Just another Maui T.R.
Apr 7th, 2011, 03:17 PM
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Just another Maui T.R.
Night 1
Flew Continental with connection through SNA. Delayed ~4 hours in SNA due to mechanical problems with cockpit fan.
Concerned would miss rental car pick up, as arrived about midnight 
in OGG, however the National Car Rental agency was still open and even waiting for a customer arriving later.
Day2
Drove on to Grand Champions condo in Wailea. The large 1BR condo had all comforts we expected and free internet. The lanai had a garden view of ginger
and palm trees.
Headed down to Ulua beach and enjoyed good snorkeling there with calm conditions.
Day3
Headed over to Maluaka beach and enjoyed good snorkeling with honu.
Drove to Iao Needle. The uppermost parking has become a pay lot, though the automated payment machine was not working
. Strolled around and enjoyed views of the scenic cliffs and valley. Stopped on our return trip once again to enjoy the Vietnamese burritos at A Saigon Café.
Day4
Drove reverse (counter
) road to Hana. Visited Tedeschi vineyards. Noted many more tour buses driving beyond Hana instead of turning around at Oheo Gulch than on our last visit. Waterfalls were flowing strongly at Wailua falls and some of the falls before, and Maui seemed greener 
than on our last visit. Picked up Ahi and Opah for dinner.
Day5
Morning Snorkel Trip to Molokini aboard Kai Kanani who continue to depart from Makena Beach Resort, but the ground floor office has moved
. A much larger catamaran is now in use compared with our previous trips and they continue to make a second stop for honu. Washed off the SUV from Hana visit and moved on to the Sheraton. The resort was full and our Deluxe Ocean view room was not ready when we arrived. Inquired about the tsunami and the hotel staff indicated that occupants on the first floor were relocated to higher floors. Dined in Lahaina at Aloha Mixed Plate on dish named the same to the beat
of the Old Lahaina Luau which was underway next door.
Day6
Snorkeled at Black Rock with many Honu. The ocean was calm and audible underwater were songs of whales and the cracking of shrimp. The beach was packed, though the pool was not. Saw a pod of dolphins leaping southward near the shore. Dined at Saigon Seafood in Lahaina where the portions were generous and customers were few
.
Day7
Arrived too early in Lahaina for the $5.99 Cheeseburger in Paradise breakfast special, and ended up at the Pioneer Inn where our front table was in earshot of an amusing Parrot. Headed back to the resort for more snorkeling.
Day8
Drove to Lahaina just in time for free street parking and the $5.99 breakfast special.
The only evidence of a recent tsunami was visible from the restaurant as a sailboat sinking in the harbor. Returned to snorkel at Black Rock then headed to Kahalui for some souvenir shopping and returned to Ka`anapali via Wailuku circling the West Maui mountains. It was windy and the Nakalele blowhole was spouting away. Dined at Cilantro in Lahaina, enjoyed the Nachos del
.
Day9
Our last full day spent snorkeling at Black Rock followed by dinner at our favorite restaurant, Mama’s Fish House. A huge
was visible from the Sheraton that afternoon over the mauka mountains ending on the “L” of Lahaina. At Mama’s I enjoyed the 
Bouillabaisse, while Mrs <blue>JohnD<black> enjoyed the Ahi, Ono and Mahimahi sautéed in Panang Curry and coconut milk. Mama’s appeared to have expanded their seating capacity and there was no wait as the sun set. Made use of the complimentary postcards from Mama’s.
Day10
Enjoyed the breakfast buffet at the resort. The tradewinds eased up a little on our last day and it heated up on the beach, while any rain was pretty much limited to the east side of the island during our visit. All in all we are grateful
to report back on just another pleasant visit considering nature’s recent fury.
Finally, a big Mahalo
to all the Fodorites who have shared their recent travel experiences on Maui.
Flew Continental with connection through SNA. Delayed ~4 hours in SNA due to mechanical problems with cockpit fan.
Concerned would miss rental car pick up, as arrived about midnight in OGG, however the National Car Rental agency was still open and even waiting for a customer arriving later. Day2
Drove on to Grand Champions condo in Wailea. The large 1BR condo had all comforts we expected and free internet. The lanai had a garden view of ginger
and palm trees.Headed down to Ulua beach and enjoyed good snorkeling there with calm conditions.
Day3
Headed over to Maluaka beach and enjoyed good snorkeling with honu.
Drove to Iao Needle. The uppermost parking has become a pay lot, though the automated payment machine was not working
. Strolled around and enjoyed views of the scenic cliffs and valley. Stopped on our return trip once again to enjoy the Vietnamese burritos at A Saigon Café. Day4
Drove reverse (counter
) road to Hana. Visited Tedeschi vineyards. Noted many more tour buses driving beyond Hana instead of turning around at Oheo Gulch than on our last visit. Waterfalls were flowing strongly at Wailua falls and some of the falls before, and Maui seemed greener than on our last visit. Picked up Ahi and Opah for dinner.Day5
Morning Snorkel Trip to Molokini aboard Kai Kanani who continue to depart from Makena Beach Resort, but the ground floor office has moved
. A much larger catamaran is now in use compared with our previous trips and they continue to make a second stop for honu. Washed off the SUV from Hana visit and moved on to the Sheraton. The resort was full and our Deluxe Ocean view room was not ready when we arrived. Inquired about the tsunami and the hotel staff indicated that occupants on the first floor were relocated to higher floors. Dined in Lahaina at Aloha Mixed Plate on dish named the same to the beat of the Old Lahaina Luau which was underway next door.Day6
Snorkeled at Black Rock with many Honu. The ocean was calm and audible underwater were songs of whales and the cracking of shrimp. The beach was packed, though the pool was not. Saw a pod of dolphins leaping southward near the shore. Dined at Saigon Seafood in Lahaina where the portions were generous and customers were few
.Day7
Arrived too early in Lahaina for the $5.99 Cheeseburger in Paradise breakfast special, and ended up at the Pioneer Inn where our front table was in earshot of an amusing Parrot. Headed back to the resort for more snorkeling.
Day8
Drove to Lahaina just in time for free street parking and the $5.99 breakfast special.
The only evidence of a recent tsunami was visible from the restaurant as a sailboat sinking in the harbor. Returned to snorkel at Black Rock then headed to Kahalui for some souvenir shopping and returned to Ka`anapali via Wailuku circling the West Maui mountains. It was windy and the Nakalele blowhole was spouting away. Dined at Cilantro in Lahaina, enjoyed the Nachos del
.Day9
Our last full day spent snorkeling at Black Rock followed by dinner at our favorite restaurant, Mama’s Fish House. A huge
was visible from the Sheraton that afternoon over the mauka mountains ending on the “L” of Lahaina. At Mama’s I enjoyed the Bouillabaisse, while Mrs <blue>JohnD<black> enjoyed the Ahi, Ono and Mahimahi sautéed in Panang Curry and coconut milk. Mama’s appeared to have expanded their seating capacity and there was no wait as the sun set. Made use of the complimentary postcards from Mama’s.Day10
Enjoyed the breakfast buffet at the resort. The tradewinds eased up a little on our last day and it heated up on the beach, while any rain was pretty much limited to the east side of the island during our visit. All in all we are grateful
to report back on just another pleasant visit considering nature’s recent fury. Finally, a big Mahalo
to all the Fodorites who have shared their recent travel experiences on Maui.
Apr 8th, 2011, 07:46 AM
#5
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Mahalo for your replies. Yes this was a relaxing, enjoyable vacation after a long, hard winter.
<blue>iamq<black> is right on,
Maui doesn't get voted world's best island for nothing!
OOPS
<blue>iamq<black> is right on,
Maui doesn't get voted world's best island for nothing! OOPS
Apr 9th, 2011, 12:41 PM
#7
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I'm glad you posted about doing the Hana road in reverse. We did the drive, the usual clockwise direction, and were a bit concerned about continuing on past the typical turnaround point. So glad we did the entire drive! It's fabulous!
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