Buckmaster's_Maui_Hale_Chang's Beach_Turtle_viewing.

Chang's Beach • Great turtle viewing.

Best beach I've been introduced to for turtle watching. Go to beach, staying to the left, swim along rocks around the end of the rocks as short distance and voila, there they are laying on the bottom, grazing on the seaweed and just cavorting, so to speak, around. I had one come up from the button right at me in a disconcerting way. Didn't know wether it was friendly, rabid, just curious or was in love with me? 

Remember, don't touch the turtles. ($500 fine)

Need some good reading for your trip?

Healing, Romance & Revolution Carolyn and Dennis have compiled a book of Carolyn's Aunt Harriet's last year in China (1926).

A really Good Read!

Healing, Romance & Revolution

Spent nice visit in September and early October 2010

Just a short visit this time. Condo in great shape, very delighted.

Spent fair amount of time with friends, including: Tom and Donna including a polo match. Polo in Maui is great. Especially, if members of you family enjoy horses (even if you don't like horse go).

Our new polo friends, a fun group of local Portegee families lead by Richard (far left side), my new best friend! Wonderful folks with great "Aloha". Actually, they like Carolyn "mo bettah".

Got to know Bob and Judy (wonderful folks from Minnesota); and "Go Cowboys" Doak and Sharon better. 

And, then there was April and her husband Fransico. April is daughter of great friends Gary and Ywla, proprietors of The Inn at Goose Creek, a delightful boutique hotel in Ellensburg, WA.

A nicer couple you couldn't find (April and Francisco). What good fun to spend time with the "little girl" we remember from years ago.

Also, met wonderful family from Canada, the Abedi family. We had great time introducing them to snorkeling. Could barely get daughter, Mercedes out of the water. Had to watch Behzad (father) carefully, as he had a tendency to start swimming towards Japan. (His, internal compass needs calibration)

There's no better place to connect with your family and friends than Maui. You'd be surprised what a rich experience it is to meet and travel with family and friends in Maui. Something about the islands that is conducive to "bonding". 

Guess, we really packed a bunch in this short time.

Just back from a short visit with lots of fun.

Carolyn and I spent 12 days in the condo, arriving home 5/24.

Among several activities we enjoyed two polo matches and (believe it or not) a roller-derby event. Maui Cowboy Arena Polo Match 5/23/2010 Our polo match crowd was twelve. I hope we didn't drive off the nice folks who came to watch the match in a dignified manner; we probably weren't dignified; but, damn, we brought color, excitement and enthusiasm. That should count for something.

We were delighted at how enjoyable Maui Polo is; the players, the ponies, the action. The ponies seem to have just as much fun as the riders. Of special fun is the announcer, who is a local kine guy, with a great sense of humor. The players are up-close and personal; and, thundering horses flying by within feet. And, all that for just $5 per person. Bring a cooler with drink and food and you've got a great afternoon tailgate party. Go "wild" with the rest of the crowd.

Check their website at Maui Polo Club Home Page for season schedule.

Met even more great, friendly people, many through Jane and Larry, who are really becoming connected in the Kihei community.

We're back! Short visit this time (12/26/09 to 01/08/10)

Events conspired to call us back to Maui for a short visit.

We arrived in time to greet the Mannings at the airport. Mike and Kathy had no idea we were coming, surprising them totally.

As the Manning tribe was occupying our condo, we stayed with the Ness'. And, great hosts they are.

Events included:

• Great weather.
• Golf, three times.
• Attend beach picnic with about 30 people.
• 
• Spent time with Tom and Donna.
• Went to the top of Haleakala for the sunset. (Absolutely spectacular. I highly recommend the trip.)
• Met more of Jane and Larry's friends.
• 
• Spent quality time with Jane and Larry.
• Attended wonderful dinner with Doak and Sharon.
• The Mannings had over to a grand dinner. Thanks to Heidi and Sherry for their wonderful culinary skills. Included on the menu was grilled Opa (a light white fish), grilled ahi, new york steak, smoked ahi, smoked marlin dip, salad and more.

Maui did it again! Romance is in the air! Dave (seven year significant other to Heidi) proposed to Heidi while on Maui.

Some fun places, artists, venues and businesses

Sherri Reeve is our favorite island artist.

Visit her gallery for sure
Wonderful talent, wonderful art and wonderful support staff.
www.sreeve.com

While in Makawao, visit the Hot Island Glass Blowers.
They too are greatly talented.
www.hotislandglass.com

Jody and Kathi Sparks are a great couple with a heck of a Maui story.

Kathi operates the Makawao Garden Cafe right next to Sherri Reeve's Gallery.
Jody has the Nature Cafe just below the Ioa Needle Park. Nice people with a heck of story.

Dale is a gifted artist specializing in wood carving from tree trunks and root systems.

Recently (6/09), you can catch him working on a mermaid carving along the beach walk in front of the Grand Wailea Hotel.
I promise you'll be amazed and delighted with his work.
www.dalezarrella.com

Arguably the best Sushi Bar in Kihei, yet still a unknown gem.

You have to be early or you won't get in. Limit seating.


Also, for a local "flavor" and taste treat go to the "Tasty Crust" at:

Yeah, it's not pretty, but it's an experience and the foods good and cheap.
Curtis Takaoka's family has owned the business since 1957.

Maui, Spring 2009

We've had a busy time since Adam and Jen got married, including;

• Seven weeks in Maui which entailed entertaining several sets of friends and relatives:

• Dave and Molly (Carolyn's cousin and husband)

This was Dave and Molly's second stay with us.

Dave is my hero. Being an retired aerospace guy and all around Mr. Fix It I just set him loose.

Dave and Molly are really easy, nice and fun folks to spend time with.

• Kathy and Mike (Carolyn's friend from kindergarten and her husband)

It was fun getting to know Kathy and Mike.
Thanks to Kathy and Mike for taking the risk to come stay with us, as you never know what you're in for when you spend a week together.

Hey, worked out fine.

• Karen and Kenny (My cousin Karen and her husband)

 

Then there's Karen and Kenny!

I convinced Karen that I was her favorite cousin, so from there on things went swimmingly.

Karen really got into the snorkel adventure (her really first time) Hint use a "noodle" for added buoyancy.

Two more genuinely joyful folks you will not find.

It took a while to tame Kenny. I found treating him like a Marine Corp recruit worked well. By the time they left he had obtained "Guest 1st Class" rank.