We were back living on the boat for just four days before packing our bags again and heading west to visit friends just north of Tampa. One of the reasons for this westward gallop was that our flight to Maui left from Tampa. As we had cancelled our last booked trip to Maui out of Tampa, when we were living on that coast, we had to go the same route, or pay money. Being cheap kiwis, we didn't want to pay money, so made the trek across the peninsula which is always interesting, given that we have to go through the lovely horse country that is Ocala. Green fields with white and black rail fences with grazing lovelies. No babies, that we saw, but we will hopefully see them on our return trip.
Staying with our special Aussie friends for a couple of nights was a great pleasure. Diane boards horses on their estate, so I got to go and have a nuzzle or two with a couple of them....one of which was very mouthy, trying to eat anything and everything. A very pretty grey!
We also renewed our acquaintances with their old Walker Hound and got to enjoy their new kitty. We always love having animals around.
Waz and I went into Tarpon Springs, to the Historic Greek town to look for some gifts...which we didn't find...mainly because we got side-tracked at Hallas Greek Bakery and Café. You cant pass that place by, and it was chock full of people making purchases of their amazing cakes. We had enjoyed a Giro prior to this, at one of the Old Town Greek restaurants, and that is now on our list for a revisit! Excellent, it was.
We ordered a Latte and a small cake each...small being the American variety of small, if you follow me:) So much for our efforts to NOT eat sugar! lol
Having fortified ourselves with cake...and it was raining by now...we went up one side of the street and down the other for a little exercise, all the while getting a weeny bit wet! ha!
Back at the farm...well, it is a few acres....we dried off and as Waz and I had visited the supermarket on the way home, finding there a large leg of Aussie Lamb, on sale, I proceeded to make a roast for us all. We were supposed to go out for dinner...but with the rain coming down, we decided to dine in. The lamb cooked to perfection and roast veges...yummy! It has been years since we have enjoyed a leg of lamb from anywhere, mostly because they are too large for the two of us, and it wont fit in our little micro-convection oven. This was indeed a pleasure to share it with downunda friends:) There was enough left over for two more meals...and in the freezer they went!
With that meal, Richard was bribed to wake around 4.15am, to take us to the Tampa Airport the next morning. I have promised some steak dinners on our return, for good measure, as he is to pick us up also.
Our flight to Maui went via Denver, which we always enjoy, and more so this time as we had one time passes to the United Club Lounge. Breakfast was still underway, and we enjoyed some cereal as our second breakfast for the day. I had made ham and cheese croissants for the journey, the night before, and those were most welcome, accompanied by a hot coffee at the airport. With a couple of time changes, our systems were a little messed up, and meals were when we felt hungry. The flight to Maui was 7 and a bit hours...pleasant enough, but I was getting a bit jumpy towards the end. We bought an onboard snack pack, which was expensive for what it was, but whose counting?
The approach to Maui is always a bit windy, and I HATE it with a passion....and for good reason. There was a decided drop, on approach, which had a few white knuckles appearing...not the least mine! but we bounced on the ground a couple of times before the brakes were jammed on as we neared the end of the short runway.
The makings of a lovely fine day in Denver.
We took a little time, after retrieving our luggage, to order a latte at the Starbucks at the airport...BIG mistake! $10+ !! WHAT?? accompanied by vows never to do so again! We were a little desperate for a good coffee (not airline) and some fresh air.
We had purchased and gone through TSA Pre-Check, end of last year, and it is fabulous...we go through pre-check line without waiting, at any US airport. Well worth going through the security checks first. We also signed up for express Car rental, which certainly made a difference when picking up our car at the airport.
A quick drop in on #1 son at work, as he requested, and then made our way to their house to meet the family. Somewhere there had been a miscommunication, and we missed them. No matter, we had somewhere else to be.
We had arranged another house-sit in Lower Kula, on the slopes of Mt Haleakala, and wanted to be there before dark.
We were so happy to find the house with it's beautiful garden, lovely down country views and cool temperatures. There is a good reason to be up country on Maui! COOL!
We are to look after a cat that lives outside, but seems to have made it's home here. Formerly feral...can one be formerly feral??? It is shy, but waits patiently for it's food, each day three times a day!
We have this lovely view to eat breakfast and dinner with. There was a lot of VOG (Volcanic Fog) when we arrived, and we couldn't see down country very well at all for the first few days.
Water lilies in the pond.
I have the wonderful task of watering the garden parts that are not irrigated. One of my all time favorite jobs. Gardens and gardening is soul food, and I have so enjoyed being out there taking photos, discovering all that our host has planted with much care for the style and shape and color of all the plants. Australian Tree ferns play host to orchids, Tilandsias, and Anthurium. Each time I walk around the garden I discover something new:)
We have spent the last week doing some gentle sight seeing to favorite places....mostly new to Waz, and surveying the wonder that is the Crater at 10, 023 ft, of Mt Haleakala.
On reaching the summit, we were delighted to see so many Silversword (Ahinahina) plants dotting the cinders. This is the only place on earth that they grow, so it is very important that they continue to thrive. This was the only one we saw in bloom.
We have been quiet people, mostly due to our need to rest....this is, after all, a vacation for us. Seeing Grandkids is fun and their parents as well.
Waz is feeling better some days, and others not. He has a lot of afternoon naps.
Family meals, and more to come this weekend, to look forward to. It is currently raining hard, which the county badly needs. We don't mind being holed up here with it raining:)
So, that's it for now. Our remaining days are limited, but it is nice to be back and with loved ones.
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