index maui
Chico airport:
We got on a small dual prop plane in the darkness of night. The weather was freezing and overcast.
Rain is forecast here in Chico for the duration of our trip to maui.
That is fine with me. I could care less. We are out of here.
Arriving over San Francisco, I see the moon and the hint of dawn breaking. You
can see the engine cowling and the swirl of a white tipped prop blade.
The moon is not too clear through the window. It is a double layer of plastic.
And it vibrates. So you must not let the camera touch any thing that moves.
I needed to warm up the camera and practice on something before arriving in Maui anyway.
Just could not wait any longer.
But we have a layover in SF before heading to Maui.
Guess that will be OK. I have no choice...
This is a Boeing 777: Two seats on the left, five across the middle, and two seats on the right.
I get air sick if I don't have a window seat. I have it, and have had no trouble.
At four or five hundred miles an hour the air noise is relentless and aggravating.
The 777 has the longest wing that I have ever seen!
It is way out there.
Arriving in Maui from the East, then a maneuvering bank to the south, then a bank to the west,
and finally a bank to the north as the runway comes into view on final approach.
Can't wait to get off this thing.
In case you did not know: That is paradise down there...
Maui Terminal
Notice the carpet floor.
Notice the plumaria smell.
Notice the free spirit.
You can suck in gobs of clean air. (There are 2000 miles of clean ocean all around.
And you can immediatly feel and smell this fact.)
WorldMark resort located in Kihei:
Here is where we are staying. We have a time share here.
I bought this for my wife. I came from a poor family and would have NEVER have
bought this except for one reason: Now my wife gets to have something
nice, that with my history, I would not normally choose.
Economically, a time share is not
a bargain. But the niceness and convenience lends itself to what she deserves.
Before I bought this I was looking for $50 a night motels.
And, as a consequence, I was also looking for cockroaches.
Now Worldmark gives us a beautiful place free for one week a year with no worries, and yet a
touch of personal
catering.
Here is a couple of views from our balcony at Worldmark.
That sun is only at the exact center of that palm only one day out of the whole year.
At least that is the way it worked for the stone masons of the Druids and the Egyptians
with their stonehenge and pyramids.
Here is a canoe race from our balcony.
So many people like single and dual seat kayaks.
And wind surfing and parasailing are real popular, and can be seen from our balcony too.
Pool at WorldMark.
I don't plug anything about anybody unless it is true.
But for the best sauerkraut hotdogs or chili hotdogs or custom banana splits go to Peggy Sue's.
Also Peggy Sue's has excellent mahi mahi that far exceeds its price.
Peggy Sue's is the best quality and economy on the intire island.
Also the music is great. And you can select your favorite oldies from your table - Jukebox style.
The girls are pretty too, but you did not hear me mention it.
...Located in Kihei.
For the best chicken salad sandwiches, get the one with curry sauce at Stella Blues.
We never get tired of this sandwich every time we come to Maui.
Here is Longs with Haleakala in the background. Notice the clouds are lower than the ten-thousand-plus
elevation of the volcano. Wait to go up on Haleakala when the volcano is ringed by clouds, which is
most days. You will climb through thick moist fog. Feels extra good in a convertable!
The sun will be shinning on top, but you will appreciate a jacket.
Looking down unto the valley...
The Lavender farms are just below. The west side ocean on the left.
The east side ocean on the right. The air is filled with smoke from another volcano. It burns
my eyes and fills my sinuses. It burns my wifes eyes too, but her sinuses are ok.
The haze makes for unclear pictures unlike other trips to Maui.
...Still paradise!
Hyatt:
Not everything is expensive at the Hyatt. I bought a gold chain with pendant for $20 here.
The luau, however, is a little pricey: about $180 per couple.
Hyatt:
Beautiful costumes...
You will not look any younger, but you will feel like it.
Maui will rejuvenate you in many ways.
Lights decorating the grounds of the Grand Wailea .
MaiPoina Beach:
Linda and I at the beach.
Ma'alaea Bay on the right.
Lahaina and Kaanapali on the left.
Kula Botanical Gardens:
This bird is semi enclosed, and obviously very tame.
I do not know what it is.
To see this bird in person, Go to the far end of the gardens. It should be roaming there.
You must go to the Kula Botanical Gardens.
It is not just the beauty of one place, like the Kula Botanical Gardens - This INTIRE Island is magical.
Maui Tropical Plantation:
Always go the to plantation. There we rode the tram again. The price is about $15.
There, a small girl will show you how to crack a coconut with a big rock.
We actually drank the "milk" of the coconut.
You can see dozens of trees like coffee trees, and mangoes; Too many to mention.
Also go to Iao Valley. The only difference is that Iao is a higher elevation.
It was about 82 degrees every day in the valley.
But at Iao valley it was about 76 degrees with sometimes mist or fog. Very pleasant!
Both are full of native plants.
Also go to the Enchanting Flower Gardens for all kinds of Pacific Island plants.
HOOKIPA Beach:
Last time I was here there was only a few cars. This year there are dozens.
Girls abound, not that I noticed.
PAIA:
All the older cars have smashed in bumpers, dented finders and doors. You will see lots of pickup trucks with
backs full of brown riders. Everybody haves fun without trying and despite their best efforts.
It is natural here. Maui is a cilled-out island, and will convert even tourists.
No one will honk at you if you stop in the middle of the intersection while you get the lay of the land.
It is standard procedure and it does not matter what color the light is. Just chill out.
180 ft high power windmills:
I have been coming to Maui before Maui made a serious effort to go green.
I remember when these windmills were not here. I respectfully suggest that the locals don't understand that some technology
is as green and natural as palm leaves. Maui could be the first state in the nation to be totally
green and self sufficient in water and power. Green does not mean stagnation and poverty.
I have shown twenty windmills. But there will be two more banks and three times this amount soon.
Maui is rich in wind and solar, and poor in water.
