More Fish Needed & Drippage

Posted for September 6, 2009
I got up at 5:30am to go SNUBA Diving. The dock for the boat is located about 20 miles away from the hotel at Maalaea Harbor. Check in at the port was scheduled for 7am. After checking in, the boat left port and we headed for the coast of Molokini. Including my self and the instructor, there were a total of 13 people SNUBA diving. Of the 13, only my sister and I were from my younger sister’s wedding party whom opted to SNUBA as the rest settled for the standard snorkeling along the coast. SNUBA is basically like scuba diving with the exception of having the Oxygen Tank attached on a small raft. The tube from the tank to the regulator (breathing apparatus) extends to about 25 feet and the raft floats along as you venture off underwater.

As soon as the boat anchored on the coast of Molokini, the SNUBA group was divided in two groups of 6. I joined the first group. I strategically joined the first group so I can eat and drink immediately after. The SNUBA/Snorkel package included an all you can eat and drink meal (beer included). As I got into the water I had troubles with my mask and weight belt. Water kept leaking in my mask and my belt wasn’t heavy enough. I signaled the instructor with hand gestures of my issues while under water and we both went up. He made the adjustments and I was good to go. I immediately swam into a school of fish and moseyed around under water. There were tons of sea urchins in which the thought of eating Uni had crossed my mind. I saw a sea cucumber and ogled at the coral. After the 30 min session ended we were immediately instructed to head back to the boat. As I got out of the water I took my regulator off. In the process, I spat out a large amount of flem/loogie that had collected in the regulator and in my mouth. When I got on the boat, my legs were a little wobbly, but I immediately adjusted when I got my beer and burger. The dive was cool but would have like to see more fish. Aside from the one school of fish, the water was bare; although we did see some turtles on the way back to the harbor.

When we got back to the hotel, I headed for the pool. I swam a bit and basked in the sun till dinner. I had dinner at Sensei with my family. Sensei is located in the Kapalua Golf Course 5 min north of the hotel. The food was fantastic. We had several different sushi and sashimi plates. On the side, I had Blue Fin Toro to my self. After dinner we went to the Ritz Carlton and had a drink.

With my cousins spending the last night in Maui, I decided to introduce them to Kalimotxo (cal – e – mo – cho). We meet up at my sister’s Suite after they got their hennas done. We finished 3 bottles of wine for the Kalimotxo mixture. They asked where I had learned it (Spain) and said they’d make it for their friends. They enjoyed their drinks. One of my cousins only enjoyed one glass due to his gastronomical issues caused from not being accustomed to a drinking marathon. He had sharted earlier in the evening and was feeling leakage on his tail end. (I’m laughing as I type this!)

Crispy

Posted for September 5, 2009
I had long day of swimming and basking in the sun. My face is burned, my arms and back sore from Surfing, Splashketball, and good old fashion swimming.

Getting up early to hang out poolside has become my morning ritual. I hung out in the pool all morning with a short 30 min swimming session in the ocean. My sisters, brother in-laws, and others all showed up at the pool. We had a great time on the waterslide and a session of Splashketball.

After hanging out by the pool and the beach, my family and I went to Lahaina for a surf session. On the way, we stopped by Safeway to pick up some snacks. I got some Fresh Ahi Poke, Pomegranate Juice, and Chips. The Fresh Ahi Poke was off the hook!

With my family taking lessons, I rented a board and booties from the shop they were taking lessons from and surfed on my own. I had a terrible surfing session due to the board I was using. I needed a longer board. I originally asked for a 7’8” board. The guys said I should use a longer board, so I pointed at the 8 footer. They looked at me as if I should go even longer. I should have listened.

After surfing I headed to Front Street to walk around a bit. Front Street is the main street in Lahaina that’s filled with shops and restaurants. I met up with my family afterwards and headed to Mixed Plate for dinner.

Dinner at Mixed Plate was ok. Aside from the ocean view, large servings, and the price, the food was just ok. The coconut batter shrimp was the highlight of the meal. The BBQ meat was just ok.

Shorter Layover

Posted for September 2, 2009
I got to the airport at 7:30 am for my flight to Honolulu with a connecting flight to Maui to follow. It turns out my flight was delayed till 11am which mean my layover will be significantly shorter. Flash back:

A couple weeks ago I received an email notice stating my reservation on my plane tix had changed. I called the airlines and they had told me that my connecting flight from Honolulu to Maui had been cancelled and was rescheduled to 5pm; so they went ahead and changed my itinerary to:

Leave SFO to Denver at 7am
Denver to Honolulu
Leave Honolulu at 5 for Maui

My original flight was:
SFO to Honolulu at 9am
Honolulu to Maui at 2:10

I told them that I’d like to keep my 9am flight. Why the heck would I want to go to Denver then to Honolulu? That didn’t make sense to me at all. They responded with, “You would have a shorter layover in Honolulu.” I then told them I don’t mind waiting at the airport. I’d rather be at the airport then taking a longer flight path.”

More at the Westin

Night life in Maui does not exist, in Kaanapali that is. The bars in and around the resort close down at about 11. In addition, the drinks are way over priced. But, I guess you’re paying for the atmosphere: a beach side resort with Tiki Torches strategically placed, a large man made pond with Flamingoes, Cocktail birds, Coy Fish , and man made waterfalls, located on an island with mild weathered ocean sea breezes, swaying palm trees, and clean ocean blue waters, with Hawaiian music softly playing in the PA system.

I went to bed early last night after having a long drinking day. I got up this morning at 6:30 and headed for the pool. I relaxed all morning drowning my self in my headphones poolside while reading up on my next trip scheduled for Thursday Sept 10: Argentina. I then met up with a couple folks and went to the beach for a quick swim. After swimming we headed to the Whaler's Mall Food Court next to the hotel we're staying and picked up a Hawaiian Panini.

I headed for the room at about 1:30 and got ready for my sisters wedding. After getting ready I took pictures with my family in my sister’s Room Suite. Located on the 10th floor (1 below the Penthouse), it’s got an awesome view of the resort and beach. One side of the suite overlooks the ocean in which it looks like the water is entering the room. After a few pictures I headed to the church for the ceremony located in Lahaina.

The ceremony started at 3 and ended at 4. After a several photos I headed back to the hotel for the Reception. Looking for the room where the Reception was to take place was a challenge. After asking around and meandering through the hotel, the exact rooms for the Cocktails and Ball Room was identified. I spoke to the host and she said there was a sign in the front lobby. I took a look at it, and it was a tiny sign that can be easily overlooked.

I met up with the DJ before joining my family in the Cocktail Area to set up my netbook for the Slideshow/montage. I forgot his name, but he’s originally from the bay and was going back to SF for a gig at MILK on Haight St., scheduled for Tuesday night. I completed my set up and met up with my family. I had a blast in the wedding. It ended at 11:30 pm.

Westin

The Westin in Maui is freaking nice. It’s located on the beach of Kaanapali. They’ve got an awesome waterslide and 4 different pools. I got up at 6am this morning and had breakfast with my family. After, breakfast, I headed to the beach and swam in the warm, clean, blue ocean then hung out at the pool. While at the pool, I raced a friend of mine for the fastest time down the waterslide and won. My Prize - a free cocktail! Drinks started at 10 am. Pic above is my Godson – Nico.

On the way back to my room I saw a gentleman in the lobby conducting a free Basic Ukulele Class. He also provided the Ukes for the lesson. I joined in and strummed along as he instructed a few keys. With the few keys he instructed, we played a few songs. I told the instructor I have a Student Ukulele at home in which he then asked if I wanted to take a look at the one he was using. I eagerly said yes. His Ukulele is double stringed and had a real deep tone to it. I asked how much his Uke is and he said $1500.

Good Weather in SF

A couple friends decided to host a picnic at Crissy Field today. The weather was great during the early afternoon then got a little chilly as the day progressed. I decided to take the Golden Gate Bridge back home, so I drove through 3 bridges today: the Bay Bride, Golden Gate, and the Richmond Bridge.

Giving Thanks

I hung out with the old crew last night and had blast. At the end of the night, I had a broken phone(thanks Rob), clothes that smelt like dog poo(thanks ginger), and memories of good times(thanks guys).