Wowie Maui

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We landed in Honolulu (on the island of Oahu) on time and after a remarkably comfortable night flight. As we had already been to Oahu (on honeymoon almost 4 years to the day) we had decided to spend our week on Maui instead. We had already booked accomodation but had been unable to buy domestic air tickets online without a US credit card. Therefore, we walked over to the domestic air terminal in search of passage. After checking both Hawaiian Air and Aloha Air but found that they both wanted the same amount - so we went with Aloha because they sounded more fun and seats on the next plane.

The flight to Maui was perhaps the shortest in history (about 20 mins) and we proceeded to our hostel ("Banana Bungalow" in Wailuku). We spent the rest of Sunday filing a report at the police station (for a missing wallet - don't ask!), cancelling credit cards (still don't ask!), doing some shopping and settling in...

The coolest thing about "Banana Bungalow" (apart from the fact that you are on one of the most fantastic tropical island in the world and are surrounded by volcanoes, sugar cane fields and beaches) is that they have two big minivans and run free tours daily for anyone staying at the hostel. Accordingly we've had probably the best week of our year (excluding the wallet incident - I said don't ask!):

MONDAY : Iao Valley (lava pinnnacle, eating fresh guavas and strawberry guavas straight from the trees, swimming in the river), Kahkuloa village, Honokohau bay (climbed down a cliff to swim in a rock pool by the crashing pacific ocean waves), ended the day boogie boarding on "D T Flemming" beach and visiting the resort town of Lahaina.

TUESDAY : Travelled east on the winding and tortuous road to Hana - stopping for (fish?!) tacos, leaping into cave pools and swimming/being thrown around by huges waves on black sand beach. Big hike in afternoon through Kipahulu valley, through bamboo forests and up to amazing waterfalls. We ended the day swimming/being thrown around by waves at a red sand beach!

WEDNESDAY : This tour didn't leave until lunchtime so we had time to revisit Maui Police Dept. to pick up a copy of our crime report (as you may recall I said don't ask!). We spent the afternoon snorkelling at Black Rock (Kaanapali) where we swam with three turtles and some amazing fish. We returned to Lahaina for happy hour cocktails and fine food (we resisted the Hard Rock Cafe and opted instead for the more budget-friendly Burger King).

THURSDAY : Another snorkelling trip but not so successful. There was a big swell (originating from a storm in New Zealand earlier in the week) so the ocean was very choppy and visibility was poor. After trying several beaches we ended up getting a refund on the whole group's snorkelling gear and Emma cut her leg and toe and foot being dashed against sharp rocks (she's so proud of her first real Hawaiian surf injuries!). Instead, we spent the afternoon at Makena beach where the 8-12ft waves were awesome and a lot of fun was had by those of us who braved them (when we weren't busy trying not to drown). We ended the day in Kihei drinking 1 litre Mai Tai cocktails (served in carafes) and nursing bruises, scrapes and strains.

FRIDAY : Baldwin beach on the very windy north shore followed by th surfer/hippie town of Paia. After lunch we went to watch kite-surfers literally surfing the ocean holding onto kites and periodically flying through the air - to be seen to be believed. At the end of the day we hiked down a valley to a waterfall in the West Maui Mountains which included climbing down a cliff face using the roots of a very large Banyan tree.

Today's trip involves a hike through a volcano but we both decided that we are too tired/sore/injured so we're having a rest day - Emma's reading and I'm writing this.

Tomorrow we fly to Honolulu and then overnight to LA...

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