just back, here's the trip report

I hope someone will find my trip report helpful or enjoyable to read. I know I loved them before going on our Maui trip.

We were in Maui the 9th through the 16th. We had a long flight from Chicago, and tried to upgrade to first class for the way home, but it was full. Even though uncomfortable the trip was well worth it for what we experienced in Maui, it was incredible.

Day 1- We got our rental car, were expecting convertible Mustang but hubby agreed to conv. PT Cruiser. It was cute, it became lovingly known as ';Petey.'; We stayed at the Maui Prince and loved it! It is all the way down at the south west tip and away from the crowds. We just ordered room service and looked around our new home that night.

Day 2- Getting up early was not a problem, (5 hour time difference from home) drove to Lahaina for PWF Lana%26#39;i dolphin/snorkel trip. Parked at Dickenson lot - $8 for 8 hours. We were early so we went and drank a $5 juice (only a taste of expensive beverages and meals to come)The trip was great! It was too windy to snorkel at Lana%26#39;i but we rode over there and saw 9 whales on the way. Beautiful! We were at the tail end, (didn%26#39;t mean it like that) of whale season. They are quickly leaving and heading for Alaska. We were looking for a pod of spinner dolphins but came across a pod of 5 bottle nose instead. One came to swim with the boat and as I laid on the webbing in front of the boat it was directly under me. (This maybe was the coolest thing that happened, at least for the moment.) We ended up snorkeling back by Maui at a destroyed pier, was not too good but the crew really did try. It was just a windy day.

After we were back on shore we drove around the West Maui Mountains, the whole loop. Can I say - INCREDIBLE. It is a tiny winding road with these terrific views, like a surprise around every corner. One surprise was a big supply truck, we had to back up to a spot we would both fit through. Hubby was a great driver, he%26#39;s used to it from CO. How%26#39;d that truck get over those 3 ton bridges anyway? Brave! We saw blowhole but didn%26#39;t hike to it, did I mention it was a windy day? It felt like we were going to be picked up and blown away:)Didn%26#39;t feel like an Olivian pool day either. But now I wish we would have gone anyway. I highly recommend this drive if you aren%26#39;t a scared driver!

Day 3- We went on a PWF Whale Watch, didn%26#39;t see anything. Weather was warm but windy. I%26#39;m not complaining because at least we had no rain (10 mins. the whole week)Just before coming in we saw some sea turtles. We got a coupon to go on another cruise, but we never did.

After this we went to the Ocean center aquarium, neat tunnel. Don%26#39;t bother with the $2 audio guide unless you plan on spending a lot of time there. Each explaination is long, and things are written next to each exhibit.

We ate at the Blue Marlin, shared an excellent Meat platter for 2.

We drove to Iao Needle, a beautiful spot. And then on to Waihe%26#39;e Ridge trail. We had it all to ourselves. It was steeper that I expected and needed my hubby encouragement to make it. View was great! Just before reaCHING THE TOP A cloud rolled in and blocked our views, so we went back down.

Day 4- Road to and past Hana. Getting up early was still no problem. We went to Walmart and bought a new memory stick for camera. Things at Walmart are just as cheap as they are at home, nice surprise. We were leaving Kahului by 7:30. We stopped at all the close waterfalls starting with Lower Puohokamoa, got banana bread at ';Halfway to Hana'; yum yum, it was still warm and the loaf came with a plastic knife, how handy. Took a longer stop at Hana Bay. By now reading my blue bible while going around all the curves was messing with my stomach. I%26#39;m glad we explored there,we walked right to the Red Sand beach by walking around the knob at the right side of Bay. Another beautiful sight! The blue blue water crashing against these boulders and red sand, the water tricking back off the rocks after the waves...magic! We ate at TuTu%26#39;s which is right there at the Bay;s parking lot. Decent cheesburger. Off to Ohe%26#39;o Gulch (this is the one I was really looking forward to) It was more than I imagined! This is when we got the 10 mins of rain. We parked, it opened up and poured, we hid under a tree, it stopped and then we went on to do the Pipiwai Trail...recommend to everyone who can walk in mud. It was great! Views of waterfalls, the bamboo, and then the giant falls at the end...here%26#39;s another one of those moments! We drove the rest of the road, a little bumpy in parts but ocean views all the way! It really was a bummer when we could look down on our hotel, but there is no open road to it, so we had to drive another hour to get there.

Thursday- We took a circle tour of the island by helicopter. We saw the crater, waterfalls in the rainforest, shoreline, and west mountains. The best was the waterfalls, one after the other, all over, (another one of those moments!) We decided to skip driving up the crater, hubby wanted to see the redwood forest. The road said 4 wheel drive only but we made it in Petey. Ate at Prince Court that night it was a little too stuffy for us.

Friday- snorkeled by our hotel and then somewhere over by Ahihi Cove, maybe we at Fishbowl, I%26#39;m not sure. We had to walk over lava, but it didn%26#39;t take more than 5 mins. Snorkeling was awesome! (still windy) saw surfers just a bit to the left of where we were. One crazy dude snorkeling right where they were riding waves. Back at our beach we lounged on the beach and went out and snorkeled with the turtles. Cool! That night Warren and Annabelle%26#39;s show and Bubba Gumps, fun night!

Saturday we shopped and got on a plane to make our overnight trip home. What a trip! Lovely! If you haven%26#39;t been there, you%26#39;ll love it! Take a few warm clothes with you though. I packed for warm weather, but sometimes it%26#39;s a little cool especially at night, at least when we were there.

Any questions? Just ask.

just back, here's the trip report

Hello Aprildreamin - sounds like you had a great time! We are planning our wedding/vacation trip to Maui in late Aug/early Sept. We want to spend two nights in Haiku and take day trips to Hana (well, the first day is pretty much costco shopping and get settle after a long plane ride from Chicago! ). Do you think one full day is enough to see everything along the drive to Hana? How long does it take you?

Thanks.

just back, here's the trip report

Aprildreamin- LOVED your trip report. ';Petey'; is so cute! :) Love it. We are planning on hiking the Pipiwai Trail in Oheo Gulch next week and I am wondering what shoes you wore for that. Also, I want to see the blowhole up north, but then want to turn around- is that possible? Where does the northern road get hairy? Thanks again for a very entertaining report. A bit sad that we may not see whales.

One day was enough for us to see what we wanted to see on the Hana Road, but to see ';everything'; you would need more time. I was happy with our day trip, and we got home before sunset(around 5:30).

Herbal Girl- I wore strap around sandals with a rubber toe on our hike. They worked OK because they could get wet. I did get a blister though. Hubby wore tennis shoes and just took them off when we went into the water. We had a towel with us to dry off. He got no blisters. The trail was muddy, with lots of roots, some hills, so I wouldn%26#39;t wear flip flops.

It is very possible to turn around after you get to the blow hole. There are lots of turn around stops. But again I must say, if you keep going it is BEAUTIFUL!

Have a great trip!

Great report - thanks for sharing.

One question - you mention visiting the ';redwood forest'; - are you speaking of Polipoli Springs State Recreational Area?

Thanks for the trip report. I enjoyed reading it and you reminded me to go bid on my TEVA%26#39;s on Ebay. :~) Sounds like you had a nice balance of activity and relaxation.

Miney- Yes that is where we went. I guess it isn%26#39;t just a redwood forest, other types of trees were planted there too.

That is part of what makes Maui so incredible, such a variety of climates, vegetations, landscapes, etc...

Thank you for the great, detailed trip report. We have one more week to wait, after reading your report I can%26#39;t stand the wait. Sounds like you had a wonderful time in paradise. Just a couple of questions... How long did it take you to do the Pipiwai Trail? Is it a difficult hike? I am trying to decide what stops to make on our road trip to Hana. I have my Maui Revealed and Maui Mile by Mile marked with highlighter. But I don%26#39;t know if we will be able to make all the stops in one day. What helicopter company did you take your tour with? That is my hubby%26#39;s only request. He has wanted to fly in a helicopter all his life. Thank you again for taking the time to post this report.

April,

Thanks for the trip report, takes me back (it%26#39;s only been 2 months, but oooh! I miss it so much!) Only 10 more months til we go again! We also did the 340 highway, and we were on the outside! True, it is a beautiful drive, but my suggestion is to go clockwise on that drive, that%26#39;s what we will do next time! I wouldn%26#39;t go on that road if it has rained a lot, or is raining. There were some spots where some rocks had fallen, and they weren%26#39;t little pebbles.

Signed, Santy with a fading tan.

Aprildreamin,

Thanks for the reply. Polipoli is a pretty cool place, eh? Just the drive up there is an experience. When we visited last year, it was just us, the birds and trees.

I definitely agree with your comment about the diversity; Upcountry redefined Maui for me.

Thanks for the trip report.

Some asked about the Pipiwai Trail. Two months ago I hiked it with my 9 year old daughter and did not think it was a difficult hike at all. She never had a problem. I wore Tevas and she wore Crocs.

How do I clean a suede duvet