It has been a long trip with these two kiddos and the end of the line is on a bust-shaped island called Maui where I grew up. I'm kicking myself for only leaving us 3 days here, but that's how it all played out and we're trying to make the best of it. There are so many people I want to see and so much I want to show them, but the reality of traveling for an extended period of time with a 10 and 13 year old is setting in. They are tired and miss the structure of being home. I could stay another month.
We arrived on Friday and headed straight for Maui Mall to sample some Guri-Guri. Kyra loved it, Christian could do without it. I feel like I've failed as a parent with him at this point. So sad! But I got to eat his, so I guess it's all good. Such a Minnesota boy. Yikes!
We drove to Haiku to meet our host for our time here. Facebook is such a blessing sometimes! After sending out a note on FB asking Maui friends if they knew of anywhere affordable to stay, I got an email from a high school classmate whose mom is prepping a cottage to become a vacation rental and offered it to us to use. This allows us to have a place to stay before her vacation rental business starts. Winning!
After a wonderful meet and greet, we packed up and headed to Sugar beach in Ma'alaea. It felt as if we were in a postcard. Sugar beach was absolutely empty. It was just us, the white sand, and the blue water. Perfect. Then Kyra got stung by a jellyfish. At least we think that's what it was. From my experience, it seemed to be the case. Although there were no jellyfish in sight, so who knows. She was freaking out so we ensued with the protocol that I remembered from my childhood. We had her brother pee in a bottle and put it on her burn. I can't begin to describe in words the hilarity of this situation. She was so freaked out about the sting, but at the same time so grossed out at the idea of her brother's pee on her skin. I couldn't contain myself even though I tried. She was half whimpering, half laughing. It was great. I still chuckle about it now and then. we rinsed her off with fresh water and got back into the car to head to a store to buy something better to help. She promptly got my phone out to google the proper remedy because she thought I was nuts for even suggesting urine. And the first thing she finds is that peeing on the sting won't help. Doh!! Oh well. I had to scar her teenage years, it's my job as a parent. We found some vinegar to put on it and then called my mom for more help. The remedy that worked was putting some chap-stick on it to keep the air from hitting it. All better, moving on! We haven't heard of it since.
From there we went to Big Beach. I'm not sure why I did this...from what I can remember, this beach was very dangerous for it's large waves, strong current, and shark attacks. It was getting later in the day and I just wanted to show them the waves from the shore. Well we got there, the sun was out, the water was clear and the waves were actually smaller than usual, but still big enough to blow the kids away in awe. I wasn't even going to go in. I was going to let them stand on the shore and put their feet in. Then they begged and begged. Well I couldn't let them go in there alone. So we went in for a couple waves, and it was so much fun! I was a nervous wreck initially because the current is still very strong and the waves very powerful if you get caught up in the break. So I gave them a quick lesson in ocean swimming safety and how to still have fun. We ended up catching and dodging waves until after the sun had set. Along with a group of other people (both tourists and locals) who were having a blast and staying in a group for the obvious fear of sharks. I had to drag them out, yet again, from the ocean and we headed back up the mountain to pickup supplies for our cottage retreat.
We have run into a few people from my past along the way, which has been a treat. I was able to meet up with an old high school friend with his kids at a park where the kids quickly became friends and had fun playing while my friend and I caught up. We will have dinner tonight with a few of my close high school girlfriends and their families and I'm hoping to make a few more connections before we take off tomorrow! (click on one picture to see all)
 |
| Leaving the Big Island. Lava flow contrast on the land. |
 |
| Maui from the air (Kihei) |
 |
| Guri-Guri! |
 |
| The cottage (side 1) |
 |
| The cottage (side 2) |
 |
| Ho'okipa Beach Panoramic |
 |
| Sugar Beach |
 |
| Sugar Beach |
 |
| Big Beach |
 |
| The cottage |
 |
| The cottage |
 |
| The cottage |
 |
| Our rental car |
 |
| Good morning Maui! |
 |
| Komoda Bakery! |
 |
| Keokea Park with our new friends! |
 |
| Keoka Park |
