Road to Hana

Thursday we packed up to our beautiful little condo and made our way to Hana for the rest of the trip. Of course we had to stop at a local little restaurant. It was definitely Ma and Pop. The grungy tables and chairs looked like they were the ones from Costco. They served Philipino, Hawaiian and American entrees. There was a hostess and a cook and I am pretty sure they were the owners. We were a little unsure of the edibility of the food before it came but no one got sick so it must have been okay. I ordered banana pancakes and it was Bisquick pancakes with slices of banana cooked into them. They were actually quite good but it would have been better to have the bananas diced into smaller chunks.

After breakfast we squished into the Grand Prix. We all had to think light thoughts to shut the door. We knew we couldn't take the long drive to Hana this way, plus it looked like we were advertising to steal our stuff, so we went and upgraded the car to a trailblazer. We could finally exhale and we had the bonus of a sunroof for the gorgeous drive.

But before we could get to the actual drive we had to make one stop for groceries. Brian has never seen my dad so up tight and uncomfortable. We chose the whole foods, organic, homeopathic quack grocery store. The customers were not the usual flare that we see and there was not one brand we recognized. The bakery's brownies and cookies were vegan, organic and whole wheat. Let's just say my dad was ready to get out of there as quickly as possible. I don't think the store was his only reason to get moving. I think he really wanted to get to the drive and we were moving a little slow.

Finally the drive. It was so beautiful and tropical. We many waterfalls. One was a 30 minute hike and the rest could all be seen from the road. It was so beautiful and because of this it is too difficult for my weak writing to describe it. So I will have to put pictures of the drive on my photo section. The picture to the right is called 3 Bears Falls.

Here I am swinging on one of the giant vines during our hike to a waterfall.

So we thought this drive was amazing. Our drive to our lodgings and the landscape around the house was just as splendid. If it had rained we would have been very grateful for a 4 wheel drive vehicle. The house and gardens were so peaceful that we didn't want to leave the house on Friday. All we wanted to do was sit on the lanai and relax. Hana was the most laid back and slow paced place on the whole island. It was very low key. There were only 2 restaurants and one eatery and on some nights during the week only one was open. On the weekends both restaurants were open.

The gardens around the house.

The view from the back lanai.

Snorkeling and the Crash

Wednesday was another alarm clock day. Who planned this? That day we had a snorkeling trip booked to Molokini. We had to be at the docks even earlier than the helicopter ride. We rode out on a catamaran and it was enjoyable to be on a boat again. The snorkeling was good, but I have decided I hate snorkeling. I have never really enjoyed it, but I am now at the point where I never need to go again. I like aquariums much better. On the way back in we were able to do some whale watching. These creatures were so amazing to watch. By law you can get any closer than 100 yards to the whales, but if they swim up to you then it is okay. So you find a group to follow and stop within that distances and if your crew is good they will stop in the swim path and the whales get up close. This particular trip we came across a group of 7 whales. The ship crew said that is was probably all males and one female and they were showing off for her. Now this crew was a nice but possibly a BSing type of crew, but it did sound logical.

After our excursion we went scouting out some more of the coast. This time we went to Big Beach to hang out. The waves here were crashing close to shore and were quite large. You don't realize how powerful they are until one hits you. Brian and I were out floating on the boogie boards when we decided to go in. Brian caught an okay wave to ride in on, but these were not the best boogie boarding waves (I learned this after). I wasn't planning on trying it because the waves were so large, but I felt a good wave coming and I was climbing higher and higher. It was fun so I tried it but I had no fins and was too slow. Brian turned around in time to see me on top of at least a five foot wave. He laughs because I had the biggest grin on my face. Remember this was fun. Well, it didn't last. The wave crashed in shallow water smashing me and boogie board into the sand and another huge waved followed right behind and crashed right on me and snapped me in half. I could barely drag myself out and was in tremendous pain. Luckily I was not seriously injured and will try again but on smaller waves. I had so much sand in my hair and suit. Even after rinsing at the beach I went home and found handfuls of sand in my suit and it took 3 shampooings to get the sand out of my hair and sand was still coming out of my the following days.

This was the day we also ran into the paparazzi at one of the beaches that a nice hotel sits on. We thought it was an awful thing to destroy someones privacy, so Brian tried to talk to them to let them know someone was watching (they were hiding in rocks). They were not nice at all and so my dad and Brian thought we would show them what it was like to have their picture taken. They hated that even more.

More Maui

Tuesday morning of our trip was an early day. We had a helicopter tour scheduled and we had to be at the airport by 7:30 AM. Using an alarm clock on vacation is not always the favorite way to go, but the helicopter was fun. We saw the huge pineapple fields on Maui and then flew over to Moloka'i. There we saw many waterfalls on this remote island. There are not many people that live on that island. It was fun to see the whales and turtles from the air. Humpback whales' fins glow a neon blue underneath the water.

After the helicopter we went to see the first LDS church on the island. My Grandpa Lee and Grandma Lue served a mission on Maui and she suggested that if we have time to go see this church. What amazed me the most was she still remembered quite remarkably where it was. She served her mission over 20 years ago. I can't even recall where some stores are here in Phoenix. What was amazing was that the first baptism and the first branch in Hawaii was organized in 1851 by George Q Cannon. That was only 4 years after the saints arrived in the Salt Lake Valley.

After the church we did some more sight seeing. We stopped at one beach to judge if it was one we wanted to stay at when we accidentally locked the keys in the car. Unfortunately all of our swimsuits and sunscreen were locked in the car too. So we sat and watched the huge waves come rolling in. Brian and I took a walk and got an eyeful. 3 or 4 women from several different parties were going topless. They really didn't care. It seem like they were doing it as a dare or for attention and most had their man with them so they weren't trying to pick up on anyone.

AHHH!

Why at certain times does it seem that everything is against you and the activities you want to accomplish?

This week our old computer finally gave out. Luckily back in November Brian had purchased a used one from his work. It is supposed to be faster and have more storage. He just never got around to setting it up until I had to do it when my computer crashed. Luckily we didn't lose any of our information from the old computer except my Quicken 2007 program. I don't know how I got it. I don't have the download CD or an email confirming a purchase, but it looks like I registered it so hopefully intuit will be able to help me out there.

The gym has been off limits because the girls brought a cold home from there last week.

The laundry is still sitting unfolded from Tuesday because I have been trying to finish my book, East of Eden) for book club tonight. It has not been a real quick read. I think I will decide what I think about it after I discuss it. It is not the cleanest(to the rest of the world and some it is comparably clean) nor happiest read. In fact I am surprised when I hear that some people read it in high school because it has sexual topics and touches on whorehouses quite a bit. I will follow up when I can maybe grasp a better understanding.

What a life

Some of you may be wondering what we have been up to besides Maui and laundry. Well we have gone to the park where I have had to push the girls for about 30 minutes straight. We have taken walks and Macy has been riding her bike daily like an addict. Basically we have been relishing the beautiful weather before the oven turns on. Right now it is pre-heating.

Friday night Brian and I went to see Singin in the Rain at the local Hale Theater. The actors and ensembles voices and dancing were wonderful. I still think that the Utah Hale has a lot more willing talent to come and perform. We see many of the same actors in different plays.

Saturday is what I am most excited to write about. We went outside and did some work in the yard. As I have grown older there are 3 hobbies that I have discovered: cooking, reading, and gardening. I am not real great at gardening in Arizona, but I am learning slowly. I have killed a few plants but that may have been the fault of the poor soil quality or the intense heat and sun. Or it could be the gardner.

I planted a new hibiscus in front of the wire things to go along with my other hibiscus that mealybugs almost destroyed last year. I also planted some lavender to the right of the water can hoping that the smell will make the entrance even more inviting. I also planted some little annuals in the front corner.


Here are some more little annuals that I planted in front of my house along with a hollyhock.







I planted more lavender back by the pool. It was such a deal at Costco that I couldn't pass up this beautiful, fragrant plant.







This what I am most proud of. Last year our RS did an mini-class on square foot gardening and ever since then I have been wanting to make a go at growing vegetables. Here is the result of my labor. I will have to let you know how it goes because I have to water these all by hand because the only good spot to place the garden did not have any sprinklers near by.




This is why it took all day yesterday. The first little box was made early last fall. Well when I went to buy plants I purchased too many, so my wonderful husband agreed to make me another planter box (mind you I asked Friday night). When I was at Lowes Sat. morning I decided to make the second a little bigger.


Here is my little herb garden. I never thought I would use this plant stand again and almost gave it away before we moved here. I saved it for a wise purpose.

In these pots I have basil, rosemary, cilantro, onions and 2 lettuce heads.

In the planter boxes I have 4 lettuce heads, 32 onions, red bell pepper, zucchini, yellow squash, spaghetti squash and cucumber. Monday I am going to go buy corn for the extra spots I have in the planter.

The tomato plant got its own special place in one of my big flower pots.


Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about Hawaii. I am just so darn proud of my little garden and new flowers that I had to share them with someone.

More Maui

Sunday morning we arose and went to church in Lahaina. Sacrament meeting was filled, half with ward members and the other with tourists. As the bishop was announcing the program he added in an item. He felt impressed to have all the elders from the ward get up and sing a song between speakers. I am not sure if you would have had one person go up in a US caucasion ward, in this ward most of the men went up to the stand to sing.

The rest of Sunday we spent sightseeing. The first beach we stopped my mom and I got wet and not on purpose. We were fully clothed and looking in tide pools at all the interesting creatures when a wave crashed on the rocks and we were soaked. Of course Brian couldn't stop laughing at the stunned look on our faces. At least it was warm water.

We continued on our drive. This drive was was one of the greatest finds. It was a winding, one lane road that took us along the coast. There was beautiful, lush scenery and it felt very remote. However, during our helicopter tour we found out that on the moutaintops above us were acres and acres of pineapple fields. On this little drive we even saw some people buying drugs and we were offered some as we were trying to pass the two vehicles on this wide road.

Monday we finally got the beach, but first my mom and I tried the watersize class held at the resort. We were the youngest ones in the pool. We were even younger than the instructor. I think most of these people spend some of their retirement in Maui. There were so many retirees that we couldn't find a place to stand so we did our own thing and left.


The beach we made it to was Ka'napali Beach and it was gorgeous. We did a little sun bathing and some boogie boarding. I must have used the sunscreen right because I came home almost as white as I left. This was a little disappointing so I brought home Maui Babe tan enhancer. I am going to have to try the stuff soon so people think I really went to Hawaii. Below is a picture of the beach.

That evening we did some shopping and walking around Lahaina. This is a cute little town with a lot of activity. This is also the place of the famous Banyan Tree. It fills one whole city block. Of course we left our camera at the condo so you will have to take my word for it or go to Maui yourself. We tried Bubba Gumps for dinner and it was good.

Below is a picture of Brian and I at the Iao Needle. This was a lookout for the first Hawaiians in Maui. It was also a place of great carnage. When King Kamehameha the Great of the Big Island invaded Maui he herded the inhabitants here and murdered many of them. It is too bad the place has such awful history because the area is beautiful.

Maui

Brian and I did make it home from Hawaii. We never want to come home, but we love our kids enough that we always want them back. I am having a hard time getting back into the groove of writing because I have been catching up on everyone else's blog and of course catching up on real life (I did 6 loads of laundry Monday and Tuesday). Sometimes I would rather read up on other people than actually write about my own.

I think I am going to do as my friend, Ashley, did when writing about her trip to Italy. She divided it into different segments. So here is the first installment.

Brian's parents made it to our house Thursday evening. I was glad that they were able to come down a little early so we could spend some time with them before dashing to the airport. Friday we took them to pick oranges and grapefruit. If anyone knows Alan, Brian's dad, then they know that this is one of his favorite things to do is pick other people's fruit. I think he ate 2 oranges and a tangelo before we pulled out of the orchard and we were there for an hour at most.

Saturday was the big day. Our flight was left in the evening so we were able to play one game of Ticket to Ride before leaving. I had to redeem myself from the night before. We were cutting it a little close. In fact, Alan had to end the game so we wouldn't miss the flight.

My parents met us at the Maui airport. They were our traveling buddies for this trip. They had flown in the night before. Like always Brian and my mom did a great job of researching accommodations. We stayed in a condo at Papakea Resort in Ka'apalua for the first 5 nights. We were right on the ocean. One of the favorite activities was to sit on the lanai and watch the humpback whales. They were all over on that side of the island. We even saw a couple of turtles playing in the waves and spinner dolphins playing further out in the ocean. The beach in front of the condo wasn't the best for boogie boarding and swimming. It was a little rocky but was swimable a few feet down.


This is our condo and the view from our lanai.