Off to Maui tomorrow!!

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

for a much needed break!

We're at the Kaanapali Beach Club for a week and then to the Kona Hawaiian Village for another week. I'll take pictures of the units and make a do up a review.

I'll try and make a point of checking out the local timeshares in each of the areas to see where we want to go in the future. Do all the places now require both you and DSO to attend TS presentations (if you want to get some freebies)? I don't mind sitting in on one now that I know what I'm doing, however DW will have no part in it. Does that mean no freebies? What if I say I'm not married?

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Gordon I am very jealous! Enjoy your trip, take plenty of pictures and come home to tell us stories!

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

I 2nd what Lawren said. Pics and tales!! shaggy

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

Have a great trip!

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

The KBC did require both me and my husband to attend.. most of the presentations that I have been to require both. Even before we got married, because we lived together, they wanted us both there...

We enjoy learning more about the different timeshares and the programs etc, so we are OK with going..

KBC gives you the freebies before the presentation though!!!

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

Gord, if you don't want the freebies, you can get a "quickie" tour and skip the heavy pitch at most places, sans spouse. If you want to do the whole magilla, you can say you're not married, but if they have any registration or other info that says otherwise, they will give you a hard time.

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

Checked in and are staying in an ocean view room

We got in yesterday in evening and like the place. We missed the big crowds that were checking in today. Went to the orientation breakfast this morning where they tell you acout Maui and pitch all the tours you can book through them.

There are a lot of TS presentations happening. It seems every time we came down the elevator they were hard at work with all the little groups separated out in the lobby area trying to close a sale.

Initial comments are the staff are quite nice and helpful. We've asked for directions to various places a couple times and have gotten good service. Nice pool area. We were out for a walk this morning and was surprised to see the covered loung chairs facing the ocean weren't even taken yet. I guess I'm used to Mexico on that front of not expecting to get one when you come down at 9:00.

The room is a nice size. The bathroom is their centrepiece with the two sinks, jacuzzi tub and huge size. The king bed is very comfy. The kitchen is definitely smaller, with counter space a premium. We were able to get the rice cooker and electric skillet. We did stop at the Costco in Kahalui before coming this way to pick up the bulk of our groceries. We were advised to do so and definitely agree with that advice.

For never having been to Maui before, my initial comments is it feels like Mexico with the volume of people trying to hawk a TS presentation on you. Especially in Lahaina; even when we were trying to rent a surfboard for the week, we got hit on at the surf shop by the guy behind the counter! Wasn't expecting it and really not impressed with that aspect of things.

Will report back in later as we explore more. I was able to get a midsize SUV rental from Alamo for $158 + taxes for the week. Used either carrentals.com or Costco website a few months back and haven't been able find anything to match it.

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

Gord, if you don't want the freebies, you can get a "quickie" tour and skip the heavy pitch at most places, sans spouse. If you want to do the whole magilla, you can say you're not married, but if they have any registration or other info that says otherwise, they will give you a hard time.

DW will not go on a presentation but I may give this a try. Neither of us wear our rings when we're doing active stuff so we'll see what we see I might try to take a quick tour if she's our surfing.

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

Gordon, enjoy your stay in Maui. How is the beach and snorkeling and surfing? There is a lot to see in Maui besides timeshares.

The staff was very friendly and helpful at this resort and I found the unit very nice and spacious. We also had an ocean view so were pleasantly surprised but we weren't around to enjoy it. What timeshare resorts are you planning to visit?

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

Hope you are having a great time, enjoy where you are and take lots of pics so that we can all see what we are missing. Let us know about Kona, that is our home resort in Wyndham but we have never been there yet!!
Again, enjoy!!

[Sydney Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close Sydney]

I was able to get a midsize SUV rental from Alamo for $158 + taxes for the week. Used either carrentals.com or Costco website a few months back and haven't been able find anything to match it.

Wow! That's a great price for a rental. Hope you'll have a wonderful time despite the timeshare hawkers.

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

Enjoy!!!! Looking forward to your pics.

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

I don't have my cord to connect the camera to the laptop but today was whales day!!

We were fortunate to run into a pod of 6 whales, 5 males and one female. As you know, it is mating season so the 5 males were fighting with each other to have the pleasure of mating! She was being a flirt and leading on the boys. There were three full breaches and numerous tail slaps and butting of each other. One even had blood on him. Just like a female to lead on 5 guys

All in all, it was an excellent day!

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

Wow. Sounds amazing. Looking forward to seeing your pictures!

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

Sounds great! I envy you, and whale watching is one of the best things about this time of year in Hawaii! Enjoy! We look forward to seeing your pics and hearing your reviews!