We're hanging out on Maui for a week,, just relaxing and snorkeling. If you've never been there, I highly recommend it. It's my favorite of all the Hawaiian islands.
On Maui, their pigeons are chickens. That is, the dominant bird running around under foot, looking for crumbs, is the chicken. We went to a pub for dinner and this chap greeted us when we sat down.
The light was from the wrong side, so you're not seeing his handsome face and feathers.
I'm really looking forward to using the Go Pro 9 when snorkeling on this trip. I hope to have some good videos to share soon.
KT's Maui Tips
- Get a condo in Kihei. Kihei is a bit blue collar, but it's inexpensive and perfectly located. Plenty of great beaches and snorkeling spots and the drive into the jungles on the wet side is easy. We've tried some of the resorts and they're overrated.
- Buy food at the grocery store and make breakfast and dinner yourself. The restaurants here are mediocre at best. You can save a ton of money and do just as well if not better at home.
- Snorkel in the morning. By afternoon, the wind has kicked up and the ocean is rough and murky.
- You can't go wrong at Ulua Beach. Easy access and a great reef. It's the perfect place for beginners.
- Pay for your gear. That is, don't buy cheap masks and fins. If you have to buy when you get here, be prepared to pay a premium. Get fitted and try lots of masks. A bad mask will ruin your day at the beach. Also, use the defogger stuff. Yes, I know it's probably just watered-down dish detergent, but a foggy mask will detract from your enjoyment of the water.
- In the afternoon, when it's too rough for the water, drive over to the wet side and take the road to Hana down to where you find a hiking trail or two and walk in the jungle. I won't do Hana itself any more because the road is getting washed away and it's starting to spook me.
- On the wet side, you can also find beaches where the turtles come to bask in the sun. That's way cool.
- I'll leave the swimming with the turtles for a post later this week. There's a beach up Lahaina way where they're plentiful in the water. I don't remember it right now and it's time to make my breakfast Spam.
- And yes, eat some Spam. When in Hawaii, do as the Hawaiians do!
Aloha!
Chickens are fine, better than pigeons. And once the hens get accustomed to people they can be downright sociable. My daughter's chickens like to wander around the yard and garden with her, eating bugs. Although you have to watch out for some of the roosters, they can be mean buggers and grow two-inch spikes on their heels that can take your eye out.
ReplyDeleteYour point about going to the grocery store to buy food and cooking for yourself is a good one no matter where you have traveled to. Restaurants are way too pricey to eat at more than occasionally, and in my opinion they are all pretty much over-rated. And the grocery stores have all the regional foods, too. When we were in Australia, the grocery stores had all sorts of stuff that we would never find here at home.
We were up at Honoloa Bay today and saw a young lady feeding some of the local chickens, like you'd feed sparrows. They were all in on it. Cute and charming all the way.
ReplyDeleteAs for the cooking, I'm learning that you ought to come with a couple of recipes in mind, at least for the first few days. That keeps you from buying things you won't eat by the end of the vacation.
Since you’ve brought up Spam...
ReplyDeleteMrs Ohioan cuts it up into 1/4” cubes, fries it (along with diced up Louisiana Hot Sausage), and puts into her jambalaya. I guess that makes it southern Hawaiian food.
We are back from our trip to Idaho. My son is starting grad school out there in August, so he had a tour of part of the Idaho National Lab, and of the campus lab. WE tagged along for the general campus tour. Also did some hiking out at Craters of the Moon National Park, which was really cool. And we had a couple hours Tuesday to go to Antelope Island State Park at the Great Salt Lake.
ReplyDeleteAnd I just want to say, as bad as air travel is, it is 10 times worse, having to wear a mask. I nearly got sick on take offs and landings in Salt Lake City.