Honolulu Day 15: Friday 27 September 2019 - Honolulu to Sydney

Friday 27 September 2019 - Honolulu to Sydney

6:30am wakeup - lie in bed checking FB. Think about going for a last walk on the beach, but bed is too tempting and my clothes are already packed.

8:00am breakfast - leftover pastries - too many - others are all up.

9:00am head down to wait for cab, which Kaylene has ordered.

9:44am the Hello Cab finally comes to pick us up - I think he went to the wrong hotel. Say our goodbyes to Daz, Jen and Christy, who are staying on for an extra day or two.

10:48am Pass through security and in boarding area. Buy Starbucks Strawberry acai refresher for myself and Kaylene.

LC buys roast pork and prime beef combos, so we find a place to sit and eat.

11:55am final toilet stop as we walk to gates.

12:10pm boarding.

Seats 40G, 40E for JT and I, and 42B, C, D for KC, LC and MC.

12:43pm taxi to runway as they play the safety video.

12:58pm up in the air.

Watch the rest of "Poms".

Lunch is meatballs, capsicum with rice, a pineapple cookie and apple juice.

Watch "Little"

3:55pm watch "Widows"

6:02pm watch "The Mule"

8:00pm watch "Breakthrough"

10:00pm watch "Penguins"

Served sandwiches and macadamia nut chocolate with apple juice.

11:30pm/7:30pm  Landed and still in the plane - they are quarantine spraying.

1:02am/9:02pm Home sweet home.

Honolulu Day 14: Thursday 26 September 2019 - D and J Circle Island Tour

Thursday 26 September 2019 - D and J Circle Island Tour

7:00am
8:45am have a cinnamon malasada for breakfast.
9:45am Daz and Jen have hired the car from Hertz, they have an office on the first floor of our hotel.

Daz drives, Jen is navigator and tour guide. First stop is the Dole Plantation.

10:30am - we check out the shop. Daz, Jen and Kaylene buy dole whip ice cream.  I buy a pack of dried pineapples and pineapple gummies. Have a quick look around, but don't have time to spend all day here.

So we head off towards the north shore. 

11:30am Haleiwa Beach - a crowd has gathered to watch turtles surfing and hitting the rocks at the beach.

12:30pm after we had no luck trying to find a parking spot at Waimea Beach, we head to the Waimea Valley and end up swimming in the Waimea Falls.  Daz pays for entry, and gets his mum and dad in as seniors.  Walk all the way to the waterfall. There is a kiosk set up and if you want to swim, you need to wear a vest.  I am so OK with that. Jen and Daz are already in the water. I slip and slide entering in, as the rocks are so slippery from algae. But once in, it's so nice. I have even forgotten to take my fitbit off. Kaylene points this out and helps me out by swimming it back to where Mark is on the rocks.

Next it's off to the food vans. Past 2 shrimp places, before we decide to stop at Romy's Garlic Shrimp farm.  Lily and Darren pays for the food.  We find a table and sit and wait. It's going to take at least 30-45min.  They ordered a pound of steamed shrimp with rice. 1/2 pound steamed shrimp with rice, edamame, 2 packs of garlic butter shrimps - includes rice and salad. We sit and eat overlooking the shrimp ponds. A passing cloud brings rain, but quickly passes.

Back on the road
Stop at Kahana Beach - check out the beach - do some writing in the sand, take photos.
Stop at Chinaman's Hat beach - take photos
5:30pm back on the road and head back to Waikiki.
6:00pm on the the highway back into Waikiki. Heavy traffic heading back in.
6:15pm Daz fills up petrol at Shell Station. DC pays.
Then he drops us off at the hotel, while he and Jen go to drop off the car.
Have a shower
Go down to LC's unit.
Head down to check out the farmers market, which we saw as we were driving back to the hotel.
I withdraw USD$200 from the Bank of Hawaii atm. I finally have some cash.
Buy a pack of taro chips USD$5 - no tax at markets.
Others buy pastries and sago pudding.
Head back to hotel and stop by Poke Bar to by poke. Daz and Jen are already inside eating.
8:30pm back in LC's room and eat our poke.
10:30pm back in room - packing.
11:00pm sleeping.

Honolulu Day 13: Wednesday 25 September 2019 - Waikele Premium Outlets

Wednesday 25 September 2019 - Waikele Premium Outlets
It's a rainy day

$10 return shuttle to outlets (JT pays for me). 9am pickup.
8:30am, we're out the door.
9:00am and we're still waiting for the shuttle. The small one fills up quickly. Wait and a bigger bus arrives. Lily just happens to stand where the bus stops and is the first one at the door. The driver checks tickets and takes no flack from the crowd who wants to push in. Form 1 single line and then he lets us on the bus.

When we get to the outlets, I'm the first to head to the Info desk to get the outlet passbook of discount vouchers.

10:00am - 10:20am Adidas - buy a white jacket and 2 shorts, navy and white. I also pay for Daz and Jen, LC and KC - so that we can use the voucher in the Outlet passbook. USD $121.37
10:30am -11:40am BR - buy 1 dress, 3 tops, 2 skirts, 3 shorts and manage to get 1 for free, which the cashier didn't scan. USD$204.21
11:50am - 12:24pm Kate Spade - 1 handbag and 1 wallet USD $146.45
12:40pm - 12:50pm Gap - buy a top for $5.23
The rain is easing, so I make my way to the van. No queues.
12:52pm Leonard's Bakery van - buy a 6 pack malasada - 2 custard, 2 coconut and 2 cinnamon for USD$9.63
Walk back to the building housing Gap, wait for Lily and Kaylene who are headed this way. Sit outside Gap and eat the malasadas. Mind LC and KC shopping when they head to Old Navy to have a look. I've already bought too much, so I don't go.
It starts to rain again as we head back to the other side.
2:15pm we wait for the shuttle which will pick at 2:30pm
As we are waiting, Jen discovers if you spend over $1000 using the Citi card, you can redeem a carry-on luggage. So we pool all our receipts and give her our cards and she dashes to the information desk. Comes back just as we are about to board with her bag, and find out that it's all suppose to be on the one card, but she sweet talked them into giving her the bag.
2:40pm we're on board the shuttle bus and head back to Waikiki.
3:20pm we walk back to the hotel.
4:10pm decide to buy poke from Poke Bar
6:30pm we head out with DC, JD, Christy, KC and JT for more shopping. Daz and Jen go for more food at Yochoko Alley.
7:00pm We walk into Sephora. KC buys her stuff. I buy tinted moisturiser for USD$18.
7:55pm head to Ross - Christy wants to return her shoes. End up buying padlocks and a pack of taro chips, JT pays. Walk back via RHSC and Sheraton, check out the shops.
Walk past Denny's - about to go in, but I open my big mouth and mentioned "pancakes". So they change their minds and we head towards IHOP.  Get there and find out that it is closed for renovations. So we turn around and walk back to Denny's. Christy orders a cheese toasty USD$7.99 and JT orders a nachos share plate USD$20 for the 3 of us.
9:30pm eat our meal.
10:30pm back in room. Shower
DC and JD get back. They tell us that they are hiring a minivan for tomorrow.  Pick up is at 9am.
11:00pm sleep.

Honolulu Day 12: Tuesday 24 September 2019 - Ala Moana Shopping

Tuesday 24 September 2019 - Ala Moana Shopping

7:00am get up but lie in bed.
8:00am update diary
9:30am LC, KC, JD and I head downstairs to the lobby for ukelele lessons with Caz.
10:25am head to Ala Moana.
11:00am get to Ala Moana - split up.
I head to Ann Taylor - but find nothing.
Look in BR and buy a top.
Head to Uniqlo - buy airism camisoles and shorts.
Go to Famous Footwear - buy a pair of Skechers sandals.
Buy Starbucks refresher - very berry hibiscus refresher - KC pays
1:30pm meet up with others for lunch in foodcourt - garlic shrimps and shrimp scampi pasta.
3:00pm go shopping with KC
Victoria's Secret - 3 bras - buy 2 get 1 free.
Pacsun - buy a sundress and a top for KC.
Back at hotel.
Check out Cheesecake Factory - but they are busy, it will be a 1 hr wait. So we try Duke's.  Also a wait, but Daz tries again and we manage to get a table.
7:19pm Dinner @ Duke's - shared Baby back prok ribs, Coconut ginger braised seafood, shrimp pasta, and salad. Endless summer cocktail (tropical blend of mango, citrus vodka with guava, coconut, and passion fruit juice)
Walk back after dinner
9:30pm shower and pack my shopping.
10:00pm bed

Honolulu Day 11: Monday 23 September 2019 - Waikiki

Monday 23 September 2019 - Waikiki

Rest day  and it's raining

8:00am up but lying in bed
9:30am go up to the pool deck to get some sun. Others join me later, but they only manage to just get a swim in. The sun disappears and clouds come rolling in.
10:00am it's raining
Head back to our room and have a shower.
Breakfast - is 1/2 a sandwich with ham, lettuce and tomatoes. Nutrigrain trailmix and a banana.
As we head out, it's raining heavily. Mark stays in.
11:00am we head to Ross. I end up buying a top, tennis pants, shapewear and shoes.
1:40pm finally finish at Ross
2:00pm have lunch in the RHSC food court. Mark joins us. Have Kazan ramen express - shiyo ramen USD$10, and Steak and garlic shrimps USD$12.
Kaylene and I got to toilets on 4th floor, on the way back, we get a Dole whip float USD$7.33
Check out Kate Spade. Walk through and down to the street level.
4:13pm Walk through the International Marketplace. Check out the Samsonite shop.
4:30pm - 6:00pm Nordstrom Rack. Buy tops anad necklaces.
6:00pm Go down to the stage to watch the hula show at 6:30pm.  Unfortunately, the traditional hula can't be shown as the stage is wet, but the other dances are still on.
Kaylene and I have a look in Pandora to kill time - bad mistake - end up buying Aladdin's lamp USD$90, Flounder USD$65 and Little Mermaid USD$65.
Have dinner at Paia Fish Market - JT pays from the kitty. We have fish and chips, deep fried calamari, deep fried shrimp, grilled salmon cajun style with home fries, coleslaw and garden salad.
Mark doesn't eat with us, he goes back to room - buys cheap food.
Walk through Dukes Lane.
Go into Coco Cove to buy mochi ice cream - queues are long at the cashiers. Buy a 6 pack USD$7.99 - 2 lychees, 2 mango, 1 green tea and 1 strawberry.
Have to eat it straight away as it's melting.
Walk into H and M - buy a skirt, dress and top.
10:30pm back at hotel.
Daz and Jen have arrived and are on the way from the airport.
11:00pm head down to the lobby to greet them. Mark acts as the porter.
Catch up.
12:00am pack away the stuff I bought.
1:00am sleeping.

Honolulu Day 10: Sunday 22 September 2019 - Ala Moana Shopping

Sunday 22 September 2019 - Ala Moana Shopping
8:30am walk down to beach with KC and LC.  The AVB volleyball competition is on.
9:30am back at hotel room
10:00am have breakfast - joong and bau.
11:00am walk to Ala Moana.
12:15pm walk into T-mobile - Christy needs to get a SIM card.
BR - buy tops
Abercrombie and Fitch - nothing
1:35pm Gap - nothing
2:30pm Ala Moana food court - get a Thai satay combo USD$11.99 for me and a Beef pho noodle USD$11.99 for Janet. Jamba Juice strawberry refresher USD$10.46
3:30pm Old Navy - buy top, winter jacket, sloppy joe, swimming bottoms.
5:00pm Ross - buy 1 top
6:30pm Vans and other shoe shops for Christy
7:00pm walk to Don Quijote via Target and Walgreens.
7:20pm Don Quijote. I sit outside and mind bags whilst I go in. They buy food to eat for dinner. Takoyaki is tempting me but by the time they come out, they are no longer cooking the balls.
8:15pm walk back to hotel.
9:00pm eat in room, Sushi, karage chicken, roasted pumpkin, brocolli (JT cooked) salad, etc.
10:00pm shower
11:00pm sleep

Honolulu Day 9: Saturday 21 September 2019 - Chinatown - Hoolaulea Festival

Saturday 21 September 2019 - Chinatown - Hoolaulea Festival

7:30am walk on the beach - see rainbows.
10:18am Bus 2 to Chinatown USD $5.50 for a day pass.
10:50am Just before our stop, a guy gets on the bus without paying and bus driver confronts him but he won't pay or get off the bus. Some people are in a hurry, so they get off the bus. Eventually most of the passengers get off and we get off too as it is only a short walk to Chinatown.
Kaylene needs to pee, so we walk to Maunakea Marketplace but the toilets are no longer available for the public to just go in, you now need to ask a store owner for a key.
Walk through the food court to markets.
11:04am LC buys rambutan for USD$3.50 a pound.
11:20am Pig and the Lady - walk in. Lucky we are early. Get a table and Kaylene gets to pee. It gets busy after.
Get a chanh muoi soda USD$4 - LC gets one too.
Share a Le Fried Chicken USD$13.00
Pho Bac USD $17.00
Crispy curried chicken USD$18.00
Crispy roast pork belly USD$18.00
The Pho French dip banh mi USD$17.00
1:00pm finish bill USD $123.04 ($150)
1:05pm buy char siu baus and joong from Sing Cheong Yuan bakery.
Catch bus back to Fort bus stop
1:52pm walk back from Fort
2:00-2:50pm go upstairs to members lounge. KC loses her lens cap - dropped over the balcony.
Back in the room, eat a bau and rambutan
LC, JT and I head down to check out the setting up for the festival, while others stay in room and nap. Walk all the way down to the Duke statue then head back - only tables and decorations - not much merchandise.
6:20pm catch the sunset upsti=airs at level 26 members lounge - not that great.
6:40pm walk down to Kalakaua Avenue for the Hoolaulea Aloha Festival block party.
7:00pm Line up for garlic shrimps. KC pays USD$29 for a garlic shrimp with rice and greens USD$14 and a mixed plate - chicken shrimp with rice, greens and pineapple salsa USD$15.
LC buys a chicken shrimp with rice and salad from a hotel stand for USD$15 which also includes a drink. Mark buys fish with rice, corn and pineapple from another and Christy buys a grilled corn for USD$7.
I buys a sarong for USD$6.
JT buys sugar cane juice 3 x USD$8 = $24.
10:30pm back at hotel.

Maui Day 8: Friday 20 September 2019 - Maui to Honolulu

Friday 20 September 2019 - Maui to Honolulu

6:00am wake up
Breakfast - manapua bau (char siu bau) and avocado.
7:30am out the door.
8:00am fill up petrol USD $49.85 ($#.979 at 12.528L) with citi.
8:25am car drop off USD$471.00. Lady at drop off is abrupt and not happy Jan. Checks petrol etc and gives me the receipt.
Toilet stop for some before we catch the lift up to the tram station.
8:30am catch tram to terminal
8:35am self check-in.
Bag drop. My bag is 39 pounds.
Security - take shoes off. KC gets bag checked.
9:00am buy maxi hibiscus navy dress USD$51.04. from DFS shop.
9:30am at Gate 13 waiting to board.
10:15am board plane. Seats 23E (JT) 23F (MT) 24D (MC) 24E (LC) 24F (KC)
10:25am taxi to runway
10:30am takeoff
11:00am arrive Honolulu.
11:23am Hello Cabs USD $35 pick up. Driver is Brian Hundao. Pay him USD$45 for the ride.
11:50am Imperial Resort. Checkin.
Store our bags in Lily's unit, her room 1406 is ready, our one isn't.
Walk down to the avenue. Into Cinnamon Girl - I buy a top for USD$65.
4:40pm Vera Bradley - buy 2 back packs USD$220 minus 10%.
4:59pm in Ross.
5:40pm still in Ross. My feet have had it and I am tired. Tell others I am going back to the hotel.
6:00pm get our keys to room 1910. Move our bags from 1406 up to our room.
7:00pm others get back from Ross.
Walk down to the beach to see the Hilton fireworks.
7:45pm Fireworks on the beach.
8:00pm walk to pau hana food trucks, but looks like they are no longer there. Go to 7-11 to buy food. They buy spam musubi and salad. Nothing grabs me.
Kaylene and I decide to get a large poke bowl to share USD$17
8:30pm eat dinner in room 1406
9:00pm back to our room
Put bed down - bed is in the wall. Janet is sleeping on the couch. We leave the main bedroom for Daz and Jen.
Shower
10:00pm in bed.

Maui Day 7: Thursday 19 September 2019 - Iao Valley and Lahaina

Thursday 19 September 2019 - Iao Valley and Lahaina

9:35am out the door
10:35am Iao Valley USD $5 for parking. Pay for parking, could park outside the gates but it's a bit of the hike.
Explore the valley. take photos.
12 noon leave the valley.
1:30pm Walmart. Buy Hawaiian shirt, wood burning tool, paint brushes, cords, snail glue, souveniers - landyards, face towels.
2:00pm drive to Lahaina.
3:00pm Paia Fish Market late lunch early dinner. 2 x fish and chips USD$13.95, 2 x shrimp and chips USD$12.95 and a garden salad USD$6.95. I pay for dinner.
4:00pm Ululani's shave ice. KC pays. Sunset Beach - passion orange, mango, guava - Ulu size USD$5.95. Local Motion - Li Hing Mui, Mango, Pineapple Ulu size USD$5.95.
5:00pm back at resort.
Go for a dip in the ocean, while KC snorkels. She sees a turtle.
6:20pm sunset on the beach.
7:00pm packing
8:00pm dinner 3 min noodle with wong bok and egg.
10:30pm bed - sleep.

Maui Day 6: Wednesday 18 September 2019 - Road to Hana

Wednesday 18 September 2019 - Road to Hana

8:00am prepare salads and bread for lunch. Slice tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber, avocado and butter the bread buns.
Breakfast is 3 slices of ham, 2 sushi and a slice of orange sponge.
9:00am out the door and on the road to Hana.
10:50am Stop at Twin Falls. Walk down the trail to have a look. Lucky there is parking in the first lot before the entry to the falls. As it seems to be filling up. Falls are on private property, but they allow public access. There is a food truck in front selling coconuts and other fruits and drinks.
Take photos at bottom.
12:43-12:53pm Pua a Ka a Falls - stop for lunch. Have burger buns with turkey ham, and salad. Corn and pineapple.
1:52pm pull in to Coconut Glen's ice cream. Get 2 scoops, coconut and pineapple for USD$7. have a couple of spponfuls in the car, before I head back on the road.
Drive past half way to Hana - pull over to stop, but there aren't any parking spaces.
Drive past Hana and the road gets narrower and not so paved.
3:00pm Kipuhulu Visitor Centre is part of Haleakala National Park - having paid entry fee 2 days ago, we can still use the same ticket to enter.
JT, KC and I hike up to the Bamboo Forest and the bridge at the top of the falls. LC and MC don't do the hike, but go explore the pools.
On the way up, we pass a lot of guava trees which we attempt to pick.
3:50pm get as far as the Bamboo Forest and decide not to go to the top, so we turn around and head back down.
4:30-4:40pm check out the Óheó Gulch and Seven Sacred Pools.
5:30pm Stop at Hana Bay Beach Park.
6:00pm Black Sand Beach at Waianapanapa State Park.
6:30pm drive back to resort.
9:00pm back at resort
Feet are all black. Need to wash my feet and shoes.
Have a shower

Maui Day 5: Tuesday 17 September 2019 - Haleakala and Kaanapali Sunset

Tuesday 17 September 2019 - Haleakala and Kaanapali Sunset

Wakeup at 7am, but lie in bed. No walking on the beach. KC goes for a walk.
9:00am breakfast. Chicken corn soup with macaroni and a slice of orange cake, ham and avocado.
10:00am housekeeping
11:00am out the door.
12:45pm Visitors centre. Buy a pin and magnet
1:30pm reach the summit.
2:10pm back down to the lower summit. Toilet stop. Do the Sliding Sands walk, but only the start of the trail. Take photos.  Mark has walked up to the Rocky Mountain walk. We can see him from the Sliding Sands walk. Head up to join him. Take photos.
3:30pm head back to resort.
5:30pm stop at Leoda's kitchen and pie shop. Buy chicken pot pies USD $10 x 2, Turkey pot pies USD$11 x 2, Vegie pot pie USD$10 and lemonade USD $4.50 x 2.
6:00pm -6:30pm drive to Kaanapali - looking for parking and beach access. I come to a dead end, drive into a hotel parking area to do a u-turn and end up finding beach parking.  Run down to the beach, but the sun has already set. Manage to catch twilight hour.
7:30pm shopping at Times supermarket in Kaanapali. Buy rolls and filling for lunch tomorrow.
8:30pm back at resort.
Discover I have received an email from Citibank - my card has been blocked. Give them a call. Verify I am overseas and still have my card. Snacking on chips, 2 pieces of sushi and blueberries.
9:40pm in bed.

Maui Day 4: Monday 16 September 2019 - Kahului and Haleakala Sunset

Monday 16 September 2019 - Kahului and Haleakala Sunset

6:00am wakeup to catch the sunrise.
8:30am walk on the beach with KC
9:15am breakfast
Drive to Kahalui to the post office to mail A. Joy's relative's fry pan. The things we do for friends.
After the post office, we go shopping at Target to kill time.
12:30pm leave Target and drive to Mama's Fish House.
1:15pm appointment at Mama's Fish House, which Kaylene made.
Drive in and they have valet parking, so we let them have the car to park for us. Oops forgot to tip the guy when I give him the key.
Start with complimentary bread and tomato soup.
Order grilled kanpachi and shrimp salad.
Mama's stuffed fish with lobster and crab baked in macadamia nut crust.
South Pacific blue prawns with huahine island vanilla.
Seared kanpanchi with kalua pig fried rice.
3:18pm $330 for lunch - JT pays cash. Take photos on the lawn of the restaurant. Get the car from the valet, this time we tip the driver.
Drive to the summit of Haleakala to catch the sunset.
Toilet stop at the lower summit. By the time we drive up to the summit, the parking lot is full and we need to park on the side of the road which leads to the observatory. We bring our jackets and something to sit on. Hike up and find a spot to sit and watch the sun set. It gets colder as the sun goes down. Lucky for us the clouds aren't too bad and we get a pretty good sunset.
7:00pm head down the mountain. Driving down in the dark. Following other cars down. Braking is hard on my knee.
8:00pm finally get down.
9:30pm back at resort.
Have a shower.
10:00pm have dinner. Macaroni with leftover sweet corn soup.
11:30pm sleep.

Maui Day 3: Sunday 15 September 2019 - Kihei and Makena

Sunday 15 September 2019 - Kihei and Makena

6:00am wakeup to go toilet
Back to bed
9:00am wakeup
9:30am walk on beach with others.
10:30am breakfast on the balcony. Cos lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, ham, orange sponge slice.
12:00 noon drive to Makena
12:49pm stop opposite Lahaina Cannery Mall for markets. Buy sugar cane juice for USD$5
1:39pm Papawai Point - whale lookout
2:53pm Paáko Beach (Secret Cove). Find a parking spot. Big waves and very hot. No swimming - too rough. Walk the beach with KC and MC. JT and LC go back to the car.  It's getting hotter and clouds have parted, and there is no shade.
3:34pm Makena Landing Beach Park.
4:00pm Kihei Marketplace - deserted, except for an Asian lady and her pug dog.
4:15pm Kalama Beach Park - big whale
4:26pm Times Supermarket - buying more groceries.
5:54pm stop in Lahaina. Park in parking lot. Walk to the big Banyan tree, go to the public toilets and then walk along the waterfront.
6:20pm wait and watch the sunset - take photos.
Walk the streets of Lahaina. Check out some shops.
7:15pm drive back to resort.
Snack on chips
Shower
8pm JT cooks pho for dinner.
11:30pm sleep

Maui Day 2: Saturday 14 September 2019 - Lahaina and North West Coast

Saturday 14 September 2019

7:00am wake up
Walk on the beach
8:30am breakfast - milo bar, slice of orange sponge cake, ham, salad, boiled egg, tomato, lettuce, chicken.
11:00am drive to Lahaina. Main street/ Front Street is closed for a kids marathon. Drive around to the free parking area. It is full. Drive back to Outlets of Maui. 2hr free parking if you purchase from shop. They give you another ticket which on exit you insert after the entry ticket. Would have had to pay $8 for less than 2 hours.
Go check out the kids marathon. Street is too busy. Will have to come another day. Check out the shops in the Outlets. Walk into Crocs - no buy. Walk into Kate Spade, LC buys handbag and 2 card/coin holders - get parking validated. Walk into Skechers - LC and JT buy shoes. Walk into BR - I buy tops and shorts.
1:33pm 15 min wait for a table. Lunch at Star Noodles, Lahaina.
Pork buns USD$12
Banh Xeo (Viet Crepe) USD$16
Garlic Noodles USD$13
Lahaina Fried Soup USD$14
Pad Thai USD$15
Singapore Noodles USD$15
Mentaiko USD$17
Total USD$106.25 - pay USD$125.00

3.00pm back at resort to change shoes and drop off shopping. Drive to the blow hole.
4:00pm Nakalele blow hole
5:30pm still at blow hole. KC missed the heart rock - had to go back down just to take a photo. Drive to parking area. Have to walk via a well trodden path off a golf course to get to the "teeth".
6:20pm Dragons teeth and labyrinth. Sun has set. Take photos.
7:00pm drive to Safeway, Lahaina for shopping.
7:33pm shopping in Safeway. Buy bran (JT) and Sambucco USD$24??
Drive back to resort.
9:00pm
9:30pm late dinner
Pasta, crab, sashimi, poke, salad.

Maui Day 1: Friday 13 September 2019 - Sydney to Honolulu to Maui

Maui Day 1: Friday 13 September 2019 - Sydney to Honolulu to Maui

Wake up early at 6.30am and wash woollens. Go for morning walk.  Get back at 8am and hang up washing. Have breakfast of 3 slices of orange sponge cake.
8:30am take the train to Macquarie. Arrive early, so walk around shops
9:30am -11:30am Hair appointment - get foils, roots, shampoo, blowdry - no cut. $160.
Shop in Myers and buy 2 Tokito tops
Shop in H and M and buy 4 tops to take on holidays
12:30pm Have lunch in Asakaze - Karage chicken bento box - lots to eat for $18
1:30pm Catch train back home to continue packing. Feel like I should have a nap, but still packing. Have I got everything?
4:30pm Take a shower
5:30pm Leave home. Sophia takes JT, KC and I. Justin takes MC and LC via marmars.
6:30pm - 7:40pm Dropped off at airport. Long queue to checkin - most of passengers are in line - not many take the option to self-checkin. We would but not sure about connecting flight to Maui, so we stay in the line. Lucky we have time. Very slow process. Finally get checked in, and she gives us our boarding passes for  the Maui leg as well. Informs us we need to collect bags and check them in at Honolulu. Our luggage goes through. LC 16.4kg, MT 15.8kg, KC 11kg, JT 14kg, MC 17.1kg
8:00pm New departure gates - take photos. Go through immigration and security.
Dramas with screening person breaking KC's water bottle - she had forgotten to empty it out. Not happy - KC wants to file a complaint. Go to Maccas - eat chicken nuggets - KC pays. I need to charge up my noise cancelling headphones.
8:50pm head to gate to board flight HA0452 SYD to HNL. We are in Zone 4, last ones to board. Full plane. Unfortunately, we have a stranger sitting in between KC and JT - no spare seat. Not many options for seats, as we chose them 3 weeks before flying. Should have checked earlier. JT 36G, MT 36H, KC 36C, LC 35G, MC 35H.
9:40pm  On board.
9:50pm  Up in the air.  Get served drinks.  Watch Alita: Battle Angel
10:30pm Snack - Roast chicken with sun dried tomato pesto and passion guava drink.
11:30pm after movie, I try to sleep - but seat doesn't recline easily for me, so sleep sitting up.
4:00am Watch Deadpool2 - not sure if I've seen it - I think I have - oh well, watch it again.
6:06am Breakfast is served - Fritata, sausage and tomato, muffin and fruit salad with apple juice. Start watching "Poms" movie. Don't get to finish it.
7:11am EST 11:11am Approaching Honolulu.
11:30am Honolulu time. Need to clear customs and immigration. Self check in - but I have problems with my fingerprints - even though self-checkin, still need to line up to get processed. Others go through first. I get fingerprinted at counter.
Collect bags and look for transfer counter and bag drop off. Ask staff and we get directed to counter. Drop bags off.
Need to go out of Terminal 1 and head to Terminal 2. So many lines, which one do we tack on to. Ask staff - directed to TSA Precheck which is all the way at the other end of the terminal. Get there and KC is told she needs to go to other line. Go through security. They need to check my mobile phone - drug swab.
1:00pm Head to gate. While waiting, we swap out our SIM cards in phone. Eat a slice of orange cake. Have some of KC's snacks.
2:06pm (10:06am) Board HA326 to Maui.
2:28pm up in the air flying past Diamond Head
2:47pm Landed
3:00pm collect baggage
3:30pm collect car hire
Drive to Costco for groceries. Buy water, milk, crab legs, etc. Lily pays.
5:00pm check in to Sands at Kahana


6:30pm watch the sunset - Kaylene and I head downstairs to take photos.
7:30pm we go downstairs for dinner at The Beach House Bar and Grill

Stuffed shrimps USD$28.95
Pork chops USD$26.95
BBQ ribs USD$25.95
Coconut shrimps USD$12.95
Wings (7) USD$12.50
Total USD$131.87

8:30pm finish dinner. Ga back up to our room.
Cut up pineapple
Rehydrate
Take turns using the shower. Seems there is a problem with the other shower - seems it's another tap we need to figure out, and we couldn't, until the handyman came in the morning and showed us how to operate it.
10:30pm Bed

Justin's Birthday

Thursday 12 September 2019

Justin's preference was for Pine Inn, so Lily and I went to order and buy the meals takeway to eat at home. Both Justin and Sophia were sick, so preferred to eat at home.

Ended up ordering 6 meals. 2 x pork chops and 4 x steak

I baked an orange sponge cake and added whipped cream, strawberries and blueberries as soon as I got home from work, since no one had bought any ice cream or a cake.  As it was baking, I got Janet to watch the oven, while Lily and I went out to get the food. Lily paid for the food.

Wedding of Jen and Victorio (Rio)

Saturday 7 September 2019

9:30am Lily, Mark and Kaylene leave to pick up food at Costco before heading to church.

10:00am Evan and A. Cath swing by to pick up Janet and I.  We arrive just before 11am.

11:00am The ceremony starts.  The church is packed, with people up on the second level balcony.  Jen is radiant, and makes a beautiful bride.

After the ceremony, photos are scheduled.  Seeing as friends of Jen are last on the list, the others head into the hall for the food. Lucky we do as it seems to disappear really quickly.

2:30pm head home to change, before we go to pick up Fiona.

5:30pm pick up Fiona and head to Seeto's

7:15pm dinner at Hurstville RSL with U. David, A. Cath, Evan, Lily, Janet, Fiona, Kaylene

Have shantung pork, eggplant chips, steamed seafood tofu, taro pork hotpot, seafood hotpot, fried fish with corn, oong choy and gai larn.

MsChief

Sunday 1 September 2019

Mare asked if we wanted to check out MsChief - a new eatery which was launched by Adelle Ly, the aunt of Poernomo Brothers (Creators of KOI Dessert Nat - Reynold who was on MasterChef)

So she picked Lily, Kaylene and I up and drove all the way to Crows Nest for brunch.  But the cafe only has a limited menu, mainly baked goods - not good when you are trying to go carb free.

Anyway Lily, Kaylene and I opt for the MsChief Avo Toast 🥑 - bread of your choice (all made inhouse) and then topped off with rosemary brown butter, smashed avo, heirloom 🍅 tomatoes, basil 🌿 and chilli 🌶 flakes, I add mushrooms too. I have a chai latte. Mare has a croissant with ham and cheese.