The Hochmuths' Adventures 2014 . . . the journey continues!: October 2014

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Hawaiian Adventure - Day 8 - October 29, 2014

It started as a rainbow day - a complete arc as we made our way to Maalaea Harbor to meet up with Captain Jeff aboard the Trilogy 2. Captain Jeff is the best friend of Jason's uncle, Captain Tom. Captain Jeff had agreed to take us on his catamaran for a snorkeling trip. We started our day spotting huge sea turtles as we waited to board the vessel. Once on board we were treated to tea and hot cinnamon rolls - nice way to start the morning. We soon were under sail and on our way to Molokini, an island that they used for bombing practice in the 40's. It was a beautiful sunny day and at our first stop we snorkeled for about an hour. We then went to a second location, different from what was anticipated, because a large tiger shark had been spotted where we were supposed to go. After our snorkeling we had a delicious lunch of teriyaki chicken, rice, Caesar salad and rolls and then went around the other side of Molokini. We sailed back and had some ice cream for our dessert. Captain Jeff and the crew made this a special day. We then went back to Maui Beach Vacation Club to say goodbye and retrieve our suitcases. It was on to the Kaleialoha and shower time. The new condo is open concept with a balcony directly on the ocean. There isn't a hot tub and the pool isn't as big but it is really nice and we have much better beach access. After showers we picked up Karen and Aunt Shirley at the Westin, only 3 miles from here and headed to Hard Rock Café in Lahaina for the rehearsal party. The party was a nice opportunity to meet Mariko's family and friends. We had wonderful appetizers such as bruschetta, Hawaiian pork sliders, deviled eggs etc. Came back to the condo at about 10. We'll probably have a quiet day tomorrow just getting ready for the wedding.

The Trilogy 2

Hoisting the sail

Enjoying the ride

Contemplating snorkeling

The bow of the Trilogy

Molokini Island

Lunch - always more delicious when eaten on the boat deck

Under sail again

They're everywhere - even Maui!

Thanks Captain Jeff!

View from our condo

View from our balcony

Our living room

The kitchen although it's not getting too much use.

Our bedroom

Deb and Dave at the rehearsal party

More merriment at the rehearsal party

The Happy Couple

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Hawaiian Adventure - Day 7 - October 28, 2014

Birthday greetings Dad Hochmuth from Hawaii.

Jason and Chris went to do their bike ride down Haleakala today and we scoped out where the next few days events were occurring. We will be changing locations tomorrow
and our condo will be closer to the wedding venue and other activities so we are going to see where everything is and how long it takes to get there. That way we'll make sure not to get lost or be late for any wedding functions.We had a lovely afternoon exploring Lahaina and had an Ahi lunch at Makani Kai Grill. Then we went up to see where our new condo was. By the time we returned we basically had to turn around to head back to Lahaina. We had dinner with Captain Tom, Jason's uncle, at Kimos. Ron and I had the Seafood Cioppino - it was wonderful. Dessert was the Hula Pie which should be outlawed. After dinner we walked Lahaina again for a bit and came home since we have another early morning tomorrow. That's all for now.

Ron at the Banyan Tree

Lunch at Makani Kai

Seared Ahi

Exotic Birds in Lahaina

Lahaina Harbor

View from Kimos

Chris and Jason enjoying dinner

Ron getting into the Hawaiian spirit in his grass skirt!

Beautiful evening at Kimos

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Hawaiian Adventure - Day 6 - October 27, 2014

A lazy day today. Jason and Christine were going to bike down Haleakala but their trip was cancelled. Fortunately they were able to reschedule for tomorrow. Not to start the day off on a bad note we partook of some mimosas and then continued with some of the mango variety at a French restaurant in Kihei. After breakfast I came back and learned how to make a Hawaiian bracelet while Ron read and Chris and Jason headed to the Big Beach at Makena State Park. The condo had a little lunch get together so we had burgers and more mimosas - pineapple this time - someone has to do it and it might as well be me. :) A little swim and some reading by the pool rounded out our afternoon. Dinner consisted of fish tacos made from the ono we caught the other day. They were delish. Sorry not many pictures today - the photographer was on vacation. lol

Delicious Pineapple Apple Banana French Toast with Mango Mimosas

Jason on the boogey board at Big Beach

Monday, October 27, 2014

Hawaiian Adventure - Day 5 - Sunday, October 26, 2014

The Road to Hana

We were out of the condo at 7:30 to begin our adventure on the road to Hana. We are still here to tell this tale but the Pacific Coast Highway, which we drove last year from San Francisco to almost San Diego, seemed like nothing compared to this. This road is 64 miles long, has 46 one lane bridges and approximately 620 curves. The speed limit is 10 mph and at times that is unsafe. Our first stop along the way was to look at the colorful rainbow eucalyptus trees. They didn't disappoint. Next we had a short stop at the Wakamoi Trail. It had just rained and the trail was very muddy and slippery so we didn't venture too far. From there we took an unpaved road that led us to Homomanu Bay, a beautiful secluded spot. Next we went to the Ke'anae Peninsula, which was nearly wiped out by the tsunami of 1946. Only the immovable stone church remained. Here we stopped and had macadamia brittle, ice cream and bought fresh baked banana bread. Waianapanapa Beach with its black volcanic sand and the caves were next on our adventure. Needing sustenance to continue our journey we enjoyed Thai food at an outdoor restaurant in Hana. Along the way we encountered many waterfalls before reaching Haleakala National Park. There we took a 2 mile hike to see Makakiku Falls, the Banyan Tree and the Bamboo Forest. We were driving the last part of our trip after dusk, on narrow, narrow roads with hairpin turns and beautiful but deadly cliffs that ran along the water. It was a bit of a white knuckle ride for a while but Ron made sure we completed the full loop on the Road to Hana safely. Back home an alcoholic beverage - two for the driver- was in order. Our trip had taken us just over 12 hours but it was a trip we won't soon forget. While a lot of Hawaii is built up and touristy the road to Hana is stark and primitive.