April 24
-28 - Hilo then Maui (the piece de resistance)
Staying 1 night at the Hilo Hawaiian in Hilo, Big Island
Staying 1 night at
Hotel Hana-Maui in
Hana, Maui
Staying 2 nights at the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel in Lahaina, Maui
We originally wanted
to stay 4 days in Maui but the only decent direct flight from Hilo to
Maui is at 8am which would have meant getting up at the crack of dawn
from Volcano Mist and driving an hour to the airport. Instead we will
stay in Hilo (nearer the airport) for one night before flying out at
8:00am. Since we will be on the road in Maui by 9 it will be perfect to
head off to our 4th multi night destination, the Hotel Hana Maui. The
road from Kahului to Hana is called the Heavenly Road to Hana. It is
apparently 50 miles of the most scenic road in the world (or at least
the US). The road hugs the cliff side and has over 65 bridges, many of
them one lane. They say that this trip is 2 hours but I bet I can
stretch it to 4. Our ultimate goal will be our 1 night stay at the
luxurious Hotel Hana-Maui. They are actually cottages with a view of the
rugged seashore.
Hamoa Beach is three miles away and many people walk from the hotel
and take the hotel shuttle back. From this hotel we will be able to
visit the Seven Sacred Pools of O'heo Gulch in Haleakala National Park. Plans have changed see below...
Plans for Hilo and Maui
--> Relaxing (again)
--> Driving the Heavenly Road
--> Hiking the
The Pipiwai Trail
--> Looking for a place for the last night in Hawaii (found and it's the last 2 nights)
--> Start our trip back at noon on Saturday to arrive in Montreal at 1pm
on Sunday.
--> Kahului Airport to Honolulu Airport to Chicago to Montreal. (2 hours
in Honolulu and 5 hours in Chicago airports)
What we really did
The first thing we did last Saturday is change our 2 day reservation at the Hana Hotel for one day and booked our two last nights at the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel in Lahaina Maui. We've grow a little tired of the constantly changing weather conditions on the east coast of these islands. This way, we have the last 2 nights in what is (almost) sure sunshine,
April 24 (8:30 am HST)
We will be off to Hilo as soon as we are packed and we'll move stuff to the car between rain showers. If there is anything wrong with the place we are staying is that is seems to rain here more than even 15 minutes down the road. I guess that's what a rain forest is about. Last night in the Jacuzzi, the rain on the gazebo roof was making more noise than the jets in the hot tub. Hilo is less than an hour's drive from here so we won't be able to check in but we will probably drop off our baggage so that we may drive to Akaka Falls State park and hike to see the 422 foot falls. I assure you they won't be dry.
April 24 (10:00pm HST)
We did go to Akaka Falls and also drove around a little. We were going to head out on Saddle road towards Mauna Kea but the rain started again and it was too cloudy to see the top. We haven't been able to view the top of either Maula Loa or Kea because of clouds near the top. At Mauna Kea, they have clear skies 89% of the time. I guess it's over the clouds that we see. Akaka Falls were really nice and here are a few pictures. Tomorrow morning we are catching an early flight to Maui and we are off to Hana.
Here is a bonus picture from yesterday.
April 25 (6:30am HST)
After 7 days on the Big Island, Hawaii, we finally got to see the top of the mountains from our balcony this morning. We were up early as we fly out to Maui at 8:20. The airport is barely 5 minutes from here and you only have to be there an hour before (max). Here is the picture of the view from our balcony this morning.
April 25 (7:15pm HST)
Today was quite a day for our first day in Maui. First of all the weather was great (except for a platter of rain here and there. The day started off pretty bad at the Hertz car rental. Through work I have been a Hertz gold Member for about 10 years. This used to be a great service and I used to be out of the airport in minutes as the car was already prepared and ready to go. About a year ago, I started having a little problem with this service. In San Fran last year, it took me about 45 minutes to get the car I had reserved. I always take the car that is in my spot because I just want to hit the road. Well, the car that was in my spot was a Mustang convertible (as ordered) except that it was filthy, the plastic lining in the trunk was all off and it had 24,000 miles on it. (In Canada, that car could not be rented because of 32,000km limit). So for the first time ever, I went back and asked for another car. THey happily gave me another one but when I got to the stall it was a Ford Freestyle. I wanted a convertible for the Hana drive and certainly not a beast like that.
So I went back and told her that the car she gave me was a truck. She said no problem and that her boss would have a Mustang washed up and brought to us. Well this one was a Mustang, dirtier than the first, more mileage, the buttons for moving the seats we missing, the remote door/trunk thingie was not working and the grey leather seats were beige from the dirt. We packed the car but just before pulling out, Myrna said why don't you go see if they can upgrade you.
So I went back in and said that I didn't want to be miserable for the next 3 and a half days and that if she had anything better I would even pay the difference.
Well she 'pulled' some strings and out came a Audi A4 Quatro convertible with Techtronic transmission. It cost a bit more and she through in a Neverlost system for free. It doesn't matter because the Heavenly Hana Highway was that more heavenly. Only little problem, actually less trunk space than the Mustang but who cares.
We don't have internet access in the room so I have to do this through the club room in the hotel, so I will prepare the pictures and try to put them here by the morning (which means afternoon for people back home)
April 26 (6:00am HST)
Today is the last day on the east coast of any island. We are moving to the 'sunny' side (Lahaina). Since I don't see many sunrises, I thought getting early and taking pictures of the sunrise would be nice. It was except that one particular cloud was kind of blocking the sun. The waves were crashing and the early birds were chirping and I got a few shots. Tonight, we should see the sunset on the other side so, later on, we are taking the road from Hana again. We were maybe going to venture on the Kaupo (cow-po) road since we have a 4wd but it is closed indefinitely because of an earthquake. This is probably good for the Audi. See you on the flipside....
And here is a picture from a couple hours later
April 26 (4:30PM)
Arrived at the Ka'anapali Beach resort. It's hot over 85 degrees. The water is a lot calmer on this side than on the east side. We are close to the beach (about 45 yards fom the beach-Full out sand wedge for me). The room is ok but the view will make up for it.
We are waiting to meet my niece Lynn, her huband Stewart and the Harrison who's almost 4 months old (Born on December 29). They happen to be in Maui at the same time as we are. Here is a picture of the view from our lanai and our little visitor. He's a great kid and he almost didn't cry when I held him.
April 27 (7:45am HST)
This is our last full day on the islands (day 13). We filling up the gas tank and seeing going on a little drive culminating in a visit South for some snorkeling and another visit with Harrison. But first we are driving to Kapalua where I can drool over the golf courses.
Here is a picture to start the day. You probably will have to scroll as this is 3 pictures stitch together.
April 27 (8:00pm HST)
Our last evening in Hawaii. We can honestly say that it will be hard leaving this place but we will be back. Aloha means hello, goodbye (like salut in French) and love. Hawaiion's don't like to say goodbye so they say so they say 'a hui hou' which means until we meet again. Take a look at this picture.
I may have time to update this in the morning since we only leave for the airport at 11:30. If not, glad you could join us on this odyssey. Look for a slide show within a week. I can't believe I did this but I have left my taxes to be done on Monday.
April 28 (11:00am HST)
We are coming back. Here is the last picture.......
