Aloha Hawaii 2016 part 7

Yup, vacation is now in full swing. We are in paradise for sure!!  Launching Pele rock seems to have improved our luck for a good time.  Bye bye Pele ...

Our last day on the big island was nothing short of a ton of fun.  Began the day at the ungodly early hour of 9:30... (Late in comparison to our previous adventures) treated ourselves to the breakfast brunch. Yum! The fresh fruit is amazingly good.  Then off to the sister property to the hapuna beach Prince resort, Manna Kea, right next door. BJ and I tried hiking to it earlier. In true Hawaii terrain, not really good idea. One thing to scale the hills and lava rock to get there, but a return trip was required. 

:D. 

The snorkeling was very fun. Due to high serf and rip tides, not really able to get out as far as we wanted. Better safe then sorry. A heathy fear of the ocean is a good thing. Amongst the marine life we experienced was an octopus, swam with a sea turtle and tons of colorful fish large and small. 

Back to hapuna, and into the pool for the remainder of the afternoon. So relaxing! The hanai are vacationing now. ( remember the definition of hanai?) ( that's us!). Enjoyed another breathtaking sunset while poolside having our dinner meal. 

Transition time - said goodbye to hapuna, an amazingly beautiful resort, to set out for our 3rd and final island, Kauai. A brand new experience for the hanai, renting a VRBO ( vacation rental by owner) Jackie did a absolutely fabulous job picking this home. It is really really cool!!  One much welcomed change, we cooked our dinner meal, devouring every morsel with a smile on our faces. After doing the math, it was $5.53 per person -- what's not to like! 

Tomorrow, snorkeling and dinner cruising. Stay tuned!

Aloha Hawaii 2016 part 6

Another day in paradise... Pele seems to have staying on Maui ... For the most part. 

All of the hanai ( formerly referred to as the intrepid travelers ) minus one, me, went back up the hill for ATV riding. They had an outstandingly fun time. Amazing ride through the rainforest and breathtaking views of the waipio valley. Our camera did not make the trip, see Facebook for visuals. :)

Today, treating you all a virtual tour of the hapuna beach prince resort.  Enjoy!

View out of our room 

A really cool spot to snorkel. 

Hawaii green sea turtle above the rock. 

Really... You are taking my picture ... So annoyed...

Would not be complete without having a turkey saranading us with his gobbling ...

Tomorrow, transfer to our 3rd and last island. 

Aloha 

Aloha Hawaii 2016 part 5

Paradise, simply paradise!  The big island is unique, very different to the other islands. Partly due to the multitude of micro climates and the fact it is still growing. Morning light looking out through the lobby ... Just breathtaking. 

The main event for the day .. Taking off in a helicopter!! So cool! Checked out an active vent, recent lava flows and lush green surrounding water falls. Where else on earth?

Take out lunch ocean side! So cool!!

Next stop, the volcano national park and circle drive around the island. The main volcanic crater was busy too. Fascinating ...

A stroll through a dormant lava tube. 

Day capped off with beer and sustainance a our favorite watering hole, kona brewing co. What a day, 15 hours worth, time to rest up for tomorrow we ride! 

Aloha Hawaii 2016 part 4

Days have past, Pele rock launched to new home, and we are now ready to really start our vacation!

Hanai clan split into teams for Kelleys surgery day. We are so pleased and thankful that it went well. Only the ball-proximal end of the femur needed to be replaced not the socket. Surgery began at 9 a.m.  It was nearly 5 p.m. when Kelley returned to her room. Remarkable improvement in her pain level and demeanor. Whew!  Teams 2 and 3 met with Kelley's social worker and case manager. They are very nice. The hanai can now leave knowing she is in good hands. Pele appears to have sated her rath. 

Pele rock's new home

While team 1 had the pre surgery shift, I spent the morning packing Kelley's and our things. But first, laundering our clothes....for those who do not know, Brenda fired me from laundry about 25 years ago. It is anybody's guess what condition our clothes are in or even if the right underwear got in the right bag... ;).  Driven as is am to be near boarder line OCD, packed one of kelley's bag to be checked luggage and her carry on with as many clothes that could be stuffed in it, to stay with her. (This is an important note for later in the story...) 

Bye bye Maui - bye bye Pele rock, our last night on this island

Transfer day to big island of Hawaii! One last stop at our, now very familiar route to Maui memorial hospital. Wouldn't you know it, we have mastered the intricate route in and out of the maze of multiple elevators, floors and wings just in time to depart.  :D. Said our goodbyes and well wishes to Kelley and off we flew. 

The hanai were all consulted as to how do we fold in another bag in our raft of luggage. It is quite a baggage drill to get 10-11 people and all our bags from one point to another. BJ and I were willing to take the hit for the bag fee when we came up with the option of taking it on as a carry on. $25 buys lots of beer, not to mention there are 3 flights to pay the fee. Upon arrival, confirmed it indeed qualifies to go on the plane with us.  Celeste generously took it through security with her .... The minute I got through security and joined some others in our group, it hit me... Oh crap, all of her liquids were in the bag that was to be checked. Celeste was left holding the bag so to speak... No arrests were made, but my butt is in the "puppy house" for a little while... No shampoo or oil of Olay etc left the island...

It is a stretch, our first stop was to the kona brewing company. Yum! Good food, cold beer. 

Perfect timing to now pick up, what was planned to be our 12th traveler. Welcome to the hanai Julie!

Amazingly beautiful accommodations! The hapuna beach prince hotel! Wow! 

Happy happy happy!!

Rest well hanai, for tomorrow we fly.  Stay tuned for more adventure !!

Aloha Hawaii 2016 part 3

......she's back!  Pele is not done with us. Pele is the Hawaiian Polynesian goddess of the volcano. Sadly she has erupted on Kelleys parade. This morning, again at dark o'clock, ( who can sleep past 5 a.m. when still on CDT ?!?! ), was helping Kelley navigate from one "throne" to her mobile throne ( desk chair on wheels) when almost down she went. Thank goodness she managed to catch part of the chair seat and not hit the floor. Yikes. Her first words were "what fresh new hell is this?".  She immediately was in significant pain, uttering those dreaded numbers, 911. Off we go back, to our now new pals at Maui memorial hospital. 

As you read yesterday, they X-rayed the left hip -- that's fine, the right hip is the source of the problem. There was no doubt after an X-ray on the joint, the ball of the femur is fractured. As the doc was informing us if this, it seemed surreal -- are we dreaming?, can this really be happening?... Kelley will, at some point, be returning to MN with a new hip. 

The intrepid travelers are absolutely stunned and doing our level best to take care of Kelley and get her in good care, tomorrow we leave Maui for the big island. First order of business this morning was Mitchell to launching that Pele big island rock back to its home here in Hawaii.  Pele done with us now ? We would be ever so grateful. 

This day really was one never ever to forget for some good experiences too.  The intrepid travelers, now to be honor our deep connection with each other as a hanai - Hawaiian for family related not by blood. A member of our hanai brought her mother's ashes to their final resting place. It was halfway up the Haleakala mountain. A breathtaking view of the island, water and surrounding islands. The service was so gentle and beautiful tribute. The sun was shining only on us. In the midst, we were visited by a Hawaiian owl, very rare. A totem ? Very likely.... Thank you for the honor to be in attendance. 

Between hospital visits, and getting lost on the mountain coming back down... a few of us attended (my very first) luau. Very fun! A couple Canadians at our table, eh? And open bar, what is not to like!! 

Pictures for your enjoyment --

Tomorrow, this big island. Pele stay here in Maui? Stay tuned to find out. Aloha!

Aloha Hawaii 2016 part 2

Dark o'clock   Seriously dark o'clock when our alarms went off. Check in time to get on the catamaran is 6:45 and an hour drive away. It is not light out until almost 7. The eager 11 intrepid travelers embraced this requirement in excited anticipation for a amazing day.  We had no idea what lie ahead... Was Pele somewhere in the midst?

The crew of the trilogy V were outstanding and well seasoned. Here we are treated with coffee, drinks, and scrumptious cinnamon rolls. Melted in your mouth. Yum!

Sailing away from Maui to the Molokini crater. Note the rainbow, another omen? 

Since my camera is not waterproof, not many photos from today's adventure. The weather was a bit active today. A front going through picked up the wind a bit. Depending where we were located, up to 40 knots. The snorkeling was not easy due to a bit of chop, but doable. Something new, they offered people to snuba. 4 intrepid travelers jumped right in and had a great time! Snuba air tanks float on the surface of the water, supplying air through a 10' tube attached to the diver. It was a ton of fun while snorkeling to watch the snubers. A new form of aquatic life.... :D.  Is Pele around us?

All aboard after a hour in the water, cast off and headed back to Maui. About half way there, when all of a sudden, u turned back to the crater.... Not all of the 11 were on board. Yup, our sweet Kelley missed the boat. Fortunately another trilogy boat was there amongst the other boats. We gathered her up and headed back into the wind in search of a calm water area near shore for round 2 snorkeling. Between the wind chilling us and the water temps, we snorkeled and snuba'ed for about 45 minutes. Back on board to sail around the now entirely white capped bay. Pele Pele Pele, please go away. Alas no such luck. Our dear Kelley coming across the deck in front of seated Linda and myself at that moment a huge wave rocked the boat and Kelley went down. Splayed and flailing. Lots of skin lots from the abrasive material on the deck. Pele? Linda hurt her knee and hand. She is doing okay. Kelley....hang on ... There's more. We docked, 911 called and off we go to our first trip by ambulance to the only hospital on the island. 

X-rays taken of left leg and left hip confirming a fracture in the fibula just below the knee.  Treated the wounds bound her up in an imbolizer, crutches and a script of Perocet and off we go back to Napili Point for the evening. 

Thanks a lot Pele.  Kelley is doing her best to be in good spirits. But wait, is Pele done with us yet?

Aloha Hawaii 2016

Where does one begin... As Glinda the good witch of the north ( more appropriately, Minnesota ...) said,"It is always best to start at the beginning."

11 packed and ready to go seasoned travelers setting out on another adventure! This time to the South Pacific islands of Hawaii. Little did we know what lay ahead ...  The first clue, unbeknownst to most of us, was one of our travelers had in her possession a rock originally from the big island. The task to be completed is to return it to its home on the big island. For readers who are not familiar with the lore that if anyone takes a rock or something from these islands, Pele will become angry and the person in possession of the rock is doomed with bad luck. Whether this is superstition has substance or truly lore.... There is no doubt, this 11 are true believers.

Right off the bat, found out when doing on line check in, there was an aircraft change, which you guessed it, changed 4 of our seat assignments. People were not seated together and a couple not even in the upgrade seats to which they paid extra. The gate agents did their level best to correct the problem so that we could sit next to our preferred travel companion. 

Here we are in Honolulu waiting to catch the wiki wiki shuttle to the inter island terminal. 

Successful transfer to Maui, in our rental cars,  ABC store for provisions (one of my favorite stores 👍🏻 !) 

After a little panic regarding making the required payments (another story), we checked into our rental condominium units. None too soon for a night cap and tuck in for a rest. Most welcome cause by this time it was nearly 10 p.m, Hawaii time. That's about 2 a.m. CDT .

Awoke to beautiful sunshine, Pacific Ocean and other islands in site from our lanai. Paradise! 

Did I mention our little cove is loaded with a whole herd of turtles? So cool!!  People went our separate ways a bit today. One contingent went into Lahaina to shop and a bit of lunch at Cheeseburger in Paradise. -- lots of atmosphere ... Then back to Napili Point to snorkel with the turtles and more. Note to self, it is in your best interest to try getting into and out of the water from the old lava rocky shore at low tide and on its way back in. Most were able to get in and snorkel a bit, the getting out was a whole visit with hell. That darn Pele rock. :(. Not worse for the wear, all successfully got on to shore, a few of us with a blood running down our legs, but smiles on our face. 

Tomorrow, we catamaran to the Molokini crater for lots of snorkeling! Keep reading! Find out whether or not the Pele rock will darken our day ....