Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Welcome Home

Our last day on tour featured another day of Hawaiian sunshine, blue skies and beautiful scenery. After a day at the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel it was time to check out and head for the airport at Kahului, Maui for our return flight to Vancouver and Toronto.

Our flights were on time and smooth sailing. Vancouver offered us our first look at passing through Canada Customs electronically and we were back on our final flight to Toronto. When we arrived in Toronto we said our goodbyes to George and Gloria Rowe, Janine Broughton and Dave and Linda Wells. It was then time to board our Coach Canada charter with Todd Steele at the wheel to take us home to eastern Ontario. It was a rude awakening at Toronto with the temperature at 35 instead of the 75 we have become accustomed to. Stop by stop our folks disembarked from the coach with hugs and goodbyes all around. Finally, Doug and Jeannie were on the final leg to Brighton and our "Tour to Paradise" has come to a close.

We all have wonderful memories of the Hawaiian Islands! In all, we visited four islands (Oahu, Hawaii, Kauai and of course Maui), enjoyed some great food, tried some new experiences and made some new friends! It's great to be able to visit different destinations around the world but it's especially nice to know that we always get to return home to the greatest country in the world - our true north strong and free! We live in one of the safest places in the world and although we have to endure winters of snow, ice and cold winds, we have to realize how blessed we are. This was never more evident than the first morning we awoke at home only to hear of the disaster in Japan and the ensuing tsumami headed for the islands we just returned from.

A quick call to our friends at the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel and we learned that everyone was safe and no damage was done in Maui.

We're looking forward to our 2012 tour already!! So one last sign off!!
Alooooohaaaa!!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Wednesday March 9th - Boo Hoo...we have to go home!!!!!!!!

Well, as the age old saying goes, all good things must come to an end and today is the day we bid farewell to paradise!  Another beautiful sunrise over the mountain as the first light hits the island of Lanai in the distance.  The waves are rolling in along the shore and people are up and at it to enjoy an early morning walk along the beach walk, some people in the Pacific swimming already and the golfers with the early morning start teeing it up before the heat of the day settles in.

We are leaving for the airport at 6:30 so the day is ours to prepare for the long journey ahead. More photos later at our farewell ceremony in the lobby. See you back home.
Aloha

Tuesday March 8th

Another beautiful day in the neighborhood!!  We awoke to clear blue skies and the brilliant sunshine the west coast of Maui is famous for.


  Everyone was back on the own schedule to “hang loose” as they please.  Susan and Dean were headed out to tour the island again today, Yvan and Kristina were just going to relax around the resort as were Gunter and Ingrid.  Jim and Bev decided to drive the northern part of the island first enjoying the resort area of Kapalua – not as many resort type properties but more private residences and condominiums.  For those looking for a golf holiday, you can see why Ka’anpali and Kapalua are so popular – so many impressive looking courses (maybe next year!).  


Once we left Kapalua it didn’t take long until the landscape became very rugged and uninhibited.  We viewed some amazing inlets and bays for snorkeling and diving.  Not far along the nice highway we were travelling, turned into a single lane country road (reminded me of the twists and turns into our cottage in Ompah when I was a kid) with once side of the lane cut into to the mountain and the other a shear drop off.  Thankfully, we met only a handful of cars travelling the opposite direction as making room to get around each other was a bit dicey. 




The scenery on the east side of the island was equally impressive as we made our way towards Waiehu, passing through Wailuku towards Ma’alaea for lunch at “Beach Bums”, then a short visit to Lahaina and our circle tour was complete upon our return to Ka’anapali.  
 
Many of our guests were seen enjoying their last Maui sunset as the heat of the day turned into a beautiful orange sky as the back drop with palm trees and sail boats making silhouettes in the foreground – and high above a fingernail moon (that’s for you Trev!).  The beach walk was busy with people coming and going to various restaurants and the Sheraton next door hosted their outdoor Luau.  It was a beautiful night to close out our vacation.




Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Monday March 7th

Monday March 7th – Happy Monday in Maui!  Farewell Dinner    
The winds kicked up a bit last night and blew the slight humidity off to sea.  Today was a free day.  Some worked on their tans around the pool and some ventured into Lahaina.  Susan and Dean rented a car a tooted around the north shore of the island.  Jim & Bev also rented a car and drove back to Kahului for the helicopter tour they had booked before leaving home.  What an experience!!  Our original tour was to circle the island of Maui, however, the low cloud cover had built about half way up the Haleakala Crater so Captain Kirk decided to show us some of the incredible scenery in the centre of Maui, then travel along the west coast of the island and cross over to Molokai, the Happy Island, with it’s 6,000 inhabitants.  It was then back to the North Shore of Maui, crossing over the Ka’anapali resort area, Lahaina and back to Kahului – what an amazing experience and we would highly recommend it to anyone visiting this island.

This evening was our only “official” group function during our time in Maui – our Lakeshore “Farewell Dinner”.  We had originally scheduled the event on the seaside lawn, however with a few sprinkles of rain and threatening clouds overhead  we decided to move under a Tiki Hut on the grounds.  We arranged pictures prior to dinner for each couple as well as a group shot.  Our evening dinner was enjoyed by all, the food was great, the wine was flowing, the laughs were a mile a minute and cameras were clicking all night.  We also celebrated the 50th wedding anniversary of Gunter and Ingrid, Susan Floyd’s birthday on Tuesday and Barry Jones arranged for a birthday cake for Jo-Ann celebrating her 40th birthday today.  By the smiles and hugs, I would say it was a very good evening and the best part is that we still have two full days left on this wonderful island.  Bev thinks her and I should stay behind and start “Mauishore Tours & Travel” – it does have a nice ring to it!!

Tuesday is a free day and many guests will be exploring this wonderful island one last time..................

Please feel free to comment on any post, we would love to hear from you.

Aloha

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Sunday March 6th

Happy Sunday.  The sun has returned and the beach walk is very busy with walkers.  The golfers are out in big numbers at the Ka'anapali Golf Courses.  Everyone is getting their bearings around the area.  Last night some were able to eaves drop on a wedding on property and another is scheduled for tonight (not any of our group we don't think - LOL)  The hotel has supplied us with breakfast daily, which is an added bonus!!  Some were going to relax at the hotel while others were planning to hop the local shuttle bus to Lahaina Town.  The local crafts were on display this morning in the lobby and some chose to purchase these items at great prices.  Aloha!









Saturday, March 5th Kauai - Honolulu - Ka'anpali Beach Hotel


Still a few lingering raindrops this morning, but the skies appear to be clearing.  We have one last morning in Kauai to enjoy the lush surroundings.  Hopefully, the rain holds off for Peter Piels who has booked an early tee time to play the local Jack Nicklaus course.  We’ll try to track Peter down later to see if he broke 90.

When asked if he was able to break 90, it was affirmative.  Peter had a great day that included three foursomes with Cory, the NCL Golf Pro, playing 6 holes with each group – offering tips and lessons along the way.

With the early (1:30 PM) departure from Kauai, most spent the morning running into town for some last minute shopping.  The Garden Island continued to stay green with a constant overcast and intermittent rain.  The trip back to Honolulu offered an up close look at the Na’poli coast in all it’s beauty.  The fog did limit the visibility, but you could shear majesty of these volcanic mountains.  One final night on board with a recap of the week’s entertainment featuring the magic of Matt Marcy, the comedy of Kermet Apio and the music of the Frankie Valli tribute group.  There were lots of laughs and hand clapping this evening.  After another great evening, bags were out by midnight as we sailed full throttle back to Oahu.




Saturday March 5 – We return to Maui by small aircraft

The best weather we experienced our first week in the islands happened in Maui earlier in the cruise – so let’s hope that holds true again!  Everyone was well organized and ready to disembark the ship at our arranged 9:00 AM time.  The luggage was quickly gathered in the terminal, our Roberts of Hawaii coach was ready and waiting to take us to Honolulu Airport and we were on our way.  Upon arrival at the airport, we had arranged for a group check in with Hawaiian Airlines and we cleared security and were on our inter-island flight back to Kahului, Maui.  We were no longer in the air, when the captain announced we were beginning our descent to Kahului.  Again, our coach was ready and waiting, the luggage was loaded and we were on our way to the Ka’anapali region on Maui.  A short 40 minute drive along the coast (with whales playing again) and we arrived at our home away from home for the next four nights – The Ka’anapali Beach Hotel.  A quick checkin and short orientation of the resort and area and everyone was off to their rooms.
Although still under cloudy skies and drizzle it didn’t take long for our guests to find the Tiki Bar for a liquid refreshment and a quick bite to eat.  Many made their way a few hundred yards up the beach to the Whaler’s Village Shopping Centre which features many stores and restaurants, live entertainment and this is the location for the shuttle bus that takes us into the village of Lahaina.  I’m sure many will head there tomorrow.  Aloha – just checked the forecast and looks like the rain will finally be behind us for the balance of our vacation – Wowee, Maui.