Arrived Big Island, no problems

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

Yes, it sounds to me too that Avery is enjoying her trip. Are your sons too and your DH? I hope so.

I know you are OK but what about the Turtle? I hope he wasn't injured either. I was thinking about that last night.

Your week is almost finished and then on your way to Maui. I hope you will like it just as much. Love to hear your daily reports, especially about your experience to Hana. They must love that! Take lot's of pictures.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Emmy, the turtle was fine, no worries!! I think they are very tolerant of us humans encroaching on their beautiful bay. There was a pod of dolphin in the bay all afternoon, too, though we didn't swim out to them.. seemed they had enough company, though they didn't seem to mind it. I saw three of them jump up and spin, clearing the water by 6 to 10 feet.

Today we are on Maui. I feel a little like we've gone from Big Island to Long Island, but I think if we navigate properly we can avoid some of the crowds. The traffic from the airport to Kihei was so slow (but no honking. Our ground floor unit at the Maui Banyan facing the road smelled like old wet water shoes so we moved to the Embassy Ka'anapali a bit early. Our suite is beautiful, newly renovated. We saw a spectacular sunset from the beach here. I did take pics and will post them when I get back, if the photo server is back My boys love it here, they spent the evening in the pool, ditched us for dinner, it's all good!! They really loved Big Island, especially the 'off road' adventures we took and the great snorkeling.

Btw, renting a car from Alamo at OGG was really bad, NOT worth the savings imho...

Aloha, more tomorrow. Maybe I shoud start a Maui thread...

Tomorrow I promised to plan nothing (everyone is a bit 'adventured out'),

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

Emmy, the turtle was fine, no worries!! I think they are very tolerant of us humans encroaching on their beautiful bay. There was a pod of dolphin in the bay all afternoon, too, though we didn't swim out to them.. seemed they had enough company, though they didn't seem to mind it. I saw three of them jump up and spin, clearing the water by 6 to 10 feet.

Today we are on Maui. I feel a little like we've gone from Big Island to Long Island, but I think if we navigate properly we can avoid some of the crowds. The traffic from the airport to Kihei was so slow (but no honking. Our ground floor unit at the Maui Banyan facing the road smelled like old wet water shoes so we moved to the Embassy Ka'anapali a bit early. Our suite is beautiful, newly renovated. We saw a spectacular sunset from the beach here. I did take pics and will post them when I get back, if the photo server is back My boys love it here, they spent the evening in the pool, ditched us for dinner, it's all good!! They really loved Big Island, especially the 'off road' adventures we took and the great snorkeling.

Btw, renting a car from Alamo at OGG was really bad, NOT worth the savings imho...

Aloha, more tomorrow. Maybe I shoud start a Maui thread...

Tomorrow I promised to plan nothing (everyone is a bit 'adventured out'),

Yes, a Maui thread would be nice but Shaggy also has a section where you can "Share Your Travel Memories" but we will read it wherever you post your daily review or stories.

I am happy for you that you got a nice redecorated Embassy Ka'anapali condo. Do you have a view too? That would be a double treat. I was trying to warn you a little how busy it is getting on Maui but the last time, we spent some time in the up-country and it was so peaceful. You will find a nice hide-away or beach if you read the "Maui Revealed". We drove some of the roads they recommended and you would rather not meet oncoming traffic!

I still feel that the Haleakala crater is very beautiful too with a lot of color in the crater so a big contrast from the lava fields on the Big Island. I am looking forward to your Maui experience.
Have fun!

[Faust Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Faust]

Avery,

We will be at the Embassy Ka'anapali on Maui next month. How do you like the Embassy? What do you think our chances are in getting a view of the ocean from the room the Embassy gives us?

Hope you are having a great time in Maui. How is it so far compared to the Big Island?

Have fun on the road to Hana. Don’t forget to post pictures!

[StressCadet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close StressCadet]

Emmy, the turtle was fine, no worries!! I think they are very tolerant of us humans encroaching on their beautiful bay. There was a pod of dolphin in the bay all afternoon, too, though we didn't swim out to them.. seemed they had enough company, though they didn't seem to mind it. I saw three of them jump up and spin, clearing the water by 6 to 10 feet.

Today we are on Maui. I feel a little like we've gone from Big Island to Long Island, but I think if we navigate properly we can avoid some of the crowds. The traffic from the airport to Kihei was so slow (but no honking. Our ground floor unit at the Maui Banyan facing the road smelled like old wet water shoes so we moved to the Embassy Ka'anapali a bit early. Our suite is beautiful, newly renovated. We saw a spectacular sunset from the beach here. I did take pics and will post them when I get back, if the photo server is back My boys love it here, they spent the evening in the pool, ditched us for dinner, it's all good!! They really loved Big Island, especially the 'off road' adventures we took and the great snorkeling.

Btw, renting a car from Alamo at OGG was really bad, NOT worth the savings imho...

Aloha, more tomorrow. Maybe I shoud start a Maui thread...

Tomorrow I promised to plan nothing (everyone is a bit 'adventured out'),

How long did you stay in Kihei? It is busier......but did you do your activities you had planned from that side? Hana, etc? and did you see any of the beaches? I knew your boys would love the Embassy...much more "resorty" What floor are you on? I toured the Embassy on our visit in June and we went up to the 11th floor and I have to be honest-I was a bit dizzy-I like low rise places. I guess if I stayed there-I wouldn't worry about a view-LOL. About Alamo-yes I had a really bad experience with them this time. I have used them 3 times on Maui now and I think I am done. The problem for us is AA's fly/drive packages which are priced very well use Alamo. Alamo on Kauai was great-the Maui portion was not however. I am about ready to just pay the piper. I'm sorry about your place at the Banyan-but look where you are now Loving your periodic reports!

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Ken,

I think your chances for an ocean view are slim, they seem to save those for owners/paying hotel folks/etc... BUT I don't think it matters much since you likely won't spend much time in your room. We are on the 7th floor as far away from the beach as you can get, facing the Safeway below and the mountains out yonder, and it is fine. It is too windy to sit on the skinny balcony, so the small size compared to our lanai on Big Island is immaterial. I would be more inclined to ask for a renovated room (we got one, and it is gorgeous) than I would for an ocean view since you might actually get a renovated room...

The sunset views from the beach/pool/restaurant are gorgeous. The beach here is a little smaller than some other areas, but fine. We only spent one day here (arrival day) for r & r, have been exploring Ka'anapali and Lahaina today and are heading for Hana tomorrow. There is much more of a big hotel feel here than at most traditional t/s we have stayed at, Marriott included.

We haven't explored much of the island yet, but compared to Big Island, Maui seems much more commercial and crowded. The airport area is very congested, and the beaches here have plenty o' people. On the plus side, Ka'anapali Beach is just spectacular despite all the humans (we spent today there near Whaler's Village and Black Rock, also checked out the Westin and Marriott). It is not as 'cool and quiet' here as on Big Island, BUT we have yet to explore the 'upcountry,' Haleakala, and Hana, so this is tbd...

I am very much looking forward to the road to Hana tomorrow, and my powergliding 'surprise' for the boys. It's really no longer a surprise, as they were dismayed at the thought of leaving the resort for another 'sightseeing' trip... when I asked them what they wanted to do today, my 14 year old said 'anarchy.' So we got him a surfing lesson

StressCadet,

We didn't stay in Kihei long enough to do anything, we hightailed it out of the Banyan in time for II to give me a refund. We will head back down that way next week (unless we head to Kauai, an idea I am toying with) as I would like to check out Wailea. The resort itself, btw, seemed fine, but we got stuck in a lousy unit (101) and they wouldn't move us...

Aloha,
Avery

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

avery

I am very much looking forward to the road to Hana tomorrow, and my powergliding 'surprise' for the boys. It's really no longer a surprise, as they were dismayed at the thought of leaving the resort for another 'sightseeing' trip... when I asked them what they wanted to do today, my 14 year old said 'anarchy.' So we got him a surfing lesson

i am really looking fotward to hearing about both the road to hana, and your powergliding adventure...............

[Faust Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Faust]

Recommend you go to Kauai since you're all the way there. The highlight would be the Napali coast especially via helocopter. The drive from Hanalei Bay to Waimea with the side stop to Koloa and Poipu is worth doing. It deserves the name "Garden Isle."

If you get this before you go to Hana, keep going (past Hana) to the Seven Pools.

[StressCadet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close StressCadet]

StressCadet,

We didn't stay in Kihei long enough to do anything, we hightailed it out of the Banyan in time for II to give me a refund. We will head back down that way next week (unless we head to Kauai, an idea I am toying with) as I would like to check out Wailea. The resort itself, btw, seemed fine, but we got stuck in a lousy unit (101) and they wouldn't move us...

Aloha,
Avery

I am all for you visiting Kauai. I thought I loved Maui-I own there-but this summer we visited Kauai.....and don't tell Maui but I think Kauai is my new favorite. I have yet to visit the BI-but Kauai just speaks to me about what Hawaii should be. We rented a private condo on the Northshore and then split the time at the Marriott Waiohai-think that might have something to do with it? My avatar is my feet in the sand at Anini Beach on Kauai. Beautiful, peaceful beach. Whatever you decide-have a great time!

Aloha,
Tracy

[Sandcrab Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sandcrab]

Hi Avery.....I'm really glad to hear that you got all the way to Hawaii with no problems. I was thinking about you, and hoping things would go smoothly.

I have to say that I am thoroughly impressed that you are able to manage a 3 week trip with just carry-on luggage. I find that difficult to accomplish when I do a weekend getaway......You'll have to give me your secrets....

You're taking pics....that's great. I can't wait to see them. Stay safe, have fun, and keep us posted.

Aloha........

Avery,

So happy I'm not traveling with you with your scant supply of essentials. Was in military for 34 yrs and can't imagine how offensive you are but that's between you and your maker.

Would love report on "big island", will be going there in Nov 2008.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Recommend you go to Kauai since you're all the way there. The highlight would be the Napali coast especially via helocopter. The drive from Hanalei Bay to Waimea with the side stop to Koloa and Poipu is worth doing. It deserves the name "Garden Isle."

If you get this before you go to Hana, keep going (past Hana) to the Seven Pools.

Hi Avery just got back from vacation myself and saw this thread just now. I agree with Ken Napali coast is great in Kauai but I would rather go by speed raft as you fly over the waves.

Since right now you are near Kona there are a few coffee tours you can get for free. It is interesting and educational. Also Snorkeling on Cook Island is different.

[Faust Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Faust]

Since right now you are near Kona there are a few coffee tours you can get for free. It is interesting and educational. .

We will be on Maui next month, which free coffee tours are the best ones to go on?

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

We will be on Maui next month, which free coffee tours are the best ones to go on?

Take the plane to Kona, I believe we had done Green-wells coffee plantaion. That take you through the entire process and then You sample the different coffee blends. If you go to Kauai and I am sure you will go to the Guava Plantation near the Pahio resorts.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

We will be on Maui next month, which free coffee tours are the best ones to go on?

Ken,

The coffee tours are on Big Island, if there are any on Maui we haven't seen them.

To those who recommended Kauai, I now have Marriott Waihoia on hold, need to figure out transport, I can't get a flight back to Maui in time to make our plane our Thursday so we'd only get to stay on Kauai 4 nights and return to Maui Wednesday. Worth it? Frank, what is the high speed boat you mentioned? We will be tapped out for big $$ trips like helicopter, etc. so will likely need to drive around and kids will want to hang out at hotel at least a day or two.

Frank, we snorkeled at Captain Cook, it was great. We also had an equally good (and injury free) snorkel day at Honaunau Bay (near Place of Refuge).

The trip to Hana was amazing, I will try to make a separate post with some tips. The hang gliding was exceptional, everyone loved it (even me).

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Avery,

So happy I'm not traveling with you with your scant supply of essentials. Was in military for 34 yrs and can't imagine how offensive you are but that's between you and your maker.

Would love report on "big island", will be going there in Nov 2008.

We LOVED Big Island, especially Kona area. I would be happy to answer any questions, etc. If you would like some adventure, rent a 4wd, and if you can manage a Wrangler, you will be able to take advantage of the extra height that our standard Laredo could've used (but the Wrangler is too small if more than two of you, no room for bags w/4 people). Get Big Island Revealed, it was awesome.