Maui

Maui, Hawaii


After six days in Maui and a constant 81 degrees, I returned to DIA and an 8 degree temp in the car. Quite a temperature difference. I had thought ahead and put a winter coat, boots and gloves in the car but had to walk through the snow to get to the boots so had frozen and wet toes before I even began. But, as with any trip, it was good to be back in Colorado and home.

It was a great trip and I would definitely go back. It is a beautiful but expensive place. We stayed at the Westin Spa and Resort in Kaanapali. Megan and Avery picked me up at the airport Tuesday afternoon after leaving home at 5 for an 8:00 flight to Phoenix and then a 6 hour flight to Maui. In the evening we (Megan, Damian and Avery) went to Mama's Fish House, a fancy fish restaurant, and met Mick and Vic for dinner. The menu listed the fish that was caught that day and by whom and where it was caught. I did not recognize any of the fish so just picked the one that came with the vegetable I would like. The appetizers and fish were delicious. It was a late night for Avery and she was ready to leave and go to bed--as we all were.

We had a buffet brunch the next morning with Mike and Vic at the resort. (Megan, Damian and Avery had been on Maui for Mike and Vic's wedding the week before). In fact we enjoyed eating there 2 more times before we left-lots of choices of breakfast type foods. Damian, Avery and I went swimming in the pool before Megan took him to the airport at noon. Avery and I read a couple of books and then we both took a nice nap.


Our two main activities were a whale watching boat tour and a visit to an aquarium. The name of the tour, Whalewatch Eco-Adventures, is run by the Pacific Whale Foundation, a nonprofit organization "dedicated to protecting whales, dolphins, coral reefs and the ocean environment". So, of course, being good environmentalists, that is the one we chose. It was a two hour cruise and although the whale watching season doesn't start until the 15th of Dec, the tour guides were hopeful and we were not disappointed. There was a juvenile whale that breached 4 times and lots of tail flipping. I had a good view of one breaching but the others were either on the other side of the boat or someone was in front of me. But I loved it! I love boats so I was happy with just the one sighting. Avery, however, was not happy. Being a two year old (will be 2 on the 19th) she wanted to run around-not safe on a rocking boat. She wanted milk--no milk on the boat. Not a happy camper. Megan had to take her below and try to divert her attention to other things as Avery made her unhappiness known. I felt very sorry for Megan who was a cranky mess by the end of the trip. We stopped for Ding Dongs and Twizzlers after we were back on land, making Megan a lot happier.

Our second outing was to the Maui Ocean Center. We arrived at 3:30 and it closed at 5 but that was just right for Avery and Megan(who moves quickly through museums). We saw big fish and little fish and sharks and sea turtles and corral reefs. I love aquariums! My favorite are the jelly fish-I could watch them all day. And, it had a great gift shop.

We ate a place called Cheeseburger in Paradise with a guy playing the guitar and singing Jimmy Buffet songs. I, of course, had fish and chips.

I walked along the ocean early a couple of mornings. The waves were large and loud and the water was warm. I loved walking in the sand and having the wave come up and cover my feet and at times my knees. They were strong waves and I watched them carefully and stood still with each one so as to not be pulled over. Not many people out at that time of the morning so it was very peaceful.

On our last full day I insisted that the 3 of us make a sand castle on the beach. Avery was a little frightened of the sound of the waves so we settled high on the beach and then either Megan or I went to the ocean to get water. We had one bucket and a paper coffee cup and it made a splendid castle. Megan even got sand on her feet--she is really making progress since she became a mom. Avery also loved the little shower places that were available for feet washing. We then went to the pool to do some real swimming. Avery is very good at kicking her feet and could almost tread water without being held. I did not put her head under water--that is Damian's domain--he has the knack for that and she trusts him.

On Saturday we had breakfast at Cheeseburger in Paradise and walked through that town to a craft fair. There were to be activities for children that day with snow brought in, Santa and other entertainment. The craft fair was set up under a banyan tree that was planted in the 1800's and was huge. It's branches were either held up by wooden stakes or roots of the tree that grew out of the branches. It was amazing. We looked at a few things but Avery wanted to run around. She is at the stage where she does not want to hold your hand so you just have to follow her. We headed back to the hotel for her nap.

We left for the airport on Sunday as Megan and Avery had a 1:30 flight to Portland. My flight did not leave until 11:30 that night so I sat and read, walked (not far as I had my suitcase), watched people and had a something to eat at Starbucks. I was not able to go through security until US Air opened up at 8:30--surprise--they only have that one night time flight. There were restaurants past security but by that time I was not interested in eating. I did finish my 500 page Scott Turow book though.

I am glad I was able to take this trip and thank Megan and Damian for the invitation. I know it was not easy for Megan to make the 6 hour airline trip back to Portland without Damian's help so I really appreciated her efforts.


PS
This is my first try with adding pictures. I wanted the two ocean pictures to come before the writing about the cruise but that did not happen. Also I wanted to add text to the pictures but could not figure that out-besides I am ready to end this --my hands are cold. So, the first picture is from the boat looking toward where the whales were. The second is looking toward the dock as we were leaving. The picture of Megan and Avery was taken after we all had gone swimming.