Travel Blog

Hawaii Series Part Five - Maui

After our tour, of the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas, Sarah took us to dinner at Pulehu, an Italian grill located at the resort.  We had a great table outside, the restaurant is open with some tables out and some in.  It was a beautiful night and being from New England it was lovely to be able to sit out and have a great dinner - on a February evening! 

Cynthia was our waitress - and you need to ask for her when you go - she was wonderful  and added much to our dinning experience.  She is from Canada originally…I find Canadians to be nice people!  She made everything on the menu sound good and suggested wine pairings to go with our dinner; but it was her enthusiasm about everything that was a delight.  She has a great smile and is attentive to all your dinning needs,  she gets involved and works hard to see that everything is perfect. While in Maui we returned to Pulehu and waited for one of her tables.  

The nice part of my job is meeting new people and sometime there is a connection, more then just a work encounter where you meet and then leave.  I was lucky that it happened several times on this trip at different hotels.  Our dinner with Sarah was fun and not just because of the wine, but truly felt like a night out with friends.  We started with Cynthia arriving with garlic & tomato bruschetta, crab cakes and crispy calamari - this alone could have been our meal.  Chef Adam Tabura come over to our table, he explained how he uses the freshest ingredients from local farms.  I’m not a seafood person so I asked what he would suggest, one dish was Chef Adam’s lasagna (bolognese, Italian sausage, spinach, mushrooms and pomodoro) the other was his spaghetti & meatballs, which was the best I have every had, yes spaghetti & meatballs!  The sauce was with fresh tomatoes and the meatballs were so light and tasty.  Really the best!  Cynthia kept coming with wines she thought we would like…and we did, it was a very nice night - yet there was more - dessert time which included tiramisu and warm chocolate cake!  We didn’t have any complants when Javier Barberi, the manager, came over to check on us.

Thank you Sarah, please keep my card in a safe place and let me know if you ever make it to Boston!

 When you’re in Maui stop by Pulehu, ask for Cynthia and tell her I sent you!

 More to come in my Hawaii Series..

Last Minute Cruise Offer - $299.00* per person for 7-night cruise

Cost Cruise Line is offering 7-night cruises in March for only $299.00 per person.  Rates include room, food and entertainment. Western and Eastern cruises itineraries are available.

* cruise only fare based on double occupancy, do not include the cruise fuel supplement, if any and certain government taxes and fees from $60.30 to $82.85

NOTE  -  NEW DATE

FOXWOODS RESORT & CASINO 

  MAY 01, 2010

Join me for a fun night at Foxwoods Casino!  Sit back and let our motor coach take you to an evening of Entertainment, Casinos, Dinning and Shopping…and yes there will be chocolate!

Foxwoods is the largest casino in North America, with 340.000 square feet of gaming spaces in a complex that covers 4.7 million square feet. If poker’s your game, Foxwoods is a charter member of the World Poker Classic with 104 tables.  Or try bingo in the 3,2000-seat High Stakes Bingo Hall.  After you count your winnings, sit back and take a nap while the coach driver takes you back to Marlborough. 

Package Includes

Round Trip Motor Coach Transportation from Marlborough, MA

Dinner Buffet Voucher

Gaming Voucher

Gratuity to the Coach Driver

And as always, chocolate on the coach.

Cost:  $35.00 per person

For Reservations please call:  1-800-710-8041

Coach Schedule

  4:30 PM   Depart Best Western Royal Plaza, Marlborough, MA

11:00 PM  Depart Foxwoods for return home.

IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES…

If you have a spirt of adventure and a love of  the outdoors…I have a trip for you!

O.A.R.S. a whitewater rafting and sea Kayaking company, is offering several trips designated for the single and solo traveler.  I have met George Wendt founder of O.A.R.S. and have traveled with his company, I was impressed by the dedication to protecting the environment and the high quality of guides.  George has earned the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Adventure Travel Trade Association and with over 40 years of experience he has set the standard in the industry. He has a passion for what he does!

No Experience Necessary!  Never rafted before - not problem; don’t have equipment - not problem.

Join one of these special departures and share your adventure with like minded people.

Contract Canyon, Utah - 6 Days   May 9  &  Aug 22

Green River through the Gates of Lodore, CO - 4 Days   Sep 11

Main Salmon River, Idaho - 5 Days   Jun 7

Yellowstone & Grand Teton, Wyoming - 5 Days  Jun 15  &  Jul 6 

National Geographic Adventure magazine recognized O.A.R.S. as “The Best River & Sea Outfitter on Earth” also recognized as having some of the “Best Trips on the Planet”. 

It’s time for you to Imagine the Possibilities…

Hawaii Series Part Four  -  Maui

 After our 45 minute ferry ride from Lanai to Maui, we arrived at Lahaina Harbor.  We disembarked the ferry in front of the historic Pioneer Inn build in 1901- if it looks familiar it’s because it has been used in moves for the old time Hawaii.  Located next to the Inn is the famous Banyan Tree - more later on this amazing tree and Lahaina.

We picked-up our rental car and headed for the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas, our home for the next few days.  After checking in, we walked past the pools to our two bedroom, ocean front villa … I love my job!  When we arrived there were two doors, we each took a door.  I entered the room, the decor was plantation style and very attractive.  The two sections connect to make up our two bedroom villa; each could be used as a separate unit.  My friend came over from the other section and said “you need to see this” well I thought my side was very spacious…then I saw the other side!

The Studio - the first side had the following:

fully equipped kitchenette

washer and dryer

Heavenly Bed (Westin’s trademark)

Heavenly bath and separate Jacuzzi tub

sofa bed

flat screen TV, DVD and Bose stereo

One Bedroom Villa - this is the second side with all the amenities of the first section plus:

a full kitchen

dinning room

separate bedroom

Big bathroom - and I thought I have a nice bathroom!

Perfect for families!  There is a lot of room and an option not to have all your meals out or at least have drinks and snacks for the kids.  We didn’t cook but it was nice to have fresh fruit, cheese and wine to enjoy on our lanai after a day at the beach, just a step away!  And if you have kids they are going to love the kid’s pool with a Pirate Ship and the Westin Kid’s Club.

These units would be a lot a fun for a group of friends.  We arrived on a Friday night and it felt like a Friday night with friends getting together - they have outdoor gas grills for the guests to barbecue while enjoying the wonderful weather.  Again, I kept thinking, this is winter!

After exploring our very lovely villa we met Sarah, from the Westin  Sales Office, who showed us around.  There was so much to see including the Workout state-of-the-art fitness center with sauna and steam rooms and the Heavenly Spa by Westin.

Located on the North Beach area of Kan’anapali the Westin Villas are set on 26 acres.  They have a beach walk that goes in front of the hotel to other resorts: this is a great place to take a late afternoon walk, looking out at the ocean, watching the sun set … and yes, there are more whales to be seen!

 Next dinner at Pulehu with Sarah…

What a difference a few days can make! 

A  few days ago I was looking out from my lanai (terrace)  at beautiful bright colored flowers, lush green vegetation and beautiful clear blue water…and now, today, the color is WHITE.   I’m watching the snow following and thinking about the people that are now sitting by the pool, walking or the beach, out on the golf course or out hiking…I know they are out there, I just saw them, I was one of them.

 More on my Hawaii adventure on the Island of Maui coming.

 Photos - I will be adding photos soon.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is addressing a problem that single cruisers have been dealing with for years.  The cost for a person traveling alone on a cruise can be as much as 200% more then a person sharing a room, often making a trip too costly for some travelers.

The Epic, a new NCL ship, will offer 128 studio cabins for the single traveler, eliminating the single supplement.  The 100-sq ft studios are a bit smaller then standard. If you are staying in one of the suites you have exclusive use of common space - with a lounge, private bar and two large-screen TVs, they call this the Living Room.  Prices start at $799.00.

They also have Private Villas and Family Accommodations.

The Epic will be doing a 7-day Western Mediterranean Itinerary

153,000 Tons
Length 1,080 Feet
Guests 4,200

I just read that there are 100 million single adults in the US and that 35 million adults take solo trips.

Hawaii Series Part Three – Lanai & Maui

We still have the morning to enjoy the Four Seasons Lanai at Manele Bay, our ferry reservation is for 2:00 PM.  Time to take a walk by the ocean and go for a spa treatment; then a last visit to the pool and our big decision of the day - lunch at the pool or the Ocean Grill – this did take some time - both with views of whales and dolphins.   I can’t say enough about the attentiveness of the staff, it was like leaving old friends, but it was time to continue the Hawaiian adventure.

Expeditions is the ferry company running between Lanai and Maui and is located beside our hotel, the Four Seasons has transportation to the dock.  The ferry crosses the Auau Channel; right through the area where the humpback whales like to play…we saw some on the way to Maui. The ferry takes 45 minutes to arrive at Lahaina in Maui.  Our Maui adventure starts!

Lanai has two world class golf courses, one by the ocean and one in the mountains.

The Challenge at Manele     -     Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay

Designed by Jack Nicklaus and built on lave beside the Pacific Ocean, the contrast between the green course and black lava is dramatic…and the ocean view breathtaking.  Signature hole, number 12, is 150 feet above the ocean – Imagine a 200 yard short across the ocean!

Course:  18 holes, par 72, 7,039 yards

Men’s Course Rating & Slope

Red          64.6         115
White        68.3         123
Blue         70.4         126
Gold         72.1         130
Nicklaus     73.7         135

Women’s Course Rating & Slope

Red          68.8          119
White        73.2          129
The Experience at Koele     -     Four Seasons Resort Lodge at Koele

Located upcountry in the mountains, this course was designed by Greg Norman and Ted Robinson. You experience playing through and around pine and eucalyptus trees; seven lakes, streams and waterfalls.  Hole number 18 is surrounded by a lake and number 17 is at 250 foot elevation.

Course:  18 holes, par 72, 7000 yards

Course Rating and Slope

Forward          68.1        123
Resort           71.6        130
Championship     73.6        134
Tournament       75.3        141

If you are staying on Maui, think about taking the ferry over for a day of unforgettable golf.  Imagine the Possibilities…
 

Hawaii Series Part Two - Lanai

Our second day at the Four Seasons Resort Manele Bay Lanai started with breakfast looking out over the pool to the ocean and surrounded with beautiful flowers. We were the guest of Shea the sales manager who showed us around.  She was a great guide with lot of information on both Four Seasons Resorts as well as island living;  she has lived on Lanai for awhile with her husband…if you meet her ask her how she met him, it’s a great story.

I had met a man in the pool the day before and he commented on the beautiful art work around the hotel; as you walk abound you keep coming to beautiful pieces of Asian Art.  We looked at different rooms, even the rooms back from the water have a great view of gardens and all the room were very spacious and have the same amenities.  There were lovely little gardens all around; my room was an ocean front room and when I went out the door there was a Japanese Garden.  We stopped to see the Spa; it’s a full service spa including some local specials; Lava Shell Massage, Ali’l Banana Coconut Scrub and the Pineapple Citrus Polish.  The Spa and teatment rooms were set up in a very inviting way and they offer so many services.

After touring the resort, it was off to the world class golf course – The Challenge at Manele an ocean side course where Bill Gates was married. Built by Jack Nicklaus every hole has an ocean view, Imagine the Pacific Ocean as your water hazard! We went out in a golf cart to see the course…breathe taking views, just beautiful!

Then it was off to Lanai City…when I say city I don’t want you thinking of a big place, remember this is the island without a traffic light.  We passed the gas station, I didn’t see any prices listed, but as it was pointed out it didn’t matter what the price was…it’s the only gas station so you pay what they charge. This was a small plantation town built by the Dole Pineapple family.  The other Four Seasons hotel is located here in Lanai City.

The weather was different then on the coast, it was cooler and there was a light mist. Also different was The Lodge at Koele, a grand country estate this lodge could be in Colorado, with its large stone fireplaces and high beamed ceilings; there are more pine trees then palm.  The Four Season’s high level of service and the smaller resort makes this feel warm and cozy.  We had a nice lunch looking out at the beautiful grounds including a reflecting pool and Chinese pagoda. This resort is surrounded by mountains and forests.

Yes, they have their own world class golf course -  The Experience at Koele.  Designed by Greg Norman and architect Ted Robinson this course is surrounded by mountains and lush greens.  The signature hole #17 plays from a 250 foot elevated tee to the fairway. Imagine going from one course to the other…what are you waiting for? 

You can stay at one and use the facilities at the other resort; if you want to split your stay between them you only have to register at the first one – you will then be transferred to the other property – it’s seamless.

After a lovely lunch with Shea we headed back to the Manele Bay.  We decided to leave the pool area and head to the beach, we were greeted by attendants who offered to set up chairs and umbrellas for our comfort…I’m going to hate to go back to my real life!

We had dinner outside, looking out at the pool and torches that are lit every night around the resort…a great way to end the day!

If you want to be active there is a lot to do  - swimming, world class golf, archery, clay shooting, mountain biking, croquet, horseback riding, tennis, hiking, lawn bowling, snorkeling, diving and 4 x 4 sight seeing adventures.

Next blog will be on our last day on Lanai and ferry to Maui.