Day 5 Warren and Annabelle's

Hi Everyone!  Sorry for the lapse in days but my computer decided to act up a bit and wouldn't load my folders with the pix from our Maui trip.  I fiddled with it for the entire day and it's still not right but I have it working for now, so on we go!

On Friday we had a leisurely morning.  We had not had a chance to go to the Honokowai Farmer's Market right up the street, so that was first on the agenda.  I had purchased bagels at Costco, but had yet to try the lilikoi cream cheese that everyone raved about from the Farmer's Market.  

Putting away Farmer's Market Goodies

This is a really nice little Farmer's Market.  I could not resist the strawberry papayas, with squeezes of lime, they are one of my favorite treats!  I found the lilikoi cream cheese and a sun dried tomato cream cheese for the bagels, salsa, avocado and fresh chips, some cheddar cheese, apple bananas, cookies and a loaf of chocolate chip banana bread for Walt!  

I couldn't wait to try to lilikoi cream cheese, and papaya, and since we had not had breakfast yet, home I went as fast as my little feet would take me! 
Yummo!! Everyone was right, that cream cheese was to die for!  

Chillaxin

Does he look happy or what??

Satisfied from our breakfast we decided to go lay out by the pool for a while and did just that. We had a really lazy day and just lounged around til about 3.  It felt really good.  

















We were treated today to a beautiful rainbow.  We have seen several rainbows already, but none quite as full as this one!

Without rain, there will be none of these!

I had purchased tickets for Warren and Annabelle's Magic Show for Walt for his birthday which is on Saturday.  He loves magic.  I have given him tickets for David Copperfield and Lance Burton in Las Vegas previously and he really enjoyed the shows.  Warren's show comes very highly recommended on TA so we were excited to see it.  

We got to the theater around 4:30.  We waited with several other people in the upstairs waiting area until we were checked in and then divided into small groups to enter the dining area. This show usually sells out they said and I believe that to be true, we had a full auditorium for the show.  You have a choice of the 5pm showing or the 7:30 pm showing.  We went to the first show.  The entire experience is about 4 hours and it does go by very quickly!

Warren's Theater

Do be aware that you must have your ID with you. They will check your ID even if you are 80 years old.  They said the reason they have to do that is because they are classified as a "night club" and that is the law in Hawaii. 

Entering the dining area is a fun experience.  You have to listen very carefully to clues to get out of the elevator.  One person is given the key to get the group out and I'm not sure what happens if you don't find the key holes, but that is all I will say on that.  I don't want to ruin the fun!

We had opted for the Royal Flush Package instead of going out to dinner that night.  It included the performance, 2 drinks, gratuity, and an appetizer sampler and dessert.  The sampler platter was good, it included spicy crab cake with chili plum sauce, coconut battered shrimp with a ponzu sauce, polynesian chicken satay with pineapple and tropical plum sauce, and a tropical kalua pork wrap with pineapple and mango salsa rolled in a sundried tomato basil wrap. It was all served on a bed of Kula Greens.  The dessert choices were key lime pie, creme brulee, apple pie, white chocolate raspberry cheesecake, chocolate pots de creme, and classic New York style cheesecake. 

We all enjoyed the appetizer platters.  Everything was served to us by very attentive waiters in a nicely appointed old style lounge type setting.  Walt and mom had key lime pie and I had the white chocolate raspberry cheesecake.  They were all yummy but I could not finish my dessert, it was a lot of food. 

After dinner we we entertained by Annabelle who plays the piano and even does requests.  If you request something she doesn't know, however, you will have to sing a few bars of the song.  It was all in great fun.

When the time came to enter the auditorium we were all escorted and seated. It is chilly in there, so heed their recommendations and bring a sweater or light wrap if you get cold easily.

We were seated in the 2nd row, but there is really no bad seat in the house that I could see.  After everyone was seated there was a short pause and then Warren enters the auditorium and the fun begins.  He is a comedian and magician all in one!  He loves to poke fun at people but it is a very "clean show" and very entertaining.  They said you were allowed to take pictures or video in the show, which I was surprised about, but he kept us so engaged that I only took one picture, I am sorry to say.  I did take a small video, but I think it best that I let you go and see the show yourself.  I don't want to give away any secrets.  All I can say is it was wonderful and I would do it again. Walt was thoroughly pleased with his birthday gift this year, as well!

Warren doing his magic!

One more thing..........if he asks you for a hundred dollar bill, go ahead and give it to him!

















After the enjoyable evening, we headed back home to relax and try to figure out  "HOW DID HE DO THIS OR THAT TRICK!!"  We are still scratching our heads.  


Good bye for now my friends and family.  In case I don't get Day 6 done before Thanksgiving,  may all of you have a Blessed and Thankful Day tomorrow, hopefully with all of your loved ones!  I have my mama and family with me this year, I am a happy and blessed camper for sure!  




Aloha
Cin

Day 4---Halloween in Lahaina

Hi Friends and Fam!

Well, that spooky, special, crazy day is upon us today, Halloween 2013.  I have been told it is often called "The Mardi Gras of the Pacific" and has seen up to 30,000 people various years.   When we knew we were coming to Maui this year and the approximate time frame, we decided that as long as we were here,  we had better try the Halloween in Lahaina Party.  I have always wanted to do this and what better time than now!

Mama, Walt and I had decided that we would at least get masks so we purchased those Mardi Gras type half masks online several months prior to leaving.  I, however, wanted to step it up a bit but I really didn't want a whole costume...it's hot in Maui and I planned on spending the whole afternoon in Lahaina.  I couldn't see having those " female power surges" happen in full costume and trying to stay sane or clothed.  I also couldn't see my husband having (or wanting??) to bail me out of jail for indecent exposure due to the power surges, so a full costume was out for me.   

While browsing a costume website I found this tutu that lights up at night.  It was black with blue flashing lights.  I giggled about it and when Walt saw it, a little proposition was countered.  "I will buy it, if you will wear it" he grinned.  It was more of a dare.  Well I thought about it and hemmed and hawed about it for a little while.  I am kind of quiet and shy at first (but try to shut me up once you get to know me and I you) and very self conscious about my rather short, rounded in the middle body.  What a stretch for me to wear a tutu in front of thousands of people.  My only rationalization was.....no one knows me there and it might be fun. Hmm......maybe this would be a proposition I could accept.  I will have on a mask after all, I say to myself. Before I could talk myself out of it, I said, ok.......I accept your offer if you sweeten up the pot a little.  He did, but I'm not telling you what he added for reward :-)

The day started out like the others, coffee and bagels on the balcony, and then we all decided that we would go out to the pool and lay out in the sun a bit.  I had to get a little color on my ghost white body after spending 2 weeks in Maui, or no one would believe I really went.  

Something had really bitten me up tho, the previous night while sharing wine on the balcony.  I don't know why it is, but every time I come to Hawaii, doesn't matter which island, I end up with bug bites all over my legs.  They must be itty bitty cuz I never see them..does anyone who lives in Maui know what this critter bug is?  In Canada, they have a "no see-um bug", is there such a thing in Hawaii?? I must be allergic to whatever bug it is tho because it itches so badly and I just can't quit scratching them.  I had about 6 big ole red welts on my legs and thought maybe the sun would help dry them up.  I had tried mouthwash, benadryl, and ended up getting some type of cream with cortisone in it that helped a little.

Oh these legs are not going to look so good with shorts and a tutu!  

We all went out and played in the sun for about an hour or two.  The passing clouds brought some rain with it but it was just one of those passing showers that really cool you down, so we didn't mind.

About noon we decided we had better get in and get changed and head into Lahaina.  I knew which parking lots not to use, because we knew we would not stay late that night. Any lot that opened onto Front Street would be closed until after midnight.  With the uneven walkways in Lahaina, big crowds and mama with a mask, it would not be good to stay very long after it got dark.  We found the lot at Hilo Hattie's to be the best one for us every time that we went into Lahaina.  If you purchase something at Hilo Hattie's they will validate your parking ticket for 2 or 3 hours I believe it was, so that was nice, and who can't find something to purchase at Hilo Hattie's?

We stopped at Ululani's for our first shave ice.  This stop was very highly recommended by fellow TA members and I now see why.  It was the best shave ice I have ever had.  I went with a small, which was huge.  If you just want a little one, try the micro I think they called it. The large was humongous, enough to share with 2 or 3.  We had skipped lunch so the small did the trick for me.  They have a punch card that if you purchase, I think it is 9 you get the 10th one free.  That was a no brainer for us, because we had 3 in our party each time,  so it takes no time to earn that free one.

Mama and Me

Off we went to browse several of the shops.  I did a lot of Christmas shopping at Hilo Hattie and a few smaller shops.  After depositing our goodies back in the trunk of the car, we went to find a place to park ourselves to view the keiki parade.  We were starting to see several people sporting their costumes so once we found a nice place to view near a tree on the street near the sea wall, we put on our masks and me the tutu.  

Pretty Peacock

I had a ball taking pix and enjoying the little ones and the adults,  both in their silly, fun and very many unique costumes.  I could see myself getting into this holiday celebration each year if I lived here.    A few costumes were a little risque, but I am sure more of those types came out after dark, hee hee! What a hoot!!!  We visited with a lady everyone was calling grandma and she had lived there for 35 years.  She was nice to converse with.

Mama and "Grandma"

Walt in disguise

Spooky Zombe

Kind of "corny"

Beetle Juice and Love

Bee and Bee

SuperMan and Sailorette

Ummm???

Rainbow Clown

One size does not fit all (coconuts I mean)

Such cute little dice and dots!

Doggy has fun too

Only YOU can prevent forest fires!

Smile!

Mummy and Family

Drink anyone?

Jelly Fishees

Witchy Woman

Miss Butterfly was flitting all over

OOO LA LA She is so sparkly

Hey Ref, that was a baaaad call!

Bride of????

Thank you Rotary and Soroptimists

Mermaids

Cuties!

We saw the tee shirts being sold for this year's celebration, so we all purchased one to help the cause for next year's parade.  It is a great souvenir/keepsake  as well.  

The keiki parade started between 4:30 and 5.  I am going to post several of the pictures I took before, during and after the parade.  I hope that no one takes offence if their picture is on my blog, most of the folks were great with posing and enjoyed being photographed.  

About 6:30 it was getting dark and a lot more people were starting to gather. We decided it was time to go and get some food in our tummy's.  It was nearly impossible to find a place to eat in Lahaina, so we decided rather than wait a long time in line, we would go elsewhere.   

We went to The Sea House for a lovely dinner.  Mama had the crab stuffed prawns, Walt had the porcine mushroom ravioli, and  I had Lawa Pono Pa, which was the chef's special preparation of the fish for that day.   We ate on the patio outside, and even tho it was quite busy and we had no reservations, they were able to accommodate us.  

Yummo at the Sea House

Sea House Dinner

It had been a long, but fun day.  One thing I was disappointed with tho, was that my tutu would not light up in the daylight, so I didn't get to show the flashing blue lights.  Bummer.  Well, Walt had a solution to that too.  

Guess Who??

Happy Halloween!

When we got back to the condo, he said let's do a video so we can see the tutu light up.  I said, ohk.......I had a few glasses of wine at dinner so I went along.  I got the giggles so hard that I got to coughing, and it turned into a silly video, but I promised certain family members and people on TA that I would indeed share this video.  It really is totally out of my comfort zone, but what the heck, I've pretty much bared a lot of myself to you all anyway, you may as well see the goofy side of me too! 

So Joan,  I am sharing this with all, but it is especially for you so you can have one of those belly laughs that I know you can use now and then! Enjoy!!!


https://www.dropbox.com/s/cnv8rxpzos83526/M2U00044.MPG?n=185898849


Oh, by the way.......the camera man was a bit tipsy too I believe...I certainly did not turn that camera sideways for the first few frames...I had enough trouble standing up straight...hee hee


To My Fam and TA friends......I hope you all have a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

Aloha til Day 5!

Cin

Day 3 Road to Hana

Good Morning Family and TA Friends!  Sorry I have been slow on getting this post to you, but work and life sometimes gets in the way of our play and fun plans.  That said, let's get to it!

We got up fairly early for our Day Three. 6am may not be early for some but for us, on vacation, it is usually just not done.   It was the "exciting" (for the people riding in the car) or "dreaded" (for the person actually having to drive) Road to Hana on our agenda for the day.

I loved the Road to Hana when we did it back in 1994 but I didn't have to drive it and we really didn't do it right.  We did very few stops because I didn't have the resources like the computer skills or my great friends on TA to help us plan the way.  We also, did a big boo boo that we were not aware of at the time.    We drove back on the "back side".  It was really a lovely drive but a few spots are definitely not for the rental car we had, so I have to strongly advise, don't do it in your rental car.  Not only is is not allowed in your car rental contract, it could be very expensive if you get stuck back there. Rent a Jeep if you want the full experience and you will be fine.  That said, we thought it was beautiful, got to see a part of Maui that not very many do,  we had no issues with the car, but we did scrape by with about 20 minutes to spare of a big rain storm. Had that happened on that road at that time, we could of been in deep doo doo.  

Soooo, this time I offered to do a escorted trip instead of Walter driving.  He said "no, it was fine, save the money and I don't mind doing it every few years."   Now, remember that was what he said, cuz he changes it up at the end of the day...Hee Hee  But I did opt to do many stops along the way this time so not to have to hit him on the head to uncross his eyes at the end of the day!

We left the condo at 7 and headed to CJ's Deli and Diner.  This is a little gold mine and they advertised their Road to Hana Picnic Lunch, cooler and all, so we thought it the best choice.  Glad we did, because there were not a lot of places on the road open to stop and eat on our way into Hana.

CJ's is located in a little strip type mall called the Fairway Shops.  You can see it right on Honoapiilani Hwy.  The Hana Box Lunch includes your choice from their menu of a sandwich, a bag of chips, a drink, a pineapple boat, mac salad, a Hana Bar, ice, cooler and all the sandwich fixins.  They put all the lettuce, tomato, mayo, pickles etc for your sandwiches in separate plastic wrap so the sandwiches don't get soggy, which was a nice touch.  The cooler has a $7 deposit on it which you get back when you return it.  If you choose to keep the cooler all week, they will give your free ice refills as well.  Walt and I had the tuna sandwich, mama the ham and cheese and we were happy with the meal.  All this for $12 is great!  Walt enjoyed reading the menu and wanted to return for another meal in the future.

Ok, so, we have our picnic lunches and we are on our way.  I had purchased a cd for the ride to point out various highlights on the road but to be honest with you, it was more hassle stopping it and starting it.  I also had printed off from TA's sidebar topics on what to see on the Road to Hana.  We found this easier to deal with.  Alot of the places were not for us, because with an 80 year old, you can't take a chance of hiking some of those paths or trails.

First stop was to be Twin Falls and I guess we didn't get up early enough because the parking lot was packed and we couldn't find a place to park, so opted to check it out on the return.  The traffic was not bad at all but it was difficult to pull over at a lot of the stops, there just isn't enough room or parking.  My mom can't walk very long or far on uneven roads and unfortunately, there were barely any waterfalls to see this time of year right off the highway like I remember from 1994. Hawaii has been near drought stages for some time,  I was told by someone,  and you need lots of rain for lots of waterfalls, right?  I imagine it will be better in the winter season.

We were able to stop by the Painted Eucalyptus Trees.  I had never noticed or heard of these til I started my research on TA prior to this trip.  Thank you for those who posted info about these beauties of nature!  They were awesome to see!

Our next stop was the Keanae Peninsula for Aunty Sandy's Banana Bread and views of the black lava rock against that beautiful blue ocean!  Now I haven't tried anyone else's banana bread except for one I bought at the Farmer's Market in Honokowai, but I liked Aunty Sandy's the best between the two. It was also highly regarded in reviews I found. 

I actually still have a loaf in my freezer at home which I will share with family for Thanksgiving if they are nice.  :-)  

We left Aunty Sandy's happy with our still warm bread and drove to the end of the road to view the black craggy coast of the peninsula.  It was very pretty and dramatic, kind of  reminds me of parts of the Big Island with all it's black volcanic rock.  

 

Haleakala in the Background

Very clear day on the mountain!

Waves are crashing

Life sustains among the lava

Surprise!

Walt and I taking it easy

Small tide pool

Beautiful Rock Formations

Mama made it down, no problem!

Lilikoi Flavor for the 1st bowl

Watch for the sign,  we almost missed it

Our next stop was going to be for a little treat before we stop for lunch, 
a stop at Coconut Glen's Vegan Ice Cream.  OMG......it is absolutely so much better than I had anticipated. It is not heavy and filling like ice cream and you would never know there is no dairy in it, so smooth and tasty! 

When in Hawaii, I love to taste and enjoy all the fruits on the islands, so lilikoi was the first for me.  Mom had coconut and Walt had the chocolate chili flavor.  We all sampled each others and I hate to admit this, BUT, we stopped on the way back to try others!  Glen is starting to make the ice creams also in a new place in Kahului with hopes to be able to start distributing to a larger audience.  We would hope, hope, hope that he is successful so we can get it on the mainland someday.  If not, then all the more reasons to return to Maui, right?

CJ's Lunch and this isn't all of it!

We left Coconut Glen's and our next stop was Wai'anapanapa State Park for some lunch.  

Boy this is a popular place, especially with the tour bus and shuttle companies.  I bet we saw 20 come and go from about 5 different companies while we sat at the picnic table and enjoyed our lunch from CJ's Deli and Diner.  

Yummo!!

The views from this park are wonderful and it was such a nice, relaxing place to enjoy a little lunch, walk and stretch out your legs after being in the car and for Walt to rest his eyes a bit from the road.  

Sea Arch

Trail to the Black Sand Beach is not good for 80 year olds

A Beautiful Spot to Day Dream

After we relaxed for a while it was time to head back on the road.  Next stop..Hana!




























We drove thru Hana at a leisurely pace trying to remember all the  sights and things that we saw on our last trip. 

We drove down by the little Hana Harbor. Lots of people were down there with picnic lunches and little keiki's playing in the sand.  

We decided that it would be better to go all the way to the Pools of Oheo and Lindbergh's grave then stop on our way back thru town.  There was a detour because they were doing something on the main highway, so we followed the signs and made our way back to the main road via the detour.  

Now we remembered why we wanted to take the back road on our last visit to Hana.  This is the part of the Road to Hana that seemed to be the worse with small lanes, tight, twisty turns and little visibility at times and we hated the thought of doing it again on the return!  "We" meaning Walt especially.  He was already getting a headache, poor guy.  

We finally found a really nice waterfall on the road above the Pools of Oheo and pulled over so mama could get that waterfall picture that she wanted so badly.  We had talked about doing the hike of the Pipawai Trail but with wise suggestions from TA friends, we nixed that idea. Walt and I will maybe do that next trip, IF I can get him on the road again.

Mama wanted to go ahead and walk down to where the Pools of Oheo could be best seen.  After consulting with a Park Ranger near the parking lot and visitor center,  we decided we would try it, he said the hike was easy. 


It certainly wasn't a really hard trail, but for mom it was not exactly easy peasy either.

We held her arms thru some of it, and she did fine but die hard that she is, she wanted to go a little further down to the rocks.

We got down there so she could take her pictures, but trying to go back up proved to be more of a challenge.  

Even tho I was hanging on to her arms,  she slipped and went smack down on her behind and I went with her hitting and scuffing up my knee.  We were both ok, but we sure had a couple of big bruises the next day. Those rocks are slippery even when not wet.  My advice to anyone with an elderly person, no matter how spry they are is be VERY CAREFUL.  There is a handrail on part of the trail but once you get on the rocks it is slippery.  Two other elderly women who tried to help us get up, made the comment that it was no trail for elderly, they didn't care what anyone said. 

Pools of Oheo where mama slipped to the right

Kids having fun at Pools of Oheo

Pools of Oheo

Where the pools dump into the ocean

After getting back up to the visitor's center, mama and I sat and Walt walked back to get the car to pick us up.  Mama was getting tired and so was Walt.  I had to really talk sweet and promise that Lindbergh's grave was only a couple miles away and then we would head back.  It was about 3 pm I think by then.

We double checked our directions with the park ranger on the way out and she confirmed that the church where the grave is was only a couple miles down the road and that we made a turn where there was a sign for horse stables to get to it.  We found it with no problem.  The grave is at the Palapala Ho'omau Church that was built in 1857. 

Respect

Pretty Stained Glass

Church where the grave is located

The grounds of the church and graveyard were very serene.  I can understand why someone would like to be layed to rest here.  

Very peaceful, indeed.











It was time to head back.  We had one more stop to make in Hana.  

We wanted to stop by the Hasegawa Store and see if it was still standing and as unique as we found it the first time.  It certainly was and mama found a few cards and a tee shirt, and I got an eco bag.....another for my collection for grocery use back home.

We were going to stop for gas at our pink speedo buddy's station so we could introduce ourselves on the way out of town, but Caddy, you were plum full at each pump with a couple cars and about 4 hogs...not the "oink oink"  kind but the "vroom vroom"  kind.  You had your hands full at the time so I waved on the way out of town and wished you well!  

After one more stop on the road home for another taste of Coconut Glen's ice cream we were ready for that condo, some wine and to finish off that Costco Chicken.  

Remember at the beginning of the story when I said Walt was ohk with driving the Road to Hana?????  Well, by this time of day I said to him "I don't think I will ever ask you to drive this road again, my dear and thank you very much for doing it for mama and me"  He said "And you are right, you will never ask me and I will never drive it again!"  Poor guy was very patient and he's right, next time, if there is ever a desire to see Hana, we will do a tour company and let them do the driving with the cross eyes!

One last thing for this day 3 blog.  We weren't home to view what appeared to be a beautiful sunset, and altho I hate taking pictures from a moving car, I had not one smidgen of nerve to ask "ole cross-eyes" over in the driver's seat to pull over just one more time.  I would probably be laying next to Charles and his 6 gibbons in the grave over in Hana and more than likely it would of been by way of catapulting, not being driven over there!  

I took the following thru the car windows. They didn't turn out perfect but you can see the glorious colors and just close your eyes and imagine just what that sunset looked like in your mind!  I did and it was a beautiful sight!

Aloha my friends!  See you in Day 4......Halloween in Lahaina!