Last day to tour Maui....So much to see! Maui and all of Hawaii were created from volcanic eruptions. There is still a 10,000 foot crater on Maui. Today, Peter and I drove to the top of the crater. It was amazing. The climb, in a car, is winding and quite steep. Cyclists also attempt the steep climb. With the climb above the clouds. the temperature at sea level may be 30degrees, but it is 0degrees at the summit. Unfortunately, today was quite cloudy, but we could catch glimpses of the crater. We think that a night at one of the crater campsites would be amazing...next time. We then descended in second gear to the base, and ate lunch at a lovely restaurant overlooking the valley. It was beautiful.
Driving back to our house, we stopped in the village of Malakao. There were beautiful art stores and clothing stores. Roosters and chickens were bobbing along. Life felt like I had just smoked a very large peace pipe, ya know....
Finally, we arrived back to our house, and Rick and Cindy, and Andy and Ken. It was time to celebrate Chinese New Year, with dumplings . Rick taught me how to fold the dumplings. We toiled with wine and the most delicious guacamole. the dumplings were made with pork, shrimp, green onion, and ginger. OMG,OMG.....that is all I can say. Dessert was rocky road Hagen Daas ice cream, which Andy and I devoured.
Adios Hawaii...I will return!
Friday, January 31, 2014
Thursday in Hawaii
Today was fabulous! We woke to birds singing their hearts out. On to our usual breakfast and the most amazing coffee! It is true Hawaiian coffee and absolutely fabulous. Rick, Cindy, Peter and I then headed to the beach in Kihei. Peter and I ran long the beach , watching the surf, enjoying life.
To cool off , we then jumped in the ocean,and had a great swim.
We then lay on the beach, with Rick and Cindy ,for a few hours. Hunger then took over. We all headed to a Hawaiian restaurant for shaved ice and fish tacos. Mmmmmm,mmmmm, good. Bellies full, we all headed back to the plantation for tea! And bonding time with the local black cat. For supper, we ordered Thai food from the local schoolbus. The food was amazing!
To cool off , we then jumped in the ocean,and had a great swim.
We then lay on the beach, with Rick and Cindy ,for a few hours. Hunger then took over. We all headed to a Hawaiian restaurant for shaved ice and fish tacos. Mmmmmm,mmmmm, good. Bellies full, we all headed back to the plantation for tea! And bonding time with the local black cat. For supper, we ordered Thai food from the local schoolbus. The food was amazing!
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
It's raining again. I have never seen so much rain,and it does not stop. Last night,Rick cooked these amazing pork ribs. We ate them in lettuce wraps with peanut dressing, grated carrots, pickled radish,green onion. Mon dieu, a taste sensation for the palate! All 6 of us ate as if it was our last meal.
Andy then thought to make trifle for tomorrow night. We soaked the pound cake in coconut rum, and then we added dark rum to enhance the flavour. Can't wait,for tomorrow night.
Wednesday morning is pissing rain again! Time to head to Lahaina on the south coast of the island. Lahaina is warm,sunny and very touristy. We find a mall of outlet stores and shop.
All 6 of us meet for lunch at Fleetwood's. yep, he lives here and this is his restaurant.
Pictures to follow....what a beautiful place.
We then drove along the coast , admiring the beautiful scenery and watching the surfers.
Rick served 3types of fish for supper; maui tuna,served raw and so good, Ono that was grilled with ginger and green onion, and, Opaka paka, another white fish. Andy served her Brussels sprouts, in balsamic vinegar , yummmmmm!. All of this great food was washed down our gullets by copious amounts of Pinot Grigio, and merlot. Dessert consisted of the fermented pound cake and trifle. It was all so delicious. I am now going to bed! Adios, my loyal readers. A demain.
Andy then thought to make trifle for tomorrow night. We soaked the pound cake in coconut rum, and then we added dark rum to enhance the flavour. Can't wait,for tomorrow night.
Wednesday morning is pissing rain again! Time to head to Lahaina on the south coast of the island. Lahaina is warm,sunny and very touristy. We find a mall of outlet stores and shop.
All 6 of us meet for lunch at Fleetwood's. yep, he lives here and this is his restaurant.
Pictures to follow....what a beautiful place.
We then drove along the coast , admiring the beautiful scenery and watching the surfers.
Rick served 3types of fish for supper; maui tuna,served raw and so good, Ono that was grilled with ginger and green onion, and, Opaka paka, another white fish. Andy served her Brussels sprouts, in balsamic vinegar , yummmmmm!. All of this great food was washed down our gullets by copious amounts of Pinot Grigio, and merlot. Dessert consisted of the fermented pound cake and trifle. It was all so delicious. I am now going to bed! Adios, my loyal readers. A demain.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Hawaii 2014
Hawaii 2014
Can you hear the rain? Peter and I are sitting on the porch, watching sheets of rain fall. The hibiscus and other tropical plants sway with the showers. We arrived in mauii on Friday to a sunny 80F day. The weekend was beautiful. Our house, that we are sharing with friends, Cindy and Rick, and Andy and Ken, is called the plantation. There are palm trees growing in the front yard in neat symmetric rows. I think that these trees are for sale.
Prelude to Hawaii ....on our way here, we attended John and Nicole's engagement party in Toronto on January 19th. Helmut walked his daughter down the aisle, at the Musket. Both Joanne and I gave greetings to the beaming couple. Both John and Nicole exchanged vows, and discussed how they tend to hurl together! Richard, Nicole's brother and the Musket chef,served an amazing meal of different meats, potatoes, vegetables and salads. No one left hungry! Both Peter and I are very excited about the upcoming wedding in 2015 in Newfoundland .
Calgary was our next stop. Rick and Cindy served us a delicious meal, which we ate with Alex, Amanda and Paul. 4:30 am next morning, we left for the airport for the 6 hour flight to Mauii.
The flight was wonderful, smooth and uneventful . We flew in over the mountains of the Mauii crater, that are 10,000feet above sea level. The airport was an open air concept, with birds flying around, and just heavenly Hawaiian breeze. After renting our vehicles, Rick a white ford edge, and Peter a grey Nissan Exterra, we set out to find Andy and Ken. Turns out, Ken had a little surfing booboo and will be playing tourist for the week. we all then head up to our plantation house in Haiku.
The house was built recently and has a wraparound porch . The interior really flows to the outside dining area and pool. There are 2outdoor showers to use and 3 bathrooms inside. The kitchen is large
And well equipped. We have all been cooking to different degrees. Rick has been creating wonderful sauces, and barbecued chicken,mystery meat dish(day1),and finger lick in' ribs. We have all supported the wine and spirits industries here. Andy even has enough wine corks to significantly add to her cork wall back home.
Saturday, Peter and I walked and ran the 8mile Kahakapao trail on the north of the island. The trees were very tall and reminded me of some BC vegetation. The trail was well demarcated and we met many friendly hikers and dog walkers. After returning to the plantation for lunch, we headed to the beach with Rick and Cindy . The beach was breathtaking , with the emerald green color of the Pacific Ocean, the pounding surf, and the velvet sand.
Peter and I celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary on January 26th. We ate lunch at Mama's fish house. Peter had a crispy maui ahi roll asan appetizer and I had crispy fried omaga cheek. Then, for the main cours, we both had uku, Hawaiian red snapper caught while free diving. Yummmmmmm!!!!! With full bellies, we decided to walk through downtown Paia. Peter found some Hawaiian shorts and I bought some locally designed dresses. There were surfers in the ocean,
Stacked , waiting for the biggest waves, and then balancing on their boards. Amazing!
Sunday night,we all played a mean game of Scrabble. Andy's phrase, " it's not the length, but the placement of the word?, that matters". Needless to say, Andy and Ken whooped the rest of us.
Monday, it rained. Our local black cat, who may be having kittens, was trying to get in the house.
We all headed to Kahalui and a beautiful shopping mall, that housed Macy's and Ben and Jerry's.
All of us had ice cream; Tina Fey's lemon blueberry swirl, banana peanut butter swirl, chocolate coffee bean ice cream, jimmy Fallon banana chocolate ice, and coconut cream pie.
We then headed to Zippy's for a wonderful noodle lunch. Rick cooked ribs on the barbecue last night,and they were amazing.
Tuesday, it was pi@@@ing rain again, and loyal followers, I mean torrential. Peter and I went for a little jog and a yoga DVD. Everything looks so lush. The hibiscus pink is so beautiful.
Can you hear the rain? Peter and I are sitting on the porch, watching sheets of rain fall. The hibiscus and other tropical plants sway with the showers. We arrived in mauii on Friday to a sunny 80F day. The weekend was beautiful. Our house, that we are sharing with friends, Cindy and Rick, and Andy and Ken, is called the plantation. There are palm trees growing in the front yard in neat symmetric rows. I think that these trees are for sale.
Prelude to Hawaii ....on our way here, we attended John and Nicole's engagement party in Toronto on January 19th. Helmut walked his daughter down the aisle, at the Musket. Both Joanne and I gave greetings to the beaming couple. Both John and Nicole exchanged vows, and discussed how they tend to hurl together! Richard, Nicole's brother and the Musket chef,served an amazing meal of different meats, potatoes, vegetables and salads. No one left hungry! Both Peter and I are very excited about the upcoming wedding in 2015 in Newfoundland .
Calgary was our next stop. Rick and Cindy served us a delicious meal, which we ate with Alex, Amanda and Paul. 4:30 am next morning, we left for the airport for the 6 hour flight to Mauii.
The flight was wonderful, smooth and uneventful . We flew in over the mountains of the Mauii crater, that are 10,000feet above sea level. The airport was an open air concept, with birds flying around, and just heavenly Hawaiian breeze. After renting our vehicles, Rick a white ford edge, and Peter a grey Nissan Exterra, we set out to find Andy and Ken. Turns out, Ken had a little surfing booboo and will be playing tourist for the week. we all then head up to our plantation house in Haiku.
The house was built recently and has a wraparound porch . The interior really flows to the outside dining area and pool. There are 2outdoor showers to use and 3 bathrooms inside. The kitchen is large
And well equipped. We have all been cooking to different degrees. Rick has been creating wonderful sauces, and barbecued chicken,mystery meat dish(day1),and finger lick in' ribs. We have all supported the wine and spirits industries here. Andy even has enough wine corks to significantly add to her cork wall back home.
Saturday, Peter and I walked and ran the 8mile Kahakapao trail on the north of the island. The trees were very tall and reminded me of some BC vegetation. The trail was well demarcated and we met many friendly hikers and dog walkers. After returning to the plantation for lunch, we headed to the beach with Rick and Cindy . The beach was breathtaking , with the emerald green color of the Pacific Ocean, the pounding surf, and the velvet sand.
Peter and I celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary on January 26th. We ate lunch at Mama's fish house. Peter had a crispy maui ahi roll asan appetizer and I had crispy fried omaga cheek. Then, for the main cours, we both had uku, Hawaiian red snapper caught while free diving. Yummmmmmm!!!!! With full bellies, we decided to walk through downtown Paia. Peter found some Hawaiian shorts and I bought some locally designed dresses. There were surfers in the ocean,
Stacked , waiting for the biggest waves, and then balancing on their boards. Amazing!
Sunday night,we all played a mean game of Scrabble. Andy's phrase, " it's not the length, but the placement of the word?, that matters". Needless to say, Andy and Ken whooped the rest of us.
Monday, it rained. Our local black cat, who may be having kittens, was trying to get in the house.
We all headed to Kahalui and a beautiful shopping mall, that housed Macy's and Ben and Jerry's.
All of us had ice cream; Tina Fey's lemon blueberry swirl, banana peanut butter swirl, chocolate coffee bean ice cream, jimmy Fallon banana chocolate ice, and coconut cream pie.
We then headed to Zippy's for a wonderful noodle lunch. Rick cooked ribs on the barbecue last night,and they were amazing.
Tuesday, it was pi@@@ing rain again, and loyal followers, I mean torrential. Peter and I went for a little jog and a yoga DVD. Everything looks so lush. The hibiscus pink is so beautiful.
- I am now sitting in a corner of our plantation house, watching our 3 men dice a cucumber. Ahhhh, vacation .
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Edinburgh days
Wanting to go home! Edinburgh is cold, grey, and rainy. We were surprised by how touristy that the royal mile has become. The sidewalks are very crowded, as in rubbing shoulders with total strangers. We queued to see Edinburgh castle but the line was so long that we bailed. Even then, we queued to leave. There were mimes everywhere, and bagpipes by the dozens. We ducked into the Gladstone museum, previously a tenantry, or boarding house. The house was 6 stories, a skyscraper in the 1500's.
Each room had a tour guide. One young fellow was from Halifax, and has just finished a Masters in International Studies from U of Edinburgh, and is loving it. Ravenous, we then headed to the Wedgwood restaurant on the Royal Mile. Trip Advisor and our hotel has recommended this place. We were not disappointed! My appetizer was a leek panecotta with a goat cheese mousse and parmesan crisps, followed by a main course of sea bass and potato puree. The place was empty and we took our slow time. Eventually, we had to leave and had to brave the pissing cold rain. Returning to our apartment, we watched !!!!!! Top Gear.
Heading to London tomorrow and St. John's on Friday
Each room had a tour guide. One young fellow was from Halifax, and has just finished a Masters in International Studies from U of Edinburgh, and is loving it. Ravenous, we then headed to the Wedgwood restaurant on the Royal Mile. Trip Advisor and our hotel has recommended this place. We were not disappointed! My appetizer was a leek panecotta with a goat cheese mousse and parmesan crisps, followed by a main course of sea bass and potato puree. The place was empty and we took our slow time. Eventually, we had to leave and had to brave the pissing cold rain. Returning to our apartment, we watched !!!!!! Top Gear.
Heading to London tomorrow and St. John's on Friday
Monday, May 27, 2013
King Arthur's seat
King Arthur's seat is an old volcanic hill in Holyrood Park at the end of the Royal Mile in old Edinburgh. The Royal Mile is bookmarked by Edinburgh Castle at one end and Holyrood castle at the other. Holyrood Castle is the Queen's official residence when she visits Scotland. Full of 'piss and vinegar, Peter and I decided to hike to the top of Arthur's seat, with a summit of 251 meters.
The wind was howling and the temperature was 10 degrees. The walk became a climb, and, with the wind, a tougher go than we had thought...but, we did it. Back up the royal mile for a pint and a pub lunch made it all worth while.
The wind was howling and the temperature was 10 degrees. The walk became a climb, and, with the wind, a tougher go than we had thought...but, we did it. Back up the royal mile for a pint and a pub lunch made it all worth while.
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| Gates to Holyrood Palace, Queen's residence |
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| Fixer-upper...chapel of St. Anthony, curer of skin diseases |
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| Holyrood Palace next to the green |
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| Yellow flowers that were everywhere |
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| Windswept Peter walking up to the summit |
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| Windswept Peter at the summit overlooking Edinburgh |
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| Pub at end of royal mile; people actually believed that the world ended beyond this point. |
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| Pub lunch, bangers and mash |
Sunday, May 26, 2013
More pictures of Edinburgh
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| Plan to eat here soon |
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| Where we ate spaghetti and Cod on George Street |
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| The Cobblestone Street that houses the Edinburgh Castle |
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| A happy Bagpiper |
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| The Royal Mile |
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