Maui   2005-12-31

Happy New Year!

It's hard to believe another year has ended and a new one is already underway. It doesn't seem like a year ago today that I was gasping for air while nearly drowning in a frigid mountain river in Taiwan's Taroko Gorge. Ah, good times.

This New Year's Day finds us freshly tanned and golden from two weeks on Maui with the Alexanders. On previous trips we've gone out of our way to "take a bit out of the ass of life" (Booth). But, this trip was all about spending quality time with close friends, not about rappelling down sheer rock faces or shark wrestling. That said, we didn't have much of a "programme NOW" on Maui. We just spent most of our time body surfing, snorkeling, swimming, and flaking out in the sun.

The weather was perfect - not too hot, not too cold and the ever present trade winds blew clear blue skies our way the entire two weeks. We gulped up the warm, silky air every time we stepped outside the condo. We just couldn't get enough of it, especially knowing that we'd be returning to our funny little deep freeze of a house to suffer through a few more months of bone aching cold.

So, how was the trip? In the word of one Mr. Greg Gillespie, "Mauilicious."

If you want a closer look at the action, I've posted some higher resolution photos in the photos section (Photo Archive: 2006-01-01). Also, Scott, once again donning the gloves for twelve rounds with iMovie in the first Man vs. Machine bout of the year, put together a slideshow of our trip. It's six fresh minutes of tasteful dissolves and groovy tunes. Mahalo, Scotter. You can check it out here.

Need Flash Player?







The departures board at Narita airport. With some trepidation, we flew China Airlines to Honolulu. Word on the street says China Airlines has one of the worst safety records in the world. Marlene, not a fan of flying under any circumstances, took that to heart and ordered up a few pill laden cocktails to soothe her way over the Pacific.





Welcome to America. There was no shortage of "Support Our Troops" and American flag bumper stickers choking the parking lots of Costco, Wal-Mart, and K-Mart.





As much as I love the big city lifestyle, complete with aftershave and cuff links, there's something great to be said about just sliding into flip flops and shorts for the day.





L → R: Scott, Shari, me, and Marlene. Our trip grew from an off-hand remark about hulas and holidays over double americanos at cafe Paridiso in May. Thanks to caffeine for launching us towards hanging fourty.





The Maui Banyan - peach walls, white wicker, and Bea Arthur's dentures on the bedside table. We had a first floor room a two minute walk from Kamaole II Beach on South Kihei Road. Marlene and I took the pull out in the living room and Scott and Shari took the king size in the bedroom. Next time I'm going to hit the gym for a few months before we go on vacation together so I don't lose the "who sleeps in the bed" arm wrestle. Sorry Marlene.





A splayed palm on the Banyan grounds.





The summit of Mount Haleakala. At 10,000 feet the air is thin, the sky is clear, and the temperature is cold.




On the summit of Mount Haleakela. We didn't take much notice of the fuel gauge on the drive to the summit; it was dancing on empty. We made it to the top thanks to fumes and to the bottom thanks to Newton.





The US Airforce and University of Hawaii observatories. Look closely and you can see 007, Dr. Holly Goodhead, and the rest of the Moonraker cast doing their morning stretches in the background.





Marlene and me. Cold.





Scott and Shari. Cold.





Shari and Marlene. Cold.





Anyone care for a new Windows XP desktop?





Watching the swells roll in on the North Shore.





Shari on the beach at Paia.





Nothing says "Uncle Lou" more than watching Scott on the beach.





Shari, Marlene, and Scott snorkeling at La Perouse Bay. La Perouse is at the end of the road at the southern tip of Maui.





Marlene hanging ten.





Scott and Shari hanging twenty.





Scott and Shari.





Marlene flying along the bottom at Ahihi Cove.





Marlene skimming the surface at La Perouse Bay.





Chasing a school of yellow tipped fish at La Perouse Bay.





A school of yellow tipped fish racing along the bottom of La Perouse Bay.





In the thick of things.





All I know is that I was alone and they were big, aggressive, and came in from out of the blue.





A butterfly fish.





On an early morning when we had La Perouse Bay to ourselves, we came upon this green sea turtle. We swam with it spellbound for about 15 minutes before it turned and headed for deeper water.

















On Christmas Eve, Scott, Shari, Marlene, and I got dressed up and went out for a drink at the Grand Wailea Resort. It's the kind of place where if you're spending $13,000/night to stay in one of the penthouse suites, you can afford the $125 finger of wiskey. Scott and I opted for two fingers a lesser expensive one, while Marlene and Shari savoured their coconut, umbrella, hibiscus topped concoctions.





We met up with our great friends Laine and Christina for Christmas dinner. They were on Maui with their two daughters, Christina's family, and some friends of the family for the Christmas holidays. It was such a treat to spend time, albeit not enough, with them in such an amazing location. We spent most of Christmas day riding huge swells and fighting our way over a snaggle tooth reef. Many cuts and scrapes later, we retired to their condo patio to enjoy a delicous Christmas dinner of barbecue seared tuna, aparagus, potatoe salad, and grilled vegetables washed down with a few glasses of white wine.





Claire playing in the sand at Makena Beach.





Diving through the swells at Makena Beach. Makena, also known as Big Beach, boasts impressive waves and vicious rip currents.





Early morning reflections on a great trip at Kamaole I Beach after a Maui Taco breakfast on the beach.





Scott and me on the way to recycle a full trunk of beer and wine bottles.





How can you not be an amateur philosopher when you're treated to nightly sunsets like this?





Enough said.

Marlene + Todd  |  Leave a Comment  |