Sunrise, scrambled eggs, Peet's. Lots of friendly little sparrows coming for the crumbs of our toast.
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| Honolua Bay |
Honolua bay looked so good on the drive by yesterday that we decided we had to go there for snorkeling (it had also been recommended by a few folks). As usual, we got going early, arriving at the bay about 8:30. This was good because there is no real parking there, just a turnout that by the early afternoon was completely packed, with people parking anywhere and everywhere. To get to the beach, drive north to just beyond mile marker 32, and there is a sharp turn to the left with a turnout- that's the parking lot. You then walk down the dirt road, and through the gate that says 'Do Not Enter', through a beautiful rainforest with lots of epiphytes hanging down around you. You have to cross a shallow (dry at the time) creekbed as well, then you are at the rocky beach. There is a boat ramp that makes it somewhat easy to get into the water, though the rocks are pretty slippery.
The water near the shore was a bit murky, but there were fish visible the second we were in the water. A short ways out the water began to clear, and we found ourselves the center of interest for two schools of fish. We paddled our way along the north side of the bay, which was deep and sandy for quite a ways before the coral started. The schools of fish followed us the entire way, you could feel their wakes as they swam past. Neat! After our day with Ann Fielding, we knew pretty much all the fish we saw. The water here was a bit colder than it had been elsewhere, so we only stayed in less than an hour. After a break for water and some trail mix, we went out again to the south edge of the bay, which turned out to be by far the more spectacular. The coral formations were much brighter (just like the submarine ride (RIP) at Disneyland), and there were lots of fish.
By 11:30 or so the place was packed with people, so we decided it was time to stop the snorkeling for the morning. Given the opportunity and warm enough water I would probably snorkel all day, everyday. It's just so beautiful and relaxing (once you get used to it, it can be pretty traumatic if you are just doing it for the first time). I can't wait to come back to Maui to do it again!
By the time we had showered, eaten lunch, had a nap, started some laundry (one of the best features of the condo was the washer/dryer in the unit!), and had coffee, it was time to get ready for the luau. We were picked up at 4:45 under a steady drizzle (the luau is outside, so this didn't look good). The Hyatt is a huge luxury resort just a little ways down the beach in Ka`anapali. Walking through the lobby was like being in a combination high-end shopping mall (clothing, jewelry, art), art gallery (Asian sculpture everywhere), and jungle (the concourse is a huge open air atrium surrounded by the towers of the hotel). Certainly looked like the most authentic setting for a luau to us! Things looked even bleaker when we saw the miles long line! It seemed highly unlikely that that many people could see a show and have dinner with any sort of efficiency. The line moved very quickly though once the doors opened, and things looked up immediately as mai tais were passed out as you entered. We were shown to a table quickly (long tables all radiating out in a half circle from the stage), and more mai tais were offered immediately (open bar!). They hadn't even pulled the kalua pu`a (roast pig) out of the pit and I already had finished two mai tais, and was ready for a third. This was definitely going to be a fun evening! Once the dinner was ready, they started taking tables up to the buffet lines very quickly, and before we knew it we had our plates piled with Polynesian delights (and more mai tais!).
Just as the last people were settling down the show began. To catch our attention right away half dressed (by western standards) men and women came out on stage and danced a bit, then introduced a very Don Ho like emcee, who would have fit in just right in Vegas. The show had a little bit of everything- from the Maui waltz to Maori war dances and scantily clad 'princesses.' It was a bit on the corny side (mainly because of the announcer), but it was certainly enjoyable, and culminated with some great flaming baton twirling/fire eating. Even my co-worker's husband, who was generally opposed to any sort of 'organized joy' had a good time (the mai tais certainly didn't hurt).
Well fed and spinning pleasantly, we staggered to bed.
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Last Updated 4 November, 1999
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