MY "ADVENTURES N HAWAII" - October 2011 TRIP REPORT

[knewton64]

So after a quick pre-arranged cab ride, I finally arrived at the luau and had fun walking around and seeing everything to behold. It was fun seeing the beach, the boats, the people and most importanly - THE FOOD!!



here is a video of what the luau area looks like:





and of course - yours truely having fun:

(The food was fantastic!! yes, I even tried the roasted Pig, salmon, salads, mixed drinks, etc)





ANYWHO -

I slowly made it on over to my matt seating location and - lo and behold, I was seated next to a very nice young lady from Paris Who knew very little English.

Well, I knew very little French.

So mustering up what little French I knew, I ordered my drink in her native language.

** HER EYES LIT UP **

And she gave me the biggest hug and kiss on the cheek!!

I turned beat red but decided to chill out and continue slowly nibbling on my food while watching the show's festivities:

BUT -

later on that evening when it came down to the host's asking us who out there is celebrating birthdays, wedding engagements and what nots, OF COURSE I pointed to her & I.

She turned a pale white -

I turned and whispered "SHHHH" while winking -



She caught on as I stood up (while the tunes of Iz were sloftly playing in the background) with me extending my hand out to her and kindly asking, "OUI?"

Of course she said, Merci and with that, we were off to slow dance (with the rest of the couples) under a 3/4 moon with the stars out and the sounds of the ocean in the background.


** I was loving it ***

**So was she ***


Afterwards, we both sat down and had one incredible evening at the Luau.




MOVING FORWARD



I got in late back at the hotel -


threw open the sliding glass door (leaving the screen pulled to) and allowed the gentle sounds of the rolling ocean cascade into my room.

I jumped immediately in bed with a pocket full of wonderful memories of the luau, HER and a very wonderful island of Maui (I would highly recommend this add on as a wonderful way to meet people, enjoy wonderful food while being surrounded by a very very beautiful atmosphere).



COMING UP:






Having fun on the TRILOGY II catamaran

(me at the helm in 28 knot winds at a 'slow' 8.5 knots w/1/4 of the main up)


** AND LOVIN IT **








- ALOHA -

 

[knewton64]

DAY 7 - Thurs Nov 3rd
Sunny skies w/high of 88 degrees



5:45am hit me pretty hard this morning but I knew with a nice hot shower, it would bound to do the trick in waking me up.


** That & the sights & sounds of the ocean **

Soon, I made it out the door in time for my 6:45 am cab ride to Ma'alaea Harbor and an exilirating time
on board the Trilogy II; moored out by Buzz's Wharf Restaurant.

As I mozied on up to the crew, I asked if they allowed what I condisered Boat shoes of bare feet. They said bare feet please. So off went my shoes and on my my nautical time of my life!


We were served a really scrumptious breakfast; consisting of cinamron rolls, chips and hot sauce (Hey - I was hungry and trying to wake up!!).


So after a 'few" hundred glasses of Coke; it suddenly hit me. And the emotional feeling didn't hit me until we were well beyond the harbor and into much calmer waters:



**DOUBLE CLICK ON THE ABOVE VIDEO & IT WILL PLAY 4 U **

and - it was at that moment
this is where everyone kept on saying to me that I will feel sooooo 'stoked' by going to Hawaii.



Well, I really didnt understand that quite well until we anchored just off of the crater of Molokini:

And that's where I had a total blast playing with the "jetty of doom." Now that being said, it is not very wise to get tooooo close to it cuz it will shoot you right out into and I mean INTO the ocean.

I though was softly playing with it. Meaning going limp and watching the current take me out - but not OUT if ya know what I mean. in another words , I was still well inside the protection of the jetty but I was also getting close to the edge.


And it was there that I encountered a passing Dolphin.


***** TTOOOOOO COOOLLLL!!!!*******


NOW I know what everyone was talking about by feeling the word STOKED. And STOKED I FELT!


ANYWHO -


After about 45 minutes, we all climbed back into the catamaran and headed off to our next destination and for some more snokeling.
But before we arrived at our next stop, lunch was served:

There, it was fun spotting sea turtles and black fish and such; just FYI - DONT TOUCH THE TURTLES!

Later on the the tour, (I believe his name was Jeff) allowed me to operate the boat, which that really made my day!!


So he handed me the reigns of her about an hour from coming back into the Harbor and I tell you what, it's so much different running a 65 foot cat than a 26 foot sailboat!!




that and the winds were very strong but also very flukey!

I started out at 7.8 knots and finished at 8.5 knots when all was said and done.
We got all moored back into the harbor, thanked the crew , then I was off again in a 45 minute cab ride back to the Hyatt hotel for a quick cat nap. The time is about 3:45pm.





TO BE CONTINUED -





- ALOHA -

 

[knewton64]

- CONTINUED FROM EARLIER POST -

(The Cirque Stage)



So, I warned ya didn't I?
'Dis is how I like to vacation -





ANYWHO -


4:45pm came sooner than expected as I leaped outta bed and into a hot shower to get that ocean smell outta there and changed into much better evening clothes.

For it was time to begin the "Goodnight Kiss" portion of my Hawaiian adventure:

1) a Cirque performance.
2) Dinner back at Sonz (Hyatt)


then finish it off with a 4 hour spa retreat the next morning.




So, with my I-pod blaring some Disney tunes in the background, I got quickly dressed and was out that door in no time (Of course I made sure the Ipod got turned off) and on my way to valet for Guest pick up and into an evening little realizing that i would be part of the show.


YES - part of the show.


Had a full shuttle van of guests as we made our way to the open theatre setting. WOW! It sure was nice to have VIP seating as I sat about 5 rows right of center stage.

Now what would a Cirque performance be without some popcorn and a soda??


YUP - ya guessed it. I just had a relax with a few snacks - then the show began and begin it did!!

It was literally right there RIGHT infront of you and was truely a sight to see - front Pepe the Clown to others.

But then, just as I was chillin' with MY popcorn, guess who comes up to me, looks me up and down, then hands me a candle opera like set of bells??


** PEPE THE CLOWN **



OH NO!!! I have been invited to be part of the pre-show festivities!!


** TOO COOL **



So he did this to 4 other guests and together we ringed the outer edge of the stage as he was "attempting" to have all of us ring our bells at the appropriate time as he was attempting to conduct us like a musical conductor would.

it was too funny watching this BLONDE trying to operate the bells once Pepe "asked" her to but always seemed to be 1/2 a step off.

And Pepe let her "have" it for that!


THEN IT WAS MY TURN.


What did I do?? When asked to shake my bells (this was on about the 4th time he came back to me and asked me to ring my bells) I shook theM sooooo hard while stomping up and down (WELL , HE ASKED ME FOR MORE BRAVADO)........

I accidently broke Pepe's bell!!


And boy, did the audience let out a gasp!


I was busted! So hear comes Pepe from the stage, just giving me "that" look and asked me to hand over HIS bell.

Now of course, I just played this up to the max for as I was handing them back to him, I "tried" to protest but it was NO USE.


** I HAVE BEEN FIRED & TOLD TO GO BACK TO MY SEAT **


So, as I was leaving to slowly shuffle back to my seat, I looked over my shoulder as if to say "I'm sorry" and the whole audience gave a "AHHHH" response to us.


I still was fired by a clown.


But hey.....that means back to my popcorn right??!!



So on with the show we went as the performers held us spellbound with their show and such. In addition to ooing and ahhing over the acrobat who litterally almost fell while trying to spin that huge wheel you see on stage (and jumping inside it @ its apex while spinning it more and more and faster and faster), my fav I would have to say would be:


PEPE THE CLOWN




Afterwards, we all tumbled into the shuttle van and back to the hotel (I would highly recommend seeing this). I tell ya what, all that show has made me hungry!!




So hey, why not head on over to Sonz for a 8pm dinner ressie??


And that I did and had a wonderful feast that couldn't be beat; along with of course a 'few' margaritas.


No with a nice full stomach, what is a better way to put a "godnight kiss" on what has turned out to be such a wonderful day??


*** ASTRONOMY SHOW ****


(I tried the night before but it was canceled due to poor visibility)





DETAILS COMING UP







- ALOHA -

 

[knewton64]

CONTINUED FROM EARLIER POST -

(the lights reflection from one of the many stars I saw)




So I made it back to the meeting/check-in area and was introduced to Ed; former NASA worker who lead me (I was the only one in the 'Group') to an elevator and to the rooftop of the hotel.


TALK ABOUT WHOAH!!


It was like everywhere I looked I saw stars! Hundreds of them - and the sky! CLEAR SKY!!


IT WAS TOOOOOOO COOL!!


I felt like I was ontop of the world as he lead me back to his observatory -like setting and there was the telescope:

And I tell ya what, the hour he and I spent up there just had me spellbound as we looked at many a star, planet and such. Ed was a very patient teacher/instructor and really brought me back up to speed on all things astronomy.


I even saw 3 shooting stars!!


It was just sooooo amazing to be on the roof of a building and all you could see was stars stars and yes - more stars.


AND THAT MOON. Can't forget that.


So when we we all done, he lead me down a stairwell as we said our goodbyes and viola!! I was somewhere on the 9th floor.


So, I took the nearest elevevator down to the 5th floor (floor where my room was on) and mozied on back to my room.

Grabbed what was left of my supply of Pineapple wine and crackers -


and had a nice relaxing hour ish or so time out of the balcony......


just me, radio Disney tunes on my Ipod & a sky full of stars.


Lights out around midnight.










UP NEXT:




Spa Day at the Hyatt








- ALOHA -

 

[knewton64]

........I took a road trip yesterday to the central Texas area and purchased a very cute, lovable and rather outgoing Beagle puppy named "Ladybug."


We are both a little tired from the trip but getting adjusting to each other just fine.


And w/o further audieu, her she is:

and -

Pictures forthcoming at the very end of this trip report - I promise.











WE NOW RETURN TO OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAM.





- ALOHA -

 

[knewton64]

Day 8Nov 4th
Sunny Skies w/high temp of 82 degrees




Today was the day of just total rest and relaxation as I spent half a day on over at the Hyatt's Spa -


My day began around 6:30am with my last wake up call from the front desk. I thanked them for all their help during my stay and slowly got up - looked around and especially outisde the balcony and that view of heaven.


My bags were all packed and so was I around 7:45am (take note how it takes me FOREVER to get ready in the am!) as I made my way on down to the Spa location.



ANYWHO -


I arrived at my prescribed time (just a smidge before 8am) and got all pre-checked in and such. I was shown where the lockers were and such as I made a bee-line to get changed and a quick dip in their hot tubs/saunas.

WOW! All the previous days of being on the go began to just melt away as the jets did their magic on my tired but happy bod.

After what seemed like just a few minutes (actually 20), some guy came in and said I had 10 minutes left before it was "time," so I slowly made my way out and got dried off. From there I made my way to their waiting room and nibbled on a little bit of their bananna nut bread and lemon-water.

** NOT BAD **

Their waiting room was very very relaxing - even had that "waiting room" relaxing music on low in the background.

So after a bit, my angel of mercy comes in (Kay) and leads me into a room where she first began to explain what was about to occur and if I had any questions. With a quick no, I hopped on her table and she went to work for the next 3 1/2 hours staight that just sent my body into pure bliss!!

I mean, I said for her to work me over like sour dough bread & ...well - SHE DID!!

When it came to the hot rock treatment, those buggers were literally smoking as she was placing them on my body!! That was just exactly what the Doctor ordered. She worked over my tired body with a full Swedish body massage, facial, hot rock treatment and foot massage!

** WOW!! **

And before I knew it, 12 noon rolled around and Kay was all done.


And I knew what that meant......but I flipped it around.


Meaning, as I spent about 30 minutes in their relxation room (remember the picture earlier in my trip report??), reflecting on overall what a wonderful advenuture this has been and began to think about my next one.


**DISNEY CRUISE - January 2012 **



ANYWHO -


And with that, 1pm rolled around and I found by accident (was given wrong info AGAIN by Classic Vacations.com) by shuttle van that took me back to the airport and I didn't touch down into DFW airpport until 5:45am the next morning.



I went to the nearest Walmart, bought me a few munchies and went home - popped in a wonderful WDW / DCL promotional dvd and began to dream about my next adventure:

COMING UP:

FInal Thoughts and other Assorted Silliness





- ALOHA -

 

[knewton64]

and -

and -

and last but not least:

- ALOHA -

 

[knewton64]

WOW!!!


What can I say about this adventure!! It was fun and filled with many twists and turns but most of all, I really have to thank the Hyatt Hotel In Maui for truely making this a very magical adventure that I will never forget.


The good:

the island of MAUI





The BAD:
the island of Oahu (hey just my opinion). Besides, while traversing our way down to the 9000 foot mark while on Maui Downhill, the tour Guide asked all of us which island do we like the best.

Most answers were indeed Maui and or Kaui. NO mention of Oahu.


and....


The UGLY:
have decided not to mention (but you two vendors know who you are) since hey - this is a POSITIVE blog.



Overall, I would DEF recommend to head on over to the Aloha state and check it out. If ya island hop, I would def recommend the islands of Maui & Kaui.
The food is wonderful and the island offers a wide range of taste and price range.
the people are very friendly and help to make you feel right at home.


Enjoy and should ya feel a need to ask me a question, feel free to email or pm me.

- ALOHA -

 

[knewton64]

See below listed trip reports & feel free to follow along if ya want.





T.T.F.N.