Please?
the non-master bedroom (or Keegan’s room)
The balcony was overlooking the courtyard and had a full ocean view. In fact, the main image on the resort’s site could have been taken from our room.
We rested a little, then we headed to the beach, which was steps from the hotel. We learned that this particular beach is actually a wonderful snorkeling spot: how convenient is that? It was drizzling, so we saw the first of many beautiful rainbows. (even some full double rainbows, man)
Finally Keegan was in a good mood, so he jumped in the water and played. He even checked out the pools. After a great dinner at the Hotel restaurant and grill, we all crashed out very early: there are three hours difference, after all. Of course, sleeping was a challenge for Keegan, our “born traveler”. He acted out and did not want to go to bed. Then he proceeded waking up at 3.30am (Maui time), and after an hour of attempts we gave in, and let him get up. We set him up with the DVD player and went back to sleep for another couple of hours.
When my mom woke up, Matt and I left and went grocery shopping and rented snorkel gear. We were finally ready for 5 days of fun at the beach! So we all headed out to the ocean. It was sunny and beautiful. We did some snorkeling: it is amazing how close the reef is!. Even Keegan tried his gear on.
Not that he would really try to actually snorkel, mind you, but hey, baby steps…It was amazing: I missed Hawaii. After the beach, we explored one of three swimming pools; Keegan’s favorite one was the largest one that featured 2 small grottoes with waterfall, and most importantly a water slide.
He was excited to be barely high enough to be able to use it. Even I tried and I have to say it was pretty fun.
on the lanai (balcony)
After lunch we all crashed, even Keegan (even if with some difficulties). He woke up cranky, and after a few minutes, he simply retreated to our bedroom and crashed out again. So cute.
We planned some fun activities for the next few days and reserved our spot for a zip-line tour. So exciting. I was surprised Matt wanted to do it, since he does not like heights as much, but he was excited too.
We went to the beach late, played and waited to watch an amazing sunset.
We had a mellow evening, and enjoyed the fresh night air from our lanai (balcony).
The night went better, and Keegan woke up at 6. We again set up the DVD player and we got a couple more hours of sleep. After a quick trip to the beach, we headed to Lahaina. It is a nice, tourist town (nothing to do with the rowdy Lahaina bar in Pacific Beach). Right in the middle of the town, there is Banyan Tree Park, named after the famous, huge tree.
Keegan’s picture of us
After a quick tour of the court house, we headed to the docks. We scheduled an hour on the Reefdancer Boat, a glass bottom boat that would take us to the reef.
On the way, we got to admire the coastal view.
Once we got to the reef, we could watch the fish, and divers were swimming by the windows showing different specimens: our favorite one was the octopus.
Matt and I even spotter a sting ray floating by. After the boat ride, we were starved and stopped by the closest restaurant, where Keegan had his fill on fries and chicken nuggets.
After a well deserved rest, Matt and I went off on our own to do some snorkeling at Black Rock. In retrospect we should have just walked from our hotel…when we finally made it, it was raining, but sunny, so we still got into the water. This weather actually gave us a wonderful rainbow, and it was great to come up to the surface and watch it arched over the mountains. We saw amazing fish, and a sea turtle.
That night, Matt and I had a date night, and we went for a romantic dinner in the same resort we stayed last time we were in Maui, before Keegan was conceived.
The next day was a beautiful sunny day, with no trace of rain. So we went to the beach first for some play in the sand.
Matt and I left around lunch time and went to our zip-line adventure. We chose the canyon zip-line, since it was the closest one and offered nice views of the coast. It had 8 different zip-lines.
getting ready for the first zip-line
ready, set, go
now is Matt’s turn
a couple of the zip-lines
After a few of the lines, we stopped to have lunch at a beautiful vista, where we could admire a 360 panorama.
It was really a fun adventure, and really not scary at all. I would definitely do it again next time I am in Hawaii.
When we got back, Keegan was still sleeping. When he got up, we went to do some shopping with my parents and had dinner at the famous Hula Grill. The food was great and they even had hula show.
we had to buy at least one flower lay
a romantic shot…maybe not romantic but a cute one.
The next day, the last full day, it was a little cloudy, but this did not stopped us or Keegan. He brought some of his favorite toys with him, and he lined them all up ready to play.
Soon, another rainbow appeared and with it the sun.
We spent most if the day in the water. We started at the beach, and did some snorkeling right there. It was a great day: we saw lots of different fish, and turtles. Amazing. Then moved to the pools and tried a new one as well as one of the hot tubs.
After lunch, Matt and I went for another snorkeling adventure, at Holowalu, on Highway 30, Mile 14. The view was amazing: lots, and lots of fish, and I followed and swam with a couple of turtles. It felt like being inside a movie. The reef was really close to the surface, which made for great snorkeling, but that also meant we got stuck in a few inches of water. It was a little scary, especially because we got separated, but we were able to come back on shore. What a great spot for our last snorkeling adventure.
When we got back to the condo, there was still time to play on the beach with Keegan and my parents, and of course to take some postcard-like pictures.
Matt and Keegan did some amazing building
What a magical place: we will miss Maui.
We spent the evening packing, but we had more fun before we had to catch our flight. The next morning, we left around 9 and we took the easy road toward the airport. As always Keegan was full of energy and ready to go.
We stopped for pictures at a viewpoint on the way to Maalaea Bay.
Our destination was Maui Ocean Center. What a great aquarium! It was nice to get to see all the fish we looked at while snorkeling up close (and not foggy or blurry). I even got to take a picture of my favorite fish. This fish is very elusive, so it is convenient to get it in a tank.
We also saw a pretty cool octopus that was moving graciously around. fascinating.
We saw also plenty of other ref dwellers, but no Dori or Nemo: there are indigenous of Hawaii.
What? no Nemo or Dori? Well, at least they have Scar.
Keegan listened to an informative talk about sharks and we watched turtle feedings.
Another great feature of the aquarium was the tunnel tank: a tunnel is dug inside a huge tank containing all sort of sharks, rays and other fish. Contrary to the one at Seaworld, you can actually sit and watch them slowly swim by all around you. Magical.
Unfortunately, it was soon time to go. Even in Maui the airport experience is not a pleasant one. The computers were down, so it took even longer than usual, but we finally got on board. The flight went well. Keegan watched 3 whole movies…we were too exhausted to argue.
We arrived in San Diego in the evening, and I have to say that, at least on the way back, Keegan did not suffer the jet lag too much.
So it has been an incredible trip, and getting back to our normal life was not easy. But I know that the wonderful memories of Maui will accompany us for many months to come. We are deeply grateful to nonni for this great present and we did treasure every moment. We really needed this vacation after the stressful months we had.
MAHALO!
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