Oops, we missed it...

Fail
A great thing about having a holiday fall on a Friday, is that you still have the weekend afterwards to have some fun! And there were so many options of things to do, we wanted to make sure to take advantage. However, our plans fell short when we slept in and didn't make it to the Makawao Rodeo Parade.  Ah well, we still had intentions of going to a barbecue and then heading to the actual rodeo later in the afternoon. But this is how my day went instead...

Brunch
Since the parade was at 9, and that's about the time we got up, we decided to go get something to eat. E had mentioned a place called Baked on Maui that she wanted to take me to, and brunch sounded about right, so we headed out to Haiku. The place has a covered patio with tables for outdoor dining which meant she could take Jordan (her dog) with us, so she was happy about that. I ordered a spinach omelette with bacon, which was pretty good. E said they had the best chocolate croissants, so she got one for us to share. OMG! So delicious. I mean, you'd really have to try hard to screw up a chocolate croissant in my book. In fact, we often make them with Pillsbury pre-made croissants (I just like saying that - "croissant") and chocolate chips. But this one was definitely a notch above any I've ever had. I guess I now know what they mean when they describe a flaky buttery crust, because I could really relate to that. Plus, they were warm and the chocolate was melty... Ok - enough about that. Brunch was good is my point.

Baked on Maui
375 W Kuiaha, Pauwela Cannery, Haiku, Hawaii 96708

More new friends = No Rodeo, but there was Karaoke & a Pirate
E was invited (and when I say E, I mean wE, because that's the rule - remember?) to another barbecue by a friend who was actually invited to the barbecue. The plan was to meet up with his group at the hostesses house and walk over to where the parade was going to be held and then come back to her place to hang out and eat before heading over to the rodeo. But this is how it went instead...

As I mentioned above, we missed the parade, and since we ate brunch and it seemed late for the barbecue, we figured we would skip eating with the group and just head over to the rodeo with them. There was a good sized group of people gathered and E's friend did a quick introduction. I'm getting pretty good at party crashing by now, so we sat on some blankets that were laid out on the grass and sparked up conversation with A'n (E's friend), S'h, and A'm. Turned out that S'h was actually invited to the barbecue but A'm, it turns out, was a tag-along - almost like me. The story was that S'h and A'm have a mutual friend and the mutual friend told A'm to contact S'h while he was here. He had just decided recently to make the trip and didn't have any plans or travel partners, so when S'h told him about the barbecue, he decided to join.

The hostess sat and chatted with us too and let us know that we were more than welcome. We ended up staying so long, we had a late lunch and by the time we went to the rodeo, it was pretty much done. A group of us decided to go to one of the few local restaurants (The Stopwatch) and grab a bite to eat and a drink and we ended up running into a few others who had left the party earlier that evening. Did I mention that the original friend that invited E had left by this time, so we were now hanging out with his friends and the other tag-along from Connecticut?

Well, we ate and drank (I became the DD at this point, which is unusual, but totally cool) and sang along (some performed) to karaoke. Finally, it was down to me, E, A'm (the other newbie) and the hostess, E'a, who had not been feeling any pain since the early afternoon. We were happy that she was prepared for nights like this as she came with her own headlamp - which helped immensely on our dark late-night walk to her home to pick up our cars. I thought it was pretty funny that out of all the people - she ended up with three total strangers she had met just earlier in the day. In the end, we all made it home, safe and sound, with no bull riding stories to tell, but with a handful of new friends - which I think, is even better.

And. We met a pirate.

E and Jordan at Baked on Maui

As close to the rodeo as we got :)

Love all the pretty plants!

Aww, look at that cute lil' pineapple!

B'h, E'a (hostess), A'm (newbie)

J'n and K'e

me and E!

R'l and D'y

S'h

Happy 4th of July!

Snorkeling

The morning started out early to head back to Kihea for some snorkeling. I didn't have any gear so E offered some other options (she's all about options), but it seemed fastest, easiest and like a good investment for this trip to just go ahead and buy some. First stop was to a local dive shop to pick up a pair of goggles and flippers for me. The sales person was really nice too.

The Scuba Shack - Maui

2349 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753

www.scubashack.com

The beach was just a few minutes from the dive shop and parking, I'm finding, is pretty convenient. We met up with E's friend and jumped right in so I got a view of Ulua Beach from a whole other side. 

It's funny how when you first step in, it seems pretty chilly. But as soon as you immerse yourself, you end up realizing how amazingly perfect the temperature is. Fish were so close to the shore, I might have thought they were mudskippers. One side of the reef seemed to house the baby fish, while the other side, the adults. It seemed to be quite popular for snorkeling and some scuba - which was fine as I'm sure it lent to the level of safeness I felt in the water. I definitely can't name everything I saw, but for sure, the state fish (the Humuhumunukunukuapua`a) and a Moorish idol (think Gill from "Finding Nemo"). Also, a couple of sea turtles and a nudibranch. Unfortunately, I didn't have a full charge on my camera and it died out before I got the hang of taking pictures.

Fish Tacos

After a trip around the reef and back - and a little playtime in the water, we were ready to eat. E took me to a place called Coconuts where we shared a plate of fish tacos. I've been told that the fish tacos I make are pretty good, but I kid you not, my mouth still waters thinking about theirs. E said they're only located in Hawaii and Scottdale (which I think it weird), but still, recommended.

Coconuts Fish Cafe
Azeka Shopping Center
1279 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI
http://coconutsfishcafe.com/

Lahaina

I'm not sure why we thought we had some much time when we got home, but we took a bit to get ready (curled hair and mascara) for the evening and ended up rushing out the door to make it to Lahaina. Apparently, you never know how traffic is going to be and if it gets backed up on the one highway to our destination, we could have missed our boat. Fortunately, we made it in plenty of time for check in and also were able to visit the Banyan Tree and some local shops on the main street. 

I was so excited to tell Darren about the Banyan Tree and realized that words and pictures will never do it justice. However, I'll try and post what I do have.

At 7, we boarded a boat through Maui Adventure Cruises to sail out into the harbor for a special view at the fireworks show. The trip included heavy pupus (appetizers) and entertainment by and extra flirty crewman named Rob. While were viewing the sunset, there were a ton of ooh's and ah's as it was the most colorful I have ever seen. I found later the next day that it wasn't an exaggeration in my mind as many of E's friends who have lived in Hawaii for many years also commented on how magnificent it was. Seeing a firework show along with it's reflection in the sea wasn't bad either!

I suppose maybe because it was my first Friday here, we weren't done yet. Another friend of E's had invited us to Baby Beach for a barbeque and to light our own fireworks. We missed the barbeque, but G'n was obliging enough to continue to light a variety of things on fire for us (they happened to be fireworks, but I think he would have been happy lighting candles). The host invited us back to his place for some Lilikoi pie before we headed home - exhausted. Poor E basically made the drive herself as I passed out almost immediately leaving her to the hour plus drive on her own.

B'y, M'a, Rob, Capt'n Gabe, E and me

I love photo filters - but this one didn't need it!

E holding our BYOB Peligrino that we brought to make Sangria and that someone STOLE - right from the cooler. Okay, they took two out of three and we didn't drink on the boat anyway...

B'y, M'a, E & Randy Rob!

Me and E!

Me and the most amazing sunset ever

G'n lightin' stuff on fire

Happy Hour with a view....

Today after I dropped E off at work, I stopped in at Komoda's (at which point I realized I was still wearing my actual slippers - not slippas). It was on my list to go there and get a "famous cream puff" as touted by the Go Hawaii website. It wasn't what I expected because it was filled with more of a custard than a whipped cream, which I was expecting. Still, I'm glad I went. It's a cute little mom n pop type shop and you have to support that.

For a snack, follow the locals to get a famous cream puff from T. Komoda Store. Established in 1916 by Takezo Komoda, a Japanese plantation worker, this little store and bakery does big business. Lines can be long in the morning when everything’s fresh, so come early. The bakery is closed on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Komoda's Bakery
3674 Baldwin Ave, Makawao, HI

E got off work early enough for us to take a trip to Migrant at the Wailea Beach Marriott for Happy Hour, and you know how happy I get about Happy Hour! I think she mentioned that the chef had won or had been on one of the televised cooking shows. Fancy.

I had a Moscow Mule to drink (not the best I've ever had by any means). We decided to share a few foodstuff happy hour items (50% off! what!?) and ordered the Tocino, Filipino Sweet Pork and the Pancit Noodles (I love noodles!). Both were delicious and along with the view, made up for my notsoyummy drink.

Migrant at the Wailea Beach Marriott
3700 Wailea Alanui Dr, Kihei, HI
http://www.migrantmaui.com/

E's Traveling Tip #1: There are NO private beaches in Hawaii. (minor exceptions)

We took a stroll around Ulua Beach and saw yet another amazing sunset. I'm not sure I'll ever get used to that view. We also noticed a bride hiking up some rocks along the shoreline to take some perfect-moment wedding pics and hoped that she had got all the other poses she wanted before she fell into the ocean. somehow, she made it without incident.

After sunset, we stole a peak at a nearby newer hotel (the Andaz Wailea Resort), where we noticed we were quite dehydrated as we admired the view of the infinity pools that were layered on three levels. E offered to go somewhere to get another drink, but I thought dessert sounded better, so we went to Tommy Bahama's and shared a Malted Chocolate Pie. Oh my!

Thankfully, we made it home before our sugar induced coma had set in.

 

Getting to know you....

E had to work on a boat today and was gone until after I went to bed. I was pretty tired, so I think I crashed at just after 8.

What I did do today, after I was off work, was make my way to town again (Kahului) and to a couple of stores (Ross, Walgreens, Sears, Macy's). I found a pair of shoes that will hopefully work for our hiking adventures. Also, a trash can and some cloth to use for curtains in my new room. I need to get fancy and cut the cloth in half still to cover both sides of the windows, but I'm not in a huge hurry.

My Room! And fancy curtain!

My "office" window view

The yard to the left of our front door (multi unit house). If you walk along the right side to the lower fence, it will take you to the pool.

YES! I said pool! We have a salt water pool in the backyard!

New Friends

Last night E informed me that she was invited to a barbeque at a friend's house to celebrate another friend's 41st birthday. She also informed me that I was invited, by default, as she already told her friends that was the way it was going to be. Nice of E to be takin' care of me. Plus, I'm way excited to meet people and her friends are fun people in my experience.

At the grocery store last night, she wanted to buy a cake. But I didn't think they looked very appetizing, so I volunteered to make cupcakes. Nice thing about getting up so early in the morning and living in upcountry is that it can be a little brisk. It was the perfect time to put on the oven and do the baking.

On our way to the barbeque, E got a call regarding a monk seal that was found "hooked" on a local beach. She's part of a group called the NOAA Fisheries Protected Resource Division that volunteers to do what they can to help protect the species. She spent an hour or so, along with another volunteer evaluating the situation and doing what they could do and needed to do for it. The seal ended up going back into the water and they made a plan for further action in the morning. Wow. (Note: the seal was back on the beach the next day and they were able to remove the hook).

This brought us to the party, which was in a town called Kihei, a couple of hours late. After we hosed off as much sand as we could and dropped our slippas (flip flops) into the pile by the door of the garage, we were welcomed by a big group of people. I thought it might have been because of the cupcakes, but it turns out a standard greeting is a hug and a kiss on the cheek (which is exactly the same at my house!).

E's friends were gracious and welcoming and after we ate, the girls settled onto the back patio furniture to talk about night dives, mermaids, and weekend plans - while the guys played darts. I'm looking forward to hanging out with them again soon!

Day 1

Today was my first full day in Maui... and I had to work.

I'm sure you all feel very sorry for me. Probably even more-so if you know the reason why I can't take anymore vacation right now, is because I just went on vacation to Nuevo Vallarta two weeks ago. Boo-hoo.

Well, it worked out fine. I was able to get up at 4:45am to make my 5:00am call (9am MDT). It was one of the requirements for me to be able to "work from home" while I'm here.

E was kind enough to lend me her car, so I drove her to work (not more than a couple of miles away) and on my lunch hour, I ventured out to the city. I found my way to Kahului just fine and made a trip to Costco and Walmart to pick up some necessities that I either couldn't bring with me, or I happened to forget. The most important one being a monitor for work. So now I have a nice little setup in the living room, where I can take my 5am call without disturbing anyone.

And, more importantly - I found my way back home from Kahului.

"Home" - for the next couple of months is a town called Makawao that is in upcountry Maui. It's famous for it's Hawaiian cowboys, or paniolo, and I seem to be arriving just in time for the 4th of July weekend rodeo, which is supposed to be a big event.

Since I am working Colorado based hours, which put me on a 5am-2pm schedule, it's leaving my afternoons open for exploring. This evening we took a trip to a nearby town called Haiku, where we stopped at a Kombucha bar called Maui Kombucha. E's description of it did not sound good at all - "it can be bitter, but sometimes, it's ok'" - but I did tell myself now is the time to try new things, so I did. I picked a Jamaican Ginger concoction and it was fine for me. Of course, my first comment was "I could use this to make Moscow Mules" at which point our server, Joe, said he would join us for that.  

About Kombucha: Mistakenly referred to as a mushroom, Kombucha is a Symbiotic Culture Of Beneficial Bacteria and Yeast, or a SCOBBY. When the culture, which resembles a gelatinous pancake, is placed in an infusion of tea and sugar and allowed to ferment, the result is a refreshing and rejuvenating beverage rich in probiotics, amino acids, enzymes, and B vitamins.

While we were there, we also ordered the Fusion Bowl, which was saffron quinoa, layered with cream of asparagus soup and local greens. Not bad, but not my fave. While I might have kombucha again, I probably wouldn't do a repeat on the Fusion Bowl. 

Funny thing, I also noticed their "digital signage", which was created by displaying three word processing type documents side by side. It was super fancy (and when I say super fancy, I mean, not fancy at all). But I did notice that they updated it immediately, when they ran out of one flavor of Kombucha and had to update the Flavors of the Day.

Maui Kombucha

http://mauikombucha.com/

The evening continued as we took a scenic road trip from Haiku to Paia, stopping at my first beaches in Maui. Hookipa Beach, near Haiku is a local's favorite and is known for some of the best surfing waves. We also saw some roosters. Yeah, I said roosters. They're all over the place. And. They have no flipping idea when dawn is.

Next, we ventured on up the highway towards Paia and stopped at Baldwin Beach. We took the chairs out and sat and watched the sunset. It was beautiful and I'm not sure why, but more than I ever expected. Maybe it was because it wasn't an overly busy and crowded beach. Maybe because it was so easy to get to, find parking, and take a little walk up to. Maybe because it was so clean - just sand and water. Or maybe it was just that I'm lucky enough to have the experience, and I can't help but being appreciative.

After we enjoyed our view and un-buried our toes from the sand, we drove back towards Makawao through Paia, stopping at a local grocery store called Mana. E likes to call it a hippy store, and it's totally fitting. My friends Nick, Tyler and Hana might have been impressed to know that I bought a vegan chocolate chip chocolate cookie and couldn't help but think of them. It was probably more delicious than the ones they brought me from Whole Foods in Denver, so that's saying something. Guess you'll have to visit Maui to be the judge of it...

It was a lot to take in for the first day, but I managed to get home and warm up some Totino's pizza rolls and share some of E's leftover "plate lunch" for dinner.

# of in-house Gecko sightings: 1