This is the day, we leave the paradise. We finished packing as much as possible. Kids wanted to use the boogie board. So P1, P2 and I decided to drive to Kaanapali beach for one last swim. We took the boogie board. Initially, the waves were little. In another 30 minutes, the waves were tossing us around like a toy. I sat on the shore for a while watching P1 and P2. I wanted a last minute dip. I joined them. In no time, I was also tossed. I lost my prescription glasses. P1 and P2 searched for it for a [View Full Entry]

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We could not sleep well. Car alarm went off intermittently between 1 and 3 am. We finally work up around 7 am. Kids had homemade omelets. Their scuba lessons start at 9:30 in the neighboring pool. Initial lesson in the pool is free. If the participants are comfortable, instructor would take them to Ocean dive right behind the resort. Instructor asked us to hang around for an hour. It is possible that the ears do not adjust as they dive down. He didn’t want to take anybody whose ears did not get adjusted. P2 had this problem. So we decided to [View Full Entry]

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We woke up to the sound of three alarms (2 cell phones). Kids were cooperative. By the time we left home, it was already 2:45 am. Roads were pretty much empty. We wore 2 layers of clothing, and took our jackets, gloves and caps. We reached Airport area in 40 minutes. After travelling south east, we started climbing the mighty Haleakala. Roads were narrow, but well marked and constructed. We could not see the landscape outside because of the lack of light. After 6500 feet, you could feel the cold air seeping in. We reached the summit and the viewing area [View Full Entry]

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On this day, there was excitement as well as some apprehension. Snorkeling! We left home around 8:30 am after breakfast. We need to find a parking spot that will be valid for 7 hours in Lahaina. Mornings are OK to park in Lahaina area. We got a lot that is free. By 9 am we were sitting in front of Pier #18 waiting for the catamaran. There would be at least 45 people. This hi-speed boat had bench seats on either side of the captain’s station. One can sit on the outside tube also. Captain Greg and Andrea gave a [View Full Entry]

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We woke up around 7 am. We were determined to have a good breakfast today. It rained again in the morning for 30 minutes. We saw a beautiful rainbow from the bathroom window. Hana is green (land) and blue (ocean). We checked out of the hotel and headed for a breakfast place. Ranch house opens only at 11 am. Locals told us to go to “Tutu’s”. It was small place with limited menu options. We had eggs, toast a French toast. We left Hana around 10 am. Now we continue on past Hana and south. Usually, most of the tourists turn [View Full Entry]

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Big day today. It is our most anticipated “Road to Hana” day. We had decided to stay overnight in Hana. So, we had to pack an overnight bag. We decided to leave a little late so that we could avoid some initial traffic. We made the readymade MTR Upma for breakfast! We left home around 9:15 am. First stop was Pa ‘ia to get boxed lunches for all of us. We got veggie sandwich boxes. I took Dramamine too, since they were selling it in the shop. By the time we headed back on the road it was already close to [View Full Entry]

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We woke up at 6:30 this morning. After coffee, I went to the concierge service. We wanted to check the feasibility of a day trip to Big Island. ‘Chip’ provided some options and they were either expensive or the dates were off. Finally, we gave up on that and booked a ‘Snorkeling’ boat trip to Lana’i with landing option. It would be a 7 hour excursion. After returning to the condo, I also called the “Atlantis” submarine and got reservations for 10 am launch. We will have to be in Lahaina slip by 9:30 am. We left home around 9 am [View Full Entry]

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We woke up at 6:30 this morning. We had coffee with milk! P1 was already up sitting in the lanai area talking to his friends. We made breakfast (bread, cereal). Today’s plan was to visit West Maui Mountain including “Io needle”. We left home around 9:15 am. First stop on the way was “Maui Tropical Plantation” in Wailuku. It is in an excellent location under the foothills of west Maui Mountains. One can tour their gardens and plantation for a fee. We preferred to use that money to buy some items such fruit jelly, perfume etc. There is a section of [View Full Entry]

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We woke up very early next day morning (time difference - 3 hours). We are also very hungry. Dinner was at 5:30 PM previous day. There was no food in the fridge. We opened to lanai door and stared at the Ocean for long time. We could see two islands one to the left and other straight ahead. It is Lana’I and Molokai. I had to go to front desk to get new keys. We were planning to go to next door resort for breakfast. In the front office, the concierge requested us to come over to an introduction to Maui [View Full Entry]

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Flight from PHX and LA was on time. We left home around 12:45 PM to the PHX airport. Ashok dropped us. We had 2 ½ hours in LA. We had an early dinner at Baja Fresh inside the airortl. After finishing dinner, we came to the terminal to realize that there was some mechanical trouble with the plane. No estimates were provided initially. I called the resort and let them know, that I might be delayed. Luckily, the delay was only for 30 minutes. Pilot promised that he would make up the time. We reached almost on time. We took a [View Full Entry]

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