Aloha-ha

Spent a week in Maui a couple of weeks ago and haven't posted about it yet...

I had the opportunity to visit my cousin who recently moved to Hawaii. She and three of her friends decided to pack up, head out to paradise, and see how things turn out for them before joining the "real world." So I left my version of the real world behind and sought one filled with sun, beaches, luaus, and fire dancers. What I got was an MTV version of the Real World. Can those of you who know me even imagine thirty-something me surrounded by twenty-something sorority girls. Having attended a private, faith-based college myself, an apartment full of underwear and/or bikini-clad females was a bit disorienting. I got used to it, but my body image is still recuperating. Here's the blow by blow...

Thursday ~ You know it's going to be a good trip when your luggage is the FIRST one off the carousel. Picked up a rental car, plugged in Ginger (my stepdad's GPS) and headed to Lahaina, temporary home of my beloved cousin Sarah. Ate at Maui Taco and wandered around Front Street. Crashed early because...

Friday ~ Woke up at 2:15 to hop in the car and head to Haleakala to watch the sunrise atop the dormant volcano. It was a two-hour drive. We got there while it was still dark and it was soooo cold that we decided to stay in the car and sleep for just 30 minutes. When we woke up I thought we had missed it because the sky was turning red. But don't worry, we waited (along with hundreds of other tourists -- including one very loud group of Japanese travelers) for another 50 minutes for the blessed sun to rise. This is probably an inappropriate comment to make, but I was so cold my nipples were in severe pain! The sun finally broke from behind the clouds and it was a truly breathtaking experience...until some man standing on a rock broke out into a Hawaiian song. I wonder if he sings to the sun every day or if we were just lucky (said with sarcasm). He ended his serenade with a strong "Aloha!" We ran back to the car (first ones out!) and made the two-hour trek back. We were hungry and tried to find a quaint local diner but wouldn't you know we had to settle for a Denny's. Yep. I don't even eat at Denny's here on the mainland. Back to Sarah's apartment and then a nap.

Grabbed some snorkel gear (compliments of Snorkel Bob and Sarah's roommate Alex) and ended up snorkeling in Napili. I was hoping to see at least one sea turtle during my trip and was pleased to spot TWO in my first full day! Walked to the harbor to watch the sunset with the girls and had a glass (okay, a plastic cup) of wine. Dinner with the girls at Cool Cat's and early to bed for...

Saturday ~ Wake up call at 6:30. Headed for a camping trip in Hana. Went to the store to pick up hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, and 120 cans of beer. Nice. Guess it comes with the territory when you're surrounded by college students. Loaded Rob's truck and headed to Hana. The Road to Hana was amazing. Something like 300 twists and turns against the side of the mountain. Beautiful if not a little nauseating. Scenic turnouts and waterfalls to stop along the way. Didn't stop at any of the fruit stands but really wish I had. We did stop at a gorgeous waterfall and were guided to the trail that led to it where we hopped in the pool beneath it. It was amazing! Loved swimming through the waterfall and looking up at the sky from underneath it. Finally found the campgrounds at Haleakala National Park and pitched our tents on a cliff underneath a big tree. Pretty freakin' fantastic! Found our way to the O'heo Gulch (also called the Seven Sacred Pools) and swam some more. Jumped off a couple of small cliff thingies. Talked and played cards (okay, played drinking games -- college students, remember?) underneath the most beautiful sky of stars and fell asleep listening to waves crash beneath us.

Sunday ~ My car packed up and headed back, stopping at another park to take in the black sand beach and interesting caves. Also trekked to the Twin Falls. Had we known from the onset that it was going to be at least a mile uphill to get to the less-than-amazing waterfall we probably would have skipped it. But there was a rope swing. And I attempted it. And failed. At least there was a drink stand on the way out. Out of the pure sugar can juice I had read about but they had a fantastic pineapple smoothie. Back to Lahaina. Sarah and I ventured south to "Little Beach" for the fire dancing that occurs on Sunday evenings. It was incredible. Not exactly what I expected (big Polynesian men with leis on) but incredible nonetheless. Except for the naked people. Yep. "Little Beach" is for nudies. And one of the fire dancers fit right in. Not quite sure how she managed to lay down in the sand, writhe around a bit, and still feel comfortable to keep on twirlin' her flaming hula hoop.
Monday ~ A fairly lazy day. Sarah and I went to Ka'anapali and jumped off Black Rock. Then we snorkeled...after finally making it back into the ocean. The tide was coming in and/or the surf was breaking hard and we got stuck in the rolling waves and sand and she crashed into me and I ended up having to roll myself out to sea when the waves ebbed back. Shoulda put the flippers on last. Oh well. Hindsight, right? Did get to see more turtles! Lunch at Hula Grill. Needless to say, there was much sand in my bathing suit, my hair, and various crevices of my body. After I showered I took to Front Street in Lahaina and window shopped up a storm. Dinner at BJs with the girls.

Tuesday ~ Sarah had to work so I stayed local. Walked to Baby Beach and enjoyed a much calmer day near the water. Found Kahuna Kebabs tucked into a courtyard (the girls swore it was no longer there) and had lunch. Then took a walking tour of Lahaina. Interesting history. So diverse. After Sarah got home from work we headed to the "Free Hula Show" I'd spotted on a sign outside a mall. It turned out to be a dancing school's weekly recital. Ah well, it was free after all. We went around the corner and ate at Aloha Mixed Plate where I ordered the aloha mixed plate. It was de-lish and my favorite meal thus far. Out on the town for drinks with the girlies. Our last hurrah.

Wednesday ~ Last day in paradise. Finally ate breakfast at the quaint local diner we searched for my first day. Walked around town for a bit (finally mailed out my postcards) and then headed to Airport Beach for more snorkeling. By far the best place to snorkel...lots of different kinds of fish and more sea turtles! A little bummed I never saw a stingray, but the turtles were enough! A little more solo shopping, packing, and revving up for the trip home. Baylee convinced me to leave earlier than I planned because of rush hour. Good thing I listened to her...took me almost an hour to drive five miles or so. Last stop before the airport was Mama's Fish House. Without a doubt, the best meal I have ever eaten. Ever. In my life. The atmosphere was cozy and romantic without making me (dining solo) feel like throwing up. I ordered Monchong (a fish I've never even heard of ) that was pan seared in macadamia nuts with roasted veggies and something else. It was all so good. I dropped $75 for my meal, but I'd do it all over again (and I'm pretty stingy!). It was that good. What a great way to end my week in paradise!