Maui December 2024

The usual last day of getting up and checking in for tomorrow's flight, coffee and bagel on the deck and slowly watching everything come to life.  The free range chickens were up early as the morning doves cooing loud and proud.  You can't get by a day without a rooster crowing somewhere.  Kind of the background noise.  This morning I noticed the road noise from the one and only highway east of us as the building noise for the new structure was pretty quiet.  Only downside so far I've noticed. Another day by the pool, then heading to Lahaina to meet with Jeff Parks and his wife/daughter who are here for his annual celebration of his mom's life.  Dinner with them and then back to the room to pack and prepare for the trek home tomorrow.  We ate at the Hulu Grill in Kalipali on the beach.  Lot so shops and more typical resort layout. Jeff, Cambria and Madison Parks with baby bump for #2 Ice Cream on Macadamia Cookie Crust The flight home was all on t...

Only two days left for this trip and today is all about Mama's Fish House.  The morning was gym and hanging out at the pool.   Then off too walk the small town of Paia before late lunch/early dinner at Mommas Fish House.  The original Paia Fish Market is located on one of the street corners (yesterday lunch in Kihei. After checking in they sat us at a window seat with a full view of the ocean, which with the windows had large surf.  The meal was still as good as last visit and the site for the restaurant is so awesome. Table View!! Mai Tai (Janie) - Rum Lime Cocktail (Jeff) Beef in Grilled Papaya bowl Oho Fish Ahi Tuna Chocolate Caramel on Macadamia-Chocolate Crust After our meal, we strolled out to the beach area to watch surfers, people and the view.  Hanging out on the beach was a large green sea turtle.  They bask on the beach to help regulate the body temperature according to the sign.  Many are tagged with a barcode, this one was not. Gettin...

Thursday finally slept till 7 a.m. versus awakening around 3 or 4.  Time zone synch begins.  The morning was a little more overcast around the west and east mountains.  We had planned to drive up to Haleakea Volcano to hike, however, the weather is for 40s clouds and afternoon rain.  Opted for next trip as the forecast does not improve and we need to bring proper gear (assumes we come back). Headed out to one of our favorite restaurants Paia Fish Market for a late lunch.  They were very busy, so we shared a table with a young couple from Miami, via NYC, via London from Ukraine.  Interesting how we all love snow skiing and their take on European slopes being better and less expensive.  They recommended Italy Dolomite mountains for skiing experience.  Talked briefly about them going back and how they lived in Western Ukraine and those don't experience the war so relatively safe.  Sirens go off country wide, but their relatives feel safe.  ...

The day started with Jeff going to gym and Janie to get her nails done.  A slow pace plan for another sunny day with low 80's forecast. We've been having bagels and cream cheese in the room and today was the same. A beach walk prior to noon, then the day at the pool (happy hour 12-2) where Pina Coladas were in order.  It has been a long time since we just sat, swam and hung out.  A good overall day finished as the sun sets. Outrigger Canoes After the pool time and showers, grabbed Mexican food down the street and retired for the day.   Around 8:30 a couple in the room above us got going with the women screaming (foreign language) until security came around 9:45.  Not pleasant and fascinating how a person and issue can be so consuming with no awareness of surroundings.

 Janie pushed for the drive to Hana as Jeff had not done before.  7:00 a.m. target departure was almost made with a stop to grab some cash thought we would need for vendors.  The drive if never taken is from the Hilton Grand to Hana the town about 58 miles, which we went past for another 10+.  The road entails 26+ miles of very curvy roads (think switch backs, max 10-15 miles an hour) with in and out of bright sun to full shade while navigating cars in front and oncoming traffic.  Not too mention the drop off in many places is straight down literally.  600+ curves times 2 makes for a workout.  Not something you'd want to do if scared of driving or get car sick. Rare straight away - actually down hill We decided to push all the way there with no stops to beat all traffic and once we got to Hanna followed the road around the east side of the island, which was closed to through traffic 13 miles south.  About mile marker 41 we found the church where L...

 Like most trips there is a lot that goes into departure.  This trip was not much different with watching the grandkids Friday and all Saturday morning, then taking Breck to the Kennel, watching ISU beat KSU with Mom (now in KC) and packing.  The departure was pretty much on time and check in a breeze for a holiday travel time.  The flight to Vegas as usual and of course the airport (now Harry Reid Airport) was the same.  Nathans hotdogs for lunch and board the flight to Maui (5.5 hours). Upon arrival gather bags and trolley to car rental with no major issues.  Travel to stores, then to check in and grab dinner at a food truck.  Jeff was pretty grumpy that evening due to lack of sleep, aches from sitting on a plane and just wanting to be done.  Poor Janie has to put up with it and like a trooper rebounded. Monday was a trip down to Wailea to see the Makena Beach where Jeff tore his rib cage showing off to the boys in 2020.  Before the beach a...