Day 1 - Sunday, December 11:
- Arrive Maui - The flight was uneventful. Craig tried to win a prize for us playing the "Halfway to Hawaii" game that was sponsored by Hilo Hattie. But it was not our lucky day.
- When we arrived at the hotel, the bellman offered to take our luggage. Craig thought it would be better to self-park and carry the luggage ourselves. How romantic!
- Dinner at Sushi restaurant near the Ritz Carlton hotel. So that we could get served more quickly, (and get the early bird special), we shared a table with another couple that just got married a few days earlier on Maui. The woman had the same diamond setting as me - weird!
Day 2 - Monday, December 12:
- What a comfortable bed. Amazing pillows and down comforter! Craig went to work out early and then brought me breakfast in bed - fruit and coffee. How romantic! I accidentally ate all the fruit and Craig wanted me to save some for him!
- We went to Lahaina town and walked around. A little bit touristy. We booked our snorkeling trip through Expedia with Lou Seigel. A Jew from NY! To receive a $100 discount, we signed up to attend a timeshare presentation on Thursday morning. (More details about that to come.)
- A trip to the Star Market grocery store.
- Pool - waterslide, hot-tub
- Dinner at the Marriot Sushi Restaurant - had the drink of the day - strawberry margaritas
Day 3 - Tuesday, December 13:
- Snorkeling trip with Pacific Whale Foundation. The trip made us both a little sea sick, as the water was quite choppy due to the high winds. The crew was quite professional and knowledgeable. They provided muffins, fruit and juice for breakfast, a bar-b-cue lunch (it smelled awful, especially being seasick), and snacks and drinks throughout the entire trip. We snorkeled by Molikini crater, and a dive spot off the Island of Maui. We were supposed to snorkel by Lanai, but the winds and waves were too strong to make the trip. At the end of the trip we went whale watching. We were fortunate enough to witness a pod of whales. Several males chasing after one female. Watching the whales dive up, out of the water was sensational.
- Got pictures taken at the hotel, kept only the free one. It is a really nice picture.
- For dinner we ordered some Mahi fish sandwiches, and ate a romantic dinner on the beach watching the sunset. All was well, until (remember the wind that I talked about earlier), the wind stirred up the sand and it drenched the food. A crunchy fish sandwich.
- After we ate we walked to a neighboring hotel to watch a hula show and listen to some music.
Day 4 - Wednesday, December 14:
- It was an early wake up time - 2:00 a.m. We had to be in town to drive up Haleakala to watch the sunrise. It was freezing cold, but dawn and sunrise were beautiful. We were above the clouds so it is as if we were in heaven. Since we were on an "unguided" tour, we drove down to 10,000 feet and began our bike ride. What an awesome ride. Easy for the most part, because it was all downhill except for two steep climbs. Scary turns, as you reached speeds of 30 mph and had to watch out for the trucks and cars on the road.
- Breakfast at café in cowboy town on the way down volcano. Yummy waffles.
- What would a trip to Hawaii be without surfing? So we ventured out on surf boards. We both stood up. Gail did so on the first try - definitely beginners luck, because she later got whacked on the head with the surf board.
- Dinner at Marriot Sushi Restaurant. Beautiful views, drink special (Kahlua drink this time), and half-price sushi - who could ask for more?!
Day 5 - Thursday, December 15:
- We started the morning at the Fairfield Time Share Presentation. We had one of the worst presenters. We clearly weren't interested, and she dragged it out for over 2 hours! Augh!
- Road to Hana. This is a tough drive, with many one lane bridges. But it is also one of the most scenic drives in the world. We made numerous stops along the way, including a bamboo forest, waterfalls, views of the ocean, and an arboretum.
- On our way back, a few miles away from the airport we stopped to watch surfers at one of the most popular surfing spots. The surfers were amazing. There was also a woman who was a little nutty selling fruits and vegetables from the back of her van. We ate the most delicious pineapple and avocado. She poured on some salts and spice. It was yummy. We were a little nervous eating it, seeing the condition of the woman and her van! Fortunately, we are both here to talk about it.
- Flight to Big Island. We found a $37 flight on Northwest - what a deal!
- When we arrived at the hotel, the bar was till open so we took advantage of our "resort package" which included 2 free drinks a day. We each had a Mai Tai.
Day 6 - Friday, December 16:
- First we went shopping at Waikaloa village for some food and shabbos supplies.
- When we returned to the hotel, Gail took some hula lessons. The lesson further confirmed that Gail has two left feet.
- Next we went to the beach, and snorkeled. The water was a bit murky so we couldn't see a lot. There were many sea turtles swimming right near us, and Craig petted them.
Day 7 - Saturday, December 17:
- We ate an early Shabbos lunch
- Then we walked to the Hilton Resort. It is tremendous. We watched the dolphins do tricks and swim with the children. An amazing animal.
- When we returned to the hotel we sat by the pool and drank smoothies.
- Next we walked across the street and saw a Hula Show in the King Shops.
- We ate dinner at a Sushi restaurant in Kona. It is a real beach town.
- They changed our hotel room to a 5th floor ocean room. (We had been on a first floor cabana which did not provide much privacy or a view.)
Day 8 - Sunday, December 18:
- Another early morning, as we drove all the way to Hilo for our helicopter ride. The ride was not scary, even though the helicopter had no doors, which allowed us to feel the heat from the volcano. Our pilot was quite experienced, and had taught flying down at the University of Illinois in Champaign. (He was missing a couple of fingers- perhaps from the blade of a helicopter?) From the helicopter, we witnessed lave flowing into the ocean, lava flowing down the side of the volcano, and lava erupting from a vent. We also saw a Macadamia nut farm.
- On our way to the national park we made a couple of stops. First at the Maua Loa macadamia nut factory, and then at Volcano post office to deliver post cards. Too bad the postcards did not have the volcano stamp like they were supposed to.
- Volcano National Park
- Saw Kiluaha Caldera & Crater
- Walked through a lava tube
- Walked Kiluaha Iki trail
- Drove to coast to see lava flowing at night
- Saw Buzard family - the same family that we met at the Marriott hotel on Friday. What a small world.
- Tuna Subs and long drive home
- Drinks at the hotel bar
Day 9 - Monday, December 19:
- We started the day at the beach snorkeling. Gail scraped her knee quite badly on some coral. This could leave a lifetime memory of the trip.
- After lunch we went on a horseback ride on a ranch. Gail's horse loved to eat.
- Then we took yet another drive. We stopped at a woodworking shop in Hanuka town, a state park where there had been a devastating Tsunami in 1946, and Akaka Falls.
- We ate dinner at Sushi Rock in Havi. The ride to the restaurant was a bit treacherous. A pitch black, windy road. The sushi was delicious and eclectic. The restaurant was also unique, only a few tables, a couch, a sushi, a bar, and gift shop items.
- When we returned to the hotel we had a round of drinks. Gail had the bartender whip up a Kahlua, chocolate, and banana concoction. Yummy!
Day 10 - Tuesday, December 20:
- Our last day -
- We went to the beach, hoping that the snorkeling conditions had improved. But since they hadn't we didn't venture into the water because of Gail's knee incident the previous day.
- Next we went to the pool and had smoothies at the pool.
- On our way to the airport, we did some last minute shopping at Hilo Hattie's. We also went to the grocery store to buy some pineapples, but decided they were too heavy to lug on the plane.
- The plane ride was uneventful. Gail took some Ambien. We waited 45 minutes for our luggage, but fortunately it wasn't as cold as when we left.
What a FABULOUS Trip!!!!!!!!!!! Click here for photos!