Thread: Howdy from Maui

Just got here. Will be here for a week. Thanks for all the recommendations.

I'm waving 'cuz I hope you're having fun.

I'm also green with envy.

Spent Tuesday shopping and exploring the local scene. Got some great Hawaiian shirts. Many of these vendors out here are not doing internet sales. I've handed out a few cards.

Spent today snorkeling with the fish and turtles at Molokini. Amazing, clear water. You can see the bottom 20-25 feet deep. Haven't been turned into fish food yet. Highly recommended.

Tomorrow is the road to Hana.

Originally Posted by phade

Welcome to the island!
Looks like you're on the South Side; great choice, lots of sun and sand everywhere you look!

Wow, you live in Maui? Great place you have here.

Today, road trip to Hana. Cool drive. Road is scary narrow. Almost got done in by heavy dump truck over the line. Awesome scenery. Tropical rain forest, rains off and on all day. Also went inside a lava tube formed 960 years ago. Black sand beach is very different. Thanks for the info JohnLee.

Tomorrow: Parasailing at Kaanapali

Parasailing was cool, very serene and peaceful 800 feet up. Afterward we drove the road to Kahakuloa. The tour guide stuff talks about the road to Hana being narrow and winding. It's nothing compared to the road to Kahakuloa! This is a real one lane road a few feet wider than the car. Not many places to pass, not many guard rails, and shear drop offs to the ocean. Unbelievable turns and views. Breath taking and un nerving at the same time. Sorry, didn't get any pics of the road, too busy focusing on staying on the road.

Today we hike Haleakala, a 10,000 foot dormant volacano.

Today was a nice hike through the rain forest side of Haleakala. I had to wear jeans, got too much sun on my legs and feet yesterday.

Tomorrow we take a submarine tour and a Luau.

Sub tour and Luau

Monday, the peak of dormant volcano Haleakala, well above the clouds, and a trip to the ocean aquarium.

We left Maui late Monday night and flew all night to DFW. Tough night flight, I need to learn more of Jill's travel tricks.

Thoughts on Maui:
We stayed in a condo in North Kihei. It was a nice, one bedroom, full condo on the beach. Rented for a week at $85 a night. Check out time was 11:00am but owner told us we could stay until we left for our 9:00pm flight, no extra charge.
The people were very nice and helpful. Kihei has some condos but it's a little more laid back. It doesn't have the commercial attractions. The trade winds were really kicking up at 2:00pm everyday. South Kihei has a lot of high end resorts and condos. Lot's of golfing.

Most of the tourist attractions are on the far west and southwest side of the island. Lot's of resorts and condos there, and lot's of people. I felt a lot like one of the crowd when we were on the west side. The Luau was OK but I didn't know there would be 500 people there. I don't think it was the best setting or performance that can be seen. I would have liked a smaller group and more interaction with the actors.

Maui is expensive, food is outrageous. I was told Costco was comparable to the main land. For such a small dot in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, you can see all kinds of weather and climates. You can go above and below the earth. You can go to quiet, peaceful areas or you can go to the trendy, touristy spots. If you go to any tourist spots you will be offered a chance to sit in for a time share sale for a bonus whatever. We have done that already and wanted no part of it. Also, I don't care if I ever see another Jeep or convertible Mustang again in my life, they are all over the island.

Overall, it was one of our best vacations. I'll probably go back again in a couple of years. I have other places I want to see first.

Just my opinion.