Travel Blog

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.

The Hawaiian Language has 13 letters including five vowels and eight consonants.

First in a series of Hawaii Blogs from my trip! 

If you follow my blogs you know I had become obsessed with going back to Hawaii…well I’m now blogging from Maui! 

My friend and I started our trip in Oahu, staying at two wonderful but different hotels – The Royal Hawaiian and The Kahala – and had a special dinner at Alan Wongs.  I will get back to Oahu on a future blog.

Let me start my series of Hawaiian Blogs with the special and little known island of Lanai.  Only 13 x 17 miles in size and having no traffic lights…this is not a problem since there is no traffic!  Population is 3,193.

We arrived on an Island Air flight from Oahu and were met by a driver from the beautiful Four Seasons Resort at Manele Bay.  The driver took us on a road winding down to the coast for the resort check-in -  where the pampering begins with a lei greeting, cold drink and chilled cloth to refresh from our journey.  We were taken to our spacious room with a lanai (terrace) facing the ocean…this would be nice any time but during whales season it was wonderful!  Imagine sitting on your lanai watching whales and spinner dolphins playing in front of your room.  This area is where whales come to give birth in the warm water and play during the winter season, they were everywhere. 

We had lunch by the pool at the Ocean Grill looking out over the ocean…and the whales.  One of the things I love the most were all the beautiful and colorful flowers and lovely grounds; lush green lawns and vegetation, many shades of green and bright colorful flowers along side clear blue water that you can see right down to the sandy beach. By Jan/Feb in Boston I long for color!

After lunch it was time to change and head for the pool, where the beach staff does all possible to assure that you need nothing.  During the day they come by with fruit skewers, water, sun screen and ice cold clothes to keep you cool.  They will also spray you with Evian spritzers and clean your sun glasses…life at Manele Bay is good!  

They have beach chairs and cabana style chairs by the pool - No Charge.

Kid’s full-day program – No Charge.

Fitness Center –  No Charge

And No Resort Fee.

After a busy day at the pool we ordered room service, arriving with orchards on the plates. The pool water was like bath water…I kept thinking this is January!

I’m not sure how they do it, but in a very short time everyone seemed to know our name, they create a warm and comfortable environment where they seem to anticipate your every need before you do, you have to love the Four Seasons service level.

So much more to come about my stay in Lanai and the other islands I visited.

To all the people who said they were my friend,  sending me home with holiday cookies and candy, what where you  thinking and what was I thinking - I ate them!  

I’m going to Hawaii, this is the good news - the bad news is I have to take out my summer clothes, including my bathing suit, and see what fits.  I think I will just focus on the fact that I have friends to give me cookies and candy and if I have to buy a big beach cover up, so be it.

Hawaii is a special place! I have live in Hawaii and have been back many times to visit or take groups,  I’m going back to see the changes and what’s new, I’m a designated Hawaii Destination Specialist and need to keep up on all that is Hawaii.  One of the areas I’ll be focusing on is golf, especially the two Four Seasons’s courses on the Island of Lanai - The Challenge at Manele, imagine playing on a cliff with the Pacific Ocean as your water hazard…are you up to the Challenge?  The other course on the island is The Experience at Koele, designed by Greg Norman and architect Ted Robinson, with stunning views. I will also be visiting Hualalai the Jack Nicklaus signature golf course at the Four Seasons on Hawaii and courses on Maui…so many course so little time!   I met with the people at www.golfgurls.com and have a list of things to check while I’m wondering around the golf course.  Did I tell you I love my job!

I have reservations at Alan Wongs Restaurant for Pacific Rim cuisine, directions to Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream and will do research  on malasadas (Portuguese  kind of doughnut) and Hawaii’s famous shaved ice…once I buy that big cover up all will be well.   

I leave this weekend, I will be working from Hawaii, checking my messages and emails…so I will be reachable. 

Come back and check my blog to follow my Hawaiian adventure!   I’m also at www.twitter.com/imaginetatten  Please be my Twitter friend,  this is new, I will start sending tweets from Hawaii…I feel like a big girl!   

I’m Imagining the Possibilities… 

 Aloha

Baby Boomers have been known to cause change…well they are at it again!

Now that the Baby Boomers have more money and time to travel, the travel industry is looking for ways to capture this market. The Boomers, once again are rejecting what their parents did before them, they don’t want to sit on a bus going from one tourist sight to another with just time for a photo or two and a visit to the gift store. After all they have always done things their way; back packing through Europe stopping when and where they wanted to and taking time to investigate the area and meet the people. Not that they are getting older…but there is something said about a nice bed, clean bathroom and someone taking care of the bags, and I speak as a Boomer!

Two of the tour companies that have come out with tours for people who don’t like tours, to capture this market, are Tauck and Insight Vacations.

Tauck’s new division - Centurions Tours
Where travelers can immerse in the culture, shop in a local market for your cooking class; or hiking, bicycling or kayaking through the area. The groups are smaller, an average of 20 passengers, traveling in small vehicles - not big buses. Most important is Tauck’s 84 years of experience, which makes touring areas not open to the public and other special experiences possible. Think - more active, more culture and small groups.  Destinations: Tuscany & Cinque Terre, South Africa & Namibia, Provence and Costa Rica.

Insight Vacations - Select
The Select journeys give the independent minded traveler choices not available in past group travel. You have flexibility, you can join the tour when you want and you can leave when you want.  While on the tour an orientation sightseeing tour is included in each city, you can then tour on your own or take a Select sightseeing package in each city…do as little or as much as you want.. You can be independent while having the benefits of traveling with a group; travel arrangements, baggage handling and a tour guide to assist and answer questions.  European Destinations available. 

Baby Boomers want adventure, to be active, to participate and to learn.  The day’s of if this is Tuesday it must be Belgium with groups spending one night in each place, is fast becoming a thing of the past.  Thanks to the Boomers travelers are coming home with more then a photo of a monument they passed by on the bus!  Imagine the Possibilities…