We arrived back in Tampa, our departure point, two weeks ago, yesterday afternoon. Bless Richard for his unofficial Taxi service and both delivering and retrieving us at the appropriate times.
I would like to say that it is good to be back in Florida, but there is always a part of me that wishes we were somewhere else. I almost don't like airports for the possibilities they present: I'm tempted to suddenly change my plans and catch a flight to Russia, or Turkey, or some other exotic destination, totally on a whim.
Jetlag has been a real issue for us this time out. Going over to Maui, we believe it was the fact that we took a daytime flight, that screwed things up internally for us. Normally we would opt for a night flight, so that we wake to our destination with some semblance of normalcy.
Even though we took a night flight from Maui to Denver, it was only 6 hours, and despite me taking a Tylenol PM to aid with relaxation and sleep, I think I only managed about 2 hrs. Waz thinks he got a similar amount. We arrived in Denver, after flying over snowy landscapes, around 8.40am, with a quick change to the Tampa flight departing at 9.40am. We just had time enough to purchase two single lattes (doubles are NOT good for us!) and eat one of the prepared cheese croissants, I put together before leaving the house on Maui, the previous day. We had each eaten a nut bar on the night journey, but it barely registered on the hunger screen.
Waz and I bought a couple of racks of ribs, a Greek salad and a Quinoa salad to take to the family (kids) for our final meal together. My son was late home from work, so the rest of us chowed down, enjoying the Costco ribs in particular. We watched our grandson's meal hour with much delight...he ate in his seat just long enough for the hunger pains to leave, then he was up and out and onto more important things, like playing....returning just long enough to down a few more mouthfuls, and off he went again. Normal, apparently. I seem to remember my two boys were rather of the same ilk...at least one of them was, anyway!
We managed a family photo or two before departing, but I wont be sharing it, sorry....I am however, allowed to share the kids photos...This is little monster at dinner time...both sitting and standing!
Straight from the shower to the dinner seat...
Of course, I put the latest information first...mainly because my memory works back to front...ha! you would never have guessed, would you?
Frankly, I don't remember which day we went down to look at the surf at Kanaha...perhaps you do?..oh riiight.....it was Tuesday, because we were on our way to pick up our host from the airport.
Well, the wind was blowing a gale and the kite and wind surfers were out in great numbers. The colorful kites are always fun to watch.
Kanaha Beach Park looking back towards Kahului and Wailuku. The waters here are turquoise, due to their white sand bottom.
The water was rough, but the kite surfers were having a ball.
We took Karen home, sat and chatted for a while, and finally, at 3pm, we decided to go walking on Thompson road again to allow her to have a nap, having just returned from Japan with 8 hrs of jet lag to deal with. We needed the exercise, but the rain was threatening, and we cut our walk a bit short, and decided to enjoy a coffee and sweet treat (we have had a few, this trip) at Grandma's Coffee House in Keokea (Kay oh kay a), sitting on the side deck, enjoying the breeze. The deck is surrounded by Coffee trees and Banana Palms...bearing fruit!
Mother nature knows how to combine colors, doesn't she! Love the bright green and purple.
We entertained Karen (host) to dinner at Kula Bistro that evening where we talked our heads off, and wouldn't you know it? People from my long ago past arrived for dinner with friends. I have loved these serendipitous meetings that have peppered this year's visit to Maui.
This was our second dinner, consecutively, at Kula Bistro. We had dinner with another special friend the night before. Waz ate the Rack of Lamb that night....declared it excellent, but at $38, a bit pricey! The two of us really enjoyed the large Lobster Ravioli with three good sized shrimp in a remoulade sauce.
Wednesday came around, and with our bags packed already, we were free to enjoy lunch with yet another friend at La Provence, in Kula. A short nap followed, for Waz and Karen at least, but I did some work on the computer, knowing full well that if I napped in the afternoon, I would not sleep on the plane.
Fuel top up at Costco in Kahului....where the line of cars waiting for their MUCH less expensive fuel at about $2.36 per gallon are long, and where the price beats out anything else Island-wide, where the most we found/saw was $3.39 per gallon...outrageous!...before braving the crowds to purchase dinner. This has to be THE most busy Costco in the Nation.
Maui No Ka Oi.......Maui The Best!
We left the kids house around 7.30pm after those family photos and returned the Nissan Rogue vehicle, which I cannot say we enjoyed. Our flight left at 10pm on the dot, Denver bound.
We aren't home yet....just back in Florida. We have some business to take care of, friends to connect with and THEN we return to the boat. Fortunately the weather is cooler...nice, in fact, at 75F... and though it is threatening to rain, we aren't bothered.
We are drawn to the South West Coast of Florida....The Sarasota area in particular. Lots of culture, boating, lovely beaches, a botanical garden worth visiting and not too far from Tampa Airport. Major airport connections will be in our future for a good number of years!
Well, that's it for now, folks. I need to go and prepare the Scalloped Potatoes for dinner. I have the steak in the oven...cold, of course, but at room temperature...because the dog is ever vigilant and I don't trust it if I leave the steak on the counter! You wouldn't either, after hearing the stories about food left and consumed by said large hound dog:)
TTFN...(tatafornow!)
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