November 28, 2012
We had two great flights to Maui. The purser on the second flight from Dallas to Maui was very generous and helped to increase our inventory of airline liquor bottles to twenty-four. That should last our stay.
Liquor supplied by American Airlines
Our hotel upgraded us to an apartment with a great view of the Pacific. Exhausted after the flights and time change, we retired early.
November 29, 2012
We took the bus into Lahaina and were amazed at the number of cruise ship tourists. It was one of the nicest cruise ports I have ever seen. We had our first of many mahi mahi sandwiches. We walked the small fishing village and selected a snorkeling tour for tomorrow.
For dinner we went to Whalers Mall and watched the sun set over Lanai Island and had more mahi mahi.
November 30, 2012
The alarm went off at 5:15 am so we could catch three buses to the departure point for our snorkeling adventure.
On our way to Molokini Island, we were luckly to sight a whale off to the side of the ship. The captain took a detour so we could get some good shots.
The alarm went off at 5:15 am so we could catch three buses to the departure point for our snorkeling adventure.
On our way to Molokini Island, we were luckly to sight a whale off to the side of the ship. The captain took a detour so we could get some good shots.
This is for my friend Julie and my other blonde readers.
This is the actual whale we saw
The snorkeling was just as exciting and pretty as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Hundreds of fish and coral.
Our next stop was a reef off of Lanai. We enjoyed a nice bar-b-que lunch on board. The second stop was just as pretty as the first with many large schools of fish. On our way home we saw another whale, many dolphins and large sea turtles. It was a long but exciting day.
Our next stop was a reef off of Lanai. We enjoyed a nice bar-b-que lunch on board. The second stop was just as pretty as the first with many large schools of fish. On our way home we saw another whale, many dolphins and large sea turtles. It was a long but exciting day.
At the first snorkeling stop - Molokini
One of many dolphins
One of many sea turtles
December 1, 2012
Eric went scuba diving and I slept. I relaxed in the morning before we transferred to the Pioneer Inn and the start of our Alyson Adventure Tour. But first we had to pay for our free snorkeling tour by sitting through a two hour time share presentation. I'm so good at saying no. In the evening we met the group for drinks before our two hour dinner cruise.
Sunset on the dinner cruise
The cycling started today and it wasn't long before we started the uphill climbs. Yes we did coast downhill, but every time you go down you will have another uphill challenge. We ended the day at the beach for a refreshing swim in a secluded bay.
The opening dinner was amazing at the Lahaina Grill, where I had the best mahi mahi ever. The chocolate desert was amazing too.
Bananas - I at some even though I hate them
December 3, 2012
The alarm went off at some ungodly hour for our predawn departure to Lanai. This was where Dole grew their pineapples before destroying the land and finding cheaper labor elsewhere.
We rode into Lanai City and then had an amazing six mile downhill ride to the beach. You guessed it, the next ride was a grueling six mile climb to where we started. This was probably my second most difficult climb after the one in the Andes.
Following our picnic lunch we then had another amazingly fast ride to the other side of the island. This time the truck took us back up the hill and off to the beach for some more swimming and cold Hawaiian beer.
We ferried back to Lahaina and had dinner at the hotel, this time some nice ahi tuna.
These signs were everywhere on Lanai. They pay about 10 times what we do for electricity. You would think that they would want cheaper electricity.
Directions to many places I've been to
The only pineapple plant I saw on the trip
An interesting artificial barrier
No, I am not Canadian, yet someone played the Canadian National Anthem when they passed me.
With Eric and our cute straight guide
Plumeria flowers used in leis. And I never got one.
December 4, 2012
Rest and relaxation today, since there was only an optional ride in the afternoon. We opted out. Instead we went shopping and had amazing hamburgers for lunch.
Our hotel was next to the famous 139 year old Banyan Tree, which covers two acres. We sat there counting the 1000s of myna birds squawking as they returned to the tree at sunset.
In the evening the group went to see Ulanena, which was billed as a Hawaiian Cirque du Soliel show - not. It was entertaining but isn't one I would recommend.
Eric and I had an amazing dinner at Kimo's restaurant. The fresh fish was amazing. But the highlight was the Hula Pie - which we shared, cookie crust, three inches of ice cream, three more of whipped cream topped with chocolate sauce. We compared it with Costco's fresh dipped ice cream bar.
Lahaina's Banyan Tree
December 5, 2012
We had another early departure to Molokai After a two hour ferry ride, we took the van to the start of our waterfall hike. The only part I didn't like was crossing the stream by jumping from rock to rock. On the way home I took my shoes off and waded through the water. We then cycled along the southern side of the island. The first five miles were downhill with the next 18 flat. We stayed at the Molokai Hotel, the only hotel in Molokai.
December 6, 2012
Today was very interesting. We were going to visit the former leper colony. To get there we had to hike 3.2 miles down this windy path with 26 switchbacks along the way. And we couldn't daddle, because we had to stay ahead of the mules and their droppings.
We rode in a yellow school bus, sometimes stopping every fifty feet. There are still 17 survivors of Hanson's disease (leprosy). Thousands died of the disease. Very few of the original buildings were still standing.
Following the tour was our hike back up. Eric counted 4700 steps to reach an altitude of 2300 feet. It actually was easier and quicker to climb.
We then stopped at a macadamia nut farm where we got to eat and crack raw nuts. The highlight of the day was the 25 minute flight back to Maui on an eleven seater plane. We saw our biking trails from the air. I also saw lots of whales.
View before hiking down
Walking down
Staying ahead of the mules
The beach at the bottom of the hill
Our tour bus
Macadamia nuts on the tree
Our plane back to Maui
December 7, 2012
Today's cycling adventure started with a six mile climb, challenging but not nearly as bad as the other day in Lanai. After that the rest of the ride was downhill.
We stopped for lunch at the winery where we tasted pineapple wine. It was quite good and refreshing.
We then cycled down to Paia on the coast where we relaxed on the beautiful beach.
Strange plants alone the way
My bike for the week
A beautiful sunset
December 8, 2012
This was our last day of cycling and we had an early start on the Road to Hana. It was a beautiful windy up and down hill ride, probably the prettiest of the trip. There were over 600 turns. The landscape was lush and green, unlike most of the island.
We took the van part of the way to avoid the hilliest and most dangerous sections. The final ride was mostly downhill and I added some extra miles by missing the turn to the beach.
We then road to the sacred seven pools, where some of our group swam in the freezing water. The ride home was partially on a dirt road, winding up and down the steep cliffs. We survived and rewarded ourselves to some cold beers.
We had this amazing rainbow follow us for the next ten miles or so, so appropriate for the end of a gay cycling tour.
We were treated to a nice Moroccan closing dinner. Tomorrow its back to work - well for most of the group. Eric and I still have two more days in paradise.
On the Road to Hana
The survivors of the 2012 Alyson Hawaiian Adventure
The perfect rainbow to end our tour
Followed by an awesome sunset
The end of the tour
After saying our farewells and alohas, we went to our beach side villa in Paia. Time to relax and let our overworked muscles recover.
The trade-winds were at our backs during our walk, which made our return journey more difficult. It probably would have been much harder on the bikes.
For dinner we went to Mama's Fish House, one of the best restaurants on the island. The fish and drinks were excellent, probably one of the most expensive meals we've ever had.
After our mile and a half walk back to our cabin, we called it a night.
Dinner at Mama's Fish House
December 10, 2012
For our next to last day in Hawaii we had nothing planned. After a very healthy breakfast of chocolate chip espresso bread with whipped cream (it does include most of the "new" healthy food groups) we ventured to the beautiful sea. The surf boards were just waiting for us to paddle out and ride the waves.
What to do when you don't have a corkscrew. The wine was warm so we put it in the freezer last night. Then we forgot about it. Today the wine was frozen and the cork was magically removed. Luckily the glass wasn't broken. We enjoyed the pineapple wine before lunch.
We spent a lazy afternoon in our hotel room. The trade-winds were too strong to remain on the beach.
Maybe I'll try surfing next time
December 11, 2012
Time for another amazing adventure to end. We will definitely return to Hawaii.
Our flight to Dallas was a red eye, so we slept most of the night. It was nice to get home and sleep in my own bed.
