What I did on vacation, or, A week in paradise
I departed Auckland Saturday 4 October, flying Air New Zealand, arriving in Honolulu Friday 3 October at 10:30pm.
Friday
After getting settled in to my hotel room I hit the clubs. Angles first, followed by Fusion. What is it with Americans wanting to take my shirt off in nightclubs?Saturday
After waking up at 7:30am I walked from my hotel to Diamond Head Crater, stopping to grab a coffee from Starbucks on the way. There were a lot of tourists hiking the crater, so I can see why it is recommended to go early. It was quite a hike but the views are worth it.On the way back I browsed a farmers market, and a roadside art display featuring the work of several artists. There was one I liked, by a couple of artists I can't fully recall the names. The uri was something like jac and someone. I couldn't justify buying art on this trip, and travelling with it was out of the question.
I called in at Hulas for a beer after getting back to the hotel and found they have a weekly catamaran ride for which I signed up for. It was great.
That night, at Queen's Surf Beach was a City and County of Honolulu promotion, Waikiki Sunset on the Beach, with a stage and movie screen showing Holes. Some restaurants had stalls set up offering selections from their, apparently, regular menus.
Sunday
I wandered along Waikiki, stopping for breakfast of pancakes at Cheeseburger in Paradise. After checking out of the hotel the taxi to take me to the airport was a limo. Security at the airport was a nightmare, but finally I got through. Eventually met Jon at gate 59 where we were to board our Hawaiian Airlines flight to Maui.On Maui Jon sorted out the final details of the condo in Kihei, including getting the keys. Phil arrived not long after we were at the condo.
Monday
Walked along the beach by the condo, then to Lahaina for lunch and a bit of shopping. Lunch was at the original Cheeseburger in Paradise. I tried a Lahaina Sunburn then had a Kona Longboard Lager.Ricky and Paul arrived, having had a few days on one of the other islands of Hawai'i.
Tuesday
I woke up at 2am in preparation of the sunrise bike ride down Mt Haleakala. Friends who did this recommended "Pops" as the best guide. I second their recomendation. Pops remembered Mark and Karla when I mentioned Hogan.After being returned to the condo it was off to the Little Beach with Phil. We were interupted by a small herd of ten or so spotted deer galloping across the road. The driver of the garbage truck in front of us slammed on his braked so hard the tires were smoking. The deer were so close to him I was certain that one or two would have been hit but no, they were all fine.
At Little Beach we met up with the other guys and I learnt the basics of bodysurfing.
Dinner at Antonio's where we all ordered spagetti and meatballs. An excellent meal.
Wednesday
A relaxing day, lunch and shopping in Lahaina.After returning to Kihei it was off to the beach, Little Beach again, for some more bodysurfing (no, not that kind).
Dinner was at Roy's. The food was delicious and the wait staff were very attentive, though I'd like to have more than one or two sips of my water before it was refilled. It was as if they were watching us the whole time.
Thursday
Phil and I too the Road to Hana. I took lots of photos, as usual. There were lots of tourists doing the same, but as the stops near waterfalls were frequent we didn't feel we had much traffic. After we got to Hana we continued around the back of Mt Haleakala.Dinner at Bada Bing was great. I highly recommend it, especially Mercedes who served us.
Friday
My final visit to Little Beach. Met a couple of LA guys who love it there, and promised to show me the good side of LA when I visit next.After a quick shower and a final pack I was off to Kahului airport for the quick jump to Honolulu then back to New Zealand. I was able to check my bag all the way through to Auckland, but still needed to get a boarding pass from the Air New Zealand check-in desk in Honolulu. The desk was outside the secure area so I had the fun of going through security once again. The plane was delayed one hour forty minutes and we ended up being the only passengers left at the airport, finally departing about 1:45am Saturday morning.
Leaving Maui was difficult, but I know that one day I will return.
