Maui, January, 2013

Here we are again, in Maui at the Kamoale Sands in condo 4-203.  It is so fortunate that 3 years ago we met Sandy and Dennis, they own this condo.  We had rented the condo two doors down from where we were staying.  Their condo has become our Maui home.  It is well appointed is in a wonderful location.

We got off to somewhat of a rocky start on this vacation when the border guard at Sumas asked for printed documentation of our flights and accommodations.  I went to retrieve it from the trunk of the car only to find it missing.  We just barely had time to go home for it but what else could we do.  Back to the Canadian crossing; thank goodness we didn't think about the liquor we had purchased at the duty free!  Back we went to Mission for our papers that I believed I had left on the kitchen table after confirming our flight on the computer that morning.  Just after we went past Clayburn Road, Roy said, "didn't you put those papers in the backpack?"  I had! Back to the US border.  New crossing guard - didn't give a hoot about papers!  We hadn't needed to bother as all the info was in our phones.  Just time to get to the plane, check in, fill our water bottles and get a lunch to eat in flight.  Whew!

The flight was bumpy at times but we got to Maui without mishap, picked up our rental and set out for Safeway where we bought a weeks worth of food and then to Kamaole Sands. We enjoyed our dinner in the condo and strolled down to check out the pool before sinking into our comfy bed in a very warm bedroom. 

The morning sky promised a sunny day and that was exactly what we got.  Off for a walk on the beach.  I will let Roy tell about the rest of the relaxing day,

We walked along the beach south for  total of about 45 minutes.  Once we passed Kehei Surfside  resort we took off our shoes and socks and walked in the surf.  At one of the resorts along the beach  there were men trimming palm trees.  They don't climb up using their bare feet like the movies, instead they use a moveable platform.  Very cool.   After our walk we went back to the condo for coffee and toast. As with all unknown coffee makers, it takes some fiddling to finally get it to operate.  The jury is out on the taste of the coffee, Costa Rica, but different than we are use to.  We decided to go and get our swim fins before lunch. First stop was Whalers to get a lighter to ignite our candles and some post cards for home.  Next stop, USPS for some stamps (the price is going up shortly) for the post cards.  The Quilt shop is almost next store to the post office so of course it was an obvious choice to stop there, kind of like a tool place you have to stop.  I spent some time in an antique shop while Linda browsed the Quilt shop.  It is a really cool shop, but Linda didn't buy anything.  We really like the Boss Frogs dive shop where we bought our masks and snorkles last year so because it was on our way back we stopped there. Brent wasn't there this time and there was quite a line up so we left and went to the Boss Frogs closer to  our condo.  We were almost the only people in the store and the clerk was good and we rented fins and they were 2 for 1 so was a good deal.  Its amazing how good the drivers are here.  We had to make a left turn onto the main highway leaving Boss Frogs with an endless number of cars coming from both directions, but soon people stopped and let us in.  I don't know if it is just more laid back or the 20 mph speed limit, people seem to be more considerate, we see that all the time.  Had a nice lunch at the Condo, partly with last nights dinner before lathering up and heading to the beach.  The beach was hot and sunny with lots of people enjpoying the water and sunshine.  We sat and read for a short while before taking the plunge.  It seems cold to get in and over the shock it is possible to stay a long time.  There was a nice breeze blowing in from the north west creating some some waves to we got the boggie boards into the water.  Only managed about a half dozen good rides before the wind died and with it the good waves.  Still great to be back into the water.  Once out and sitting on the beach, Linda saw a whale breeching about 1/2 mile off shore.  We finally figured out there was a pod and they kept breeching one at a time for about 15 minutes. Great sight and we didn't have to pay for the privilege of wathing. The sun was getting very hot so it was time to head back for a sun break and shower.  During the last couple of years we have not spent much time at the pool so this time we planned to take more advantage of the facilities.  We packed a barley sandwich into our travel mugs, grabbed our books and headed for the pool.  One thing about the pool it is a good place to watch people.  We watched about a 5 year old boy carrying a 2-3 month old baby and we though he was either going to strangle the baby or drop him as the baby slipped lower and lower.  Fortunately the baby's mother took him/her before he slipped out out the brothers grasp.  Sunset was coming fast so we packed up, nipped up to our condo, dropped off our books etc., refilled our mugs and headed back to the beach.  There are more people down at the beach watching sunset than during the day on the sandy beaches, very relaxing.  Dinner outside on the lanai, we just love it.  A bit of traffic but small price to pay for being here.  All for now, soon to bed for a new day is approaching.