Day 12 - Tuesday 28th April
We checked out of our hotel in Waikiki at around midday and took the short flight on Island Air to Maui.
We arrived in Maui at around 4.20 - the airport at Kapalua is very small and it took no time at all to reach our hotel - The Maui Sheraton. We were a bit disappointed in the hotel room - we had a magnificent view but the room itself was not as good as the Outrigger Reef on the Beach.
Venturing from the room, we found the poolside bar and settled down for a beer and a hotdog. The prices were high - we discovered that Maui is expensive!
After the nap, we explored the hotel a bit further, only to discover that there was very little going on in the hotel itself. The evening entertainment is very early and things seem to close down shortly after 9.30!
Not impressed, we walked up to Whaler's village and there we found the Hula Grill which became our regular haunt for the duration of our Maui leg of the trip. The food was good, the company and the beer all great. OK so it too closed a bit early, but at least we could have some fish and chips and a few beers and not be rushing to leave at 9.30. We stayed till about 10.30 and headed back for the first night in Maui.
Day 13 - Wednesday 29th April
Despite what we thought about the hotel, we were greeted with the most amazing view from our window. Beautiful blue sea, sky and warm sun. And our wee balcony was a reasonable size.
After a morning of sunning ourselves, we hired a car and travelled to Kahalui, where we lunched at a strange place called the Hideaway (which was). We explored to the north of our resort area up to Napali and found beautiful beaches and glorious views. Lots of places for surfers - paradise.
After going back to the hotel, Maurice did a little business while I went down to the beach and took some photographs of the torch lighting ceremony and cliff dive from black rock. We freshened up and had a wee drink in the room before going back to the Hula Grill for drinks then bed.
Day 14 - Thursday 30th April
At breakfast we were joined by a large collection of local birds who scavenged and chirruped with delight.
We headed on the Road to Hana to the south of Maui - a world famous tour which lived up to the promise and our expectation. Every twist and turn brought a fresh and spectacular view. We drove through mist, rain and sun with the roof of our jeep off and then on again and off once more. It was a wonderful day.
Wine and water were donated by our departing neighbours and we headed to the Hula Grill once again.
We got talking to a young girl at the bar who was an off duty member of staff. Her father also worked there and they lived in Napili - what a place to live and work! I had a gorgeous king (giant) prawn pesto dish that night and we then walked back to the hotel after a great day out.
Day 15 - 1st May
After breakfast we went shopping and sightseeing in Lahaina. We wished we had done more of that as it looked like an interesting town. We had a hot dog in a wee place near the car park and once again were treated to the most fantastic friendly service - from a really low key place. It has amazed and delighted us - but also contrasts with the expected level of service in the UK or is it Scotland or is it Aberdeen in particular?
We had to take the car back to the car hire place so the remainder of the day was spent at the beach in front of the hotel.
We snorkelled all afternoon and swam with the turtles - magical and humbling. The treat of the day was another late whale providing a display right in front of us - repeatedly whacking its tail fin on the surface of the ocean. This went on for about 20 minutes - I rushed to get my camera but of course missed it by the time I came back.
We had to finish the beer and the wine in the fridge at t-time (shame) and then went back to the Hula Grill for the last night in Maui. There we spoke to a woman and her much older spouse at the bar before sitting down in the restaurant section for our meal. Maurice had a steak and I had the prawn dish again. I had a bit too much alcohol that eveing - but still, a great night!
Day 16 - 2nd May
This was a long, long day of travelling!
Going down for breakfast a bit earlier as we had to check out, there was a queue and a waiting time of around 20 minutes! This was no use so we got a take out breakfast instead. Another example of this hotel's strange ways.
The airport in Maui is fantastic - spectacular view and the same people do umpteen jobs. The security guy was sleeping. However, the baggage inspection security people obviously don't have enough to do as they were scrupulous in their scrutiny of the passengers' baggage - parcularly the elderly and infirm with truck loads of medication in tow. Clearly a threat to the mainland of the US.
The steward on board the flight itself was hysterical - a real comedian. He offered his top questions asked of him by passengers - including: What's that white stuff on the water? A: Waves.
We then took our connection from Honolulu to San Francisco before the final (delayed) leg to San Diego.
After a long, long day we finally arrived in San Diego and our hotel at about 1am. It looked a bit run down and the night porter was a bit spooky. Our room was strangely laid out but well equipped with a microwave and small kitchenette.