2013 Wowwie Maui!!!!

  After years of trying to get Ken to go to Maui, he finally agreed to go.  I had been there twice before, first with my Dad and another time with my sister, but neither of them are snorkelers.  Maui has a reputation for much better snorkeling then Kauai.  I was anxious to see if that was really true!  Ken thought it would be more crowded and more of a party island.  

Note about my cameras:  above ground-Canon 60D; underwater-Canon D20
 

Feb. 18, 2013--STL-DFW-OGG; the long travel day---

Feb. 19, 2013:  Makena Landing snorkeling---

Feb. 20, 2013: Honolua snorkeling---

Feb. 21, 2013: Just another windy Thursday and snorkeling Maluaka---

Feb. 22, 2013:  "A" is for Ahihi!

Feb. 23, 2013: Kapalua  snorkeling---

Feb. 24, 2013: Po'olenalena and Makena Landing--

Feb. 25, 2013: Po'olenalena and Drums of the Pacific luau---

Feb. 26, 2013: snorkel Olowalu (MM14) and Baileys arrive from PDX---

Feb. 28, 2013:  Kapalua snorkeling and Lahaina---

March 1, 2013:  Ahini and Mama's Fish House---

March 2, 2013: Ulua, peggy sue's, kameole and more----

March 3, 2013: Oneuli Beach, Whale watching tour, Bubba Gumps:

March 4, 2013: Kula Garden, Haleakala---

March 5, 2013:Maluaka---

March 6, 2013: time to leave!---

I'm pretty sure we will be returning to Maui.  I wasn't sure if hubby would like Maui because it's busier then Kauai, but he really did.   In fact, he seems to like it more then Kauai.  He liked that there were more snorkel beaches right next to each other so if one was full, we could quickly go to another one.  As for the snorkeling being better then Kauai, that would be a yes.  But Kauai has the edge on being prettier on land.

We were fortunate to have the trade winds with it's low humidity the whole time we were there.  Kona winds were expected soon after we left.  I had planned on going to Lanai, but the snorkeling was so good on  Maui that we didn't bother going there (this time)---plus there were small boat warnings much of the time we were there.  Next year when we're in Kauai we'll probably be missing Maui!

March 6, 2013: time to leave!---

 The last 2 1/2 weeks sure went fast!  Can't believe it was time to check out already!   We piddled around the room until about 11---check out time was noon and our flight wasn't until 5:55.  They offered us a room key for a shared courtesy room, but we didn't figure we needed it for an early evening flight.  Still it's nice to know it's offered.  I guess we could have gone snorkeling and still been able to dry our stuff, but Ken wasn't interested in doing that.  So we headed off not having a clue what to do for 3 or 4 hours. 

At first we headed south a bit.  Took some more pictures. 

 Love these flowers, didn't see many of them on Maui.  (Lantana)

More pretty flowers !

 A confused plant.

 My sister and I checked out this neat old church when we were there last May.  Here's what I wrote about it in that blog: Keawalai Congregational Church. It was founded in 1832. The land it's on was purchased in 1864 for $80. In the 50's, the climate of the area changed from fertile lands to the parched land it is now (global warming back then?) so many of the congregation left for easier living. Renovations began on the church in the 70's and continued little by little even today. Hawaiian tradition and culture are carried on here by using Hawaiian language, music, and dance in it's services.

 When I was there in May, the church wasn't open.  Today it was so I got to peek inside!

 Love how pristine and organized the place is.  They even appear to have Hawaiian church service books.

There's even an interesting old cemetary there.

AFter riding around the south side a bit, we decided to head towards Kahalui and find a bite to eat before heading to the airport.  On our way there, we stopped at a neat Hawaii clothes outlet store in Kihei on the east side of Piilani Highway.  Neat store---lots of souvenir stuff as well as clothes.  Will remember that store!  I was actually on the hunt for a Maui sweatshirt without a hood, but only saw a couple the whole time we were there and I didn't like either one enough to buy.  Once we got to Kahalui, we rode around trying to find a place to eat.  Saw a bunch of chain restaurants.  Ended up just grabbing a sandwich from Jack in the Box and going to a dead end road overlooking the ocean and had a pic nic with the rest of our soda and chips we brought from the room.  Not quite what I had in mind for our last meal on Maui, but at least it had a great view!

Then we drove around to the other side of the harbor and watched some kite surfers for awhile.

By 3 we decided it was time to head towards the car rental place.  Then we were off to the airport---early, but better then late!  At least this plane was on time, in fact we left a little early.  Got a nice view of the coastline after take off.

Even a view of the Big Island.

Arrived at DFW early and even left there about 10 minutes early!  Got to watch sunset and sunrise from the airplane.

Another 1 1/2 hours and we were descending into St. Louis.   I know a lot of people won't go to Hawaii because of the long flights, but it's so worth it!!!  Especially when it's cold and snowing at home!  We also know people who won't go because it's so expensive, but we don't spend much money there.  Our flights were free thanks to our AA credit card.  Our condo was reserved with our Worldmark points.  We don't eat out at fancy restaurants often.  Our main entertainment is free--snorkeling and watching sunsets.   The main cost was the car and gas. 

March 5, 2013:Maluaka---

Last full day!  Can't believe time has gone by so quickly!!!  One last chance to snorkel for a long long time!  So we were up early, had a quick bowl of cereal, and were out the door about 8:30.  Headed to Maluaka Beach (where we tried to go with Bill and Sue the last day they were here, but couldn't get parking).  It was our lucky day, again, and we got the first non-handicapped parking spot.  The water looked really inviting---rather calm and beautiful blue from the sunny skies.  The south surge was down today.

 Even the water was clearer today.  Here's another lei triggerfish.

 Still the only place we snorkeled around Maui where I've seen these guys---lagoon triggerfish.

 More sailfin tangs

 more schools of these tiny fish.  Can't get a close up of them.

 We headed way to the south around the point and all the way to Oneuli Black Sand Beach.  Snorkeling was great!  Couldn't get a good picture of these guys (soldier fish), they hide fast! 

 saw more trumpet fish, including this nicely marked one.

 Also had a turtle swim by me trying to get away from a flock of snorkelers from a nearby boat snorkel tour.

 Came across this little area where air was coming through the rocks.  Thought at first there was a diver below, but there was no cave for a diver to be in!  Reminded me of a mini version of Champagne Reef at Dominica in the Caribbean. 

 Another first for Maui---a spotfin squirrelfish.  I was lucky to get a picture of him.  They're another hider.

 Just liked the unusual color of this coral.

After about 2 1/2 hours, we sat on shore for a bit and regrouped, then headed the other direction---almost to Mekena Landing.

a school of bandtail goatfish.

 yellowfin surgeonfish.

 A big school of yellowfin surgeonfish.  Really cool!

 another school of goatfish.

 The neat little church near Makena Landing.

 Looking towards Makena Landing.  By now it was after 1 and the surf was picking up.

 One of the few chubs we've seen on Maui.  There are lots of them around Kauai, especially at Poipu.

 juvenile yellowtail coris

 Mr. Bill!------couldn't resist!  (Hope it's not against the celebrity privacy act that just passed here last night brought on by Steven Tyler---I guess the picture I took of him the other night was the last straw!) There were actually several little starfish in the sand near shore---this was by far the largest.

About 2:30 we decided we'd had enough snorkeling.  Must be time to leave---this is the first time in the 2+ weeks that I'm feeling the swaying of the water when I'm no longer in the water!  Bye bye Maluaka Beach!

 We decided to head down the southern coast and get one last look it for awhile.
This is  somewhere around LaParouse Bay.

 I took the cinder trail along the coast there to see what was there.

 More of the trail.

 Love that someone made this for me!

 sort of reminded me of the Big Island beaches.

 We headed back to the condo then and started eating the leftovers---kalua pork, bagels, toast, pizza, cookies, BEER, ... .  About 6 we left for sunset.  This time we headed to the south end of Kalama Park.

 Another one without much color.

 zoomed in to see the colors.

 I'm sure I'll be wishing I was watching another lack luster sunset tomorrow night while I'm sitting on a plane all night!  Have no idea what we'll do tomorrow, but the snorkel gear is packed!  Our flight is scheduled to leave at about 5:55 pm tomorrow night.  Get home about 8:30am on Thursday.

March 4, 2013: Kula Garden, Haleakala--

Up early again.  Today Bill and Sue headed home.  With their flight at 11:55am, they were up and out for their walk early.  Then we headed to breakfast at Kihei Cafe.  Definately an interesting place!  Stand in line to order food, then wait to grab a table, then wait for food.  They certainly do a great business!  I got to banana mac nut pancakes.  They were great.  Everyone else liked their food, too. 

By the time we were done, it was about time to head to OGG.  We probably got them there too early (about 10), but I guess it's better to be early then late.  Since we were on that side of the island, I managed to talk Ken into taking me to Kula Botanical Gardens.  There was a $10/person admission fee, but we enjoyed our leisurely walk.  We probably spent an hour or 2 there.  Unfortunately I don't know as much about plants as I do fish.

 azalea

 ????

 birdies

 map of the garden

purple flowers

One of the beautiful walkways.

 one of the beautiful flowers

 ???

 wish this was my lawn!!!

 a type of ginger!

 protea

 iris?

 protea

 orchid

 orchid

 orchid

 weird antherium?

 talk about root bound!

 pretty gazebo

 bird aviary

 nene admiring a tree

 blood leaf bush---or something like that.

 Almost looks like a Christmas tree farm!

 ?????

 more pretty walkways

 looks like a type of agapanthis (sp)

 hydrangea

 hairy palm???

 just another pretty walkway!

 another pretty protea

 trellis

 ??????

nice place to sit and contemplate the meaning of life!

 even had some of these guys there.

 nifty Dr. Suess tree.

 another orchid?

view to the southwest from the gardens.

Since we were halfway up the mountain, Ken asked if I wanted to go up to the summit of Haleakala.  YES!!!!

I've been up here 3 other times, but this is the first time I've been there when there were no clouds!  It was also about 63 degrees up there and not windy! 

 would be an interesting hike.

Love looking at the cinder cones inside the weathered summit.

view down to the valley from the summit.

finally made it to the 10,000ft mark!

lots of silver swords up here.

heading back down.

Lots of sugar cane fields.

 Cute little white horse

 cute little town of Makawao.

By now it was after 3 and we were hungry.  I remembered Stillwells was a cafe,too, so we thought we'd try it out.  Unfortunately, they stop serving lunch at 3 and they were out of lilikoi desserts, so we had to settle for pie!  It was so good I even forgot to take a picture of it until we were half done.  While we were there, we met a young lady who works on The Pride of America cruise ship that was in port then.  We offered and gave her a ride back to the ship and had a nice visit with her after finishing our pie.  Knew there was a reason we checked out that port earlier in the week!

Having had dessert, it was time for dinner.  So we headed to Round Table pizza again.  We don't have Round Table pizza at home, so have to get our fill now.  Plus my salad and the medium pizza was only $22. 

Heading back to our resort we found traffic a real mess.  There was apparently a fatal accident somewhere around Piilani and S. Kihei.  I guess there aren't many ways to bypass highway accidents here.

Near sunset, I walked across from our resort and wandered between Kameole I and II beaches.  Even watched some volleyball players for awhile.  As an avid volleyball player, I was really wanting to play---will have to wait a couple more days until I get back home!  Don't know about the other sand courts along S. Kihei road, but this court is used alot.

Nearer to sunset I headed off to find a spot to take sunset pictures. On the way, I spotted these cool pups.

 Kameole beach II (down from our resort)

 even got treated to a playfull whale not too far from shore.

and finally, another not too impressive sunset.  But it's in Maui!

Couldn't go the whole day without getting in the water!  So we hit the pool and jacuzzi after dark.  Perfect end to another perfect day!  Only 1 more full day left!!!!