Our story continues on Day 4...
4/12: Easter Sunday. We started the day with snorkeling, right at our own Wailea Beach. We found the snorkeling to be very good there (we did the left side), especially around the point and to the left. This was the only spot we saw turtles at, and they were amazing! One came up for air very close to us - we could have touched it but knew to just be still and watch!
NOTE: We were so disappointed that none of the great snorkeling places were open around La Perouse. We knew the Fishbowl was off-limits, but thought we would still be able to do the Dumps and surrounding coves. Our concierge told us that although some of those areas are still open for snorkeling, to access them by land would mean walking illegally on closed areas. They are only accessible by boat/kayak. She also said the rangers were out in full force issuing tickets. That was one of the big excursions we had planned as we all love to snorkel. :(
We thought about Easter brunch but were scheduled for the Old Lahaina Luau that evening, so we had a decent breakfast at Duo at the FS. Our 8-year old took part in the Easter Egg Hunt, but it was definitely targeted for younger children.
Our friends arrived this day at the Grand Wailea. We had seen this resort from the beach (it is right next to the FS), but it was fun to hear about it from them. The pools are much bigger and more kid oriented there, and you did need a wristband to swim there, which was a disappointment to my kids! They thought the resort was wonderful, although they did not like waiting in line at 7 am to get pool chairs (They waited in line for 30 minutes). In comparing the two resorts, Grand Wailea is MUCH larger and definitely caters to families with young children. It was much more crowded than FS. Although disappointed our kids couldn%26#39;t access the pool there, we liked the FS better. Much less crowded, and premium service/luxury everywhere we turned.
The Old Lahaina Luau was a good experience, but I would not do it again. It just felt cheesy to me (ex: the girls all wore plastic coconuts!). The food was OK (my kids didn%26#39;t like it), and the service was fun and good. I just don%26#39;t think we%26#39;ll do a luau again - too tourist-y feeling.
4/12: Woke up early to head to Haleakala. One group left early (2:30) to get to the Bike Outfitters - they were going to bike down the crater. We left at 3:15 am to make the drive. I must say this day was the biggest disappointment/mistake of the trip for us. The drive in the dark was a little scary/very long. We went all the way to the summit, but the sunrise was partially blocked by clouds. It was a beautiful sight to be sure, but not one worth killing ourselves to see. To make matters worse, our 8-yr. old got carsick from the drive and proceeded to throw up 5 times. We were not able to do any hiking (which could have been neat, I%26#39;m sure), so it was a waste for us. I have since been told that it is somewhat rare to see the sunrise in full view...don%26#39;t know if that is true or not. I would not do this again, unless I was into photography or was an avid hiker.
The bikers (Dads and kids) enjoyed the trip down the crater. I was very uncertain about letting my older boys do this (15 and 12). This activity always seems to get mixed reviews. They went unguided, which they liked because they had the freedom to go at their own pace and stop when they wanted to. We met them at Kula Lodge for breakfast, which was wonderful! Unfortunately, from that point back to the outfitters, both my older boys had falls on the side of the road. They were both pretty scraped up and bruised. Still, I think everyone enjoyed it overall.
We arrived back in Wailea by 12:30 p.m., where some napped and some relaxed at the pool. That night the adults had dinner at Kimo%26#39;s in Lahaina, which everyone really enjoyed. Nice and casual, beautiful view, good food. We then went to Warren and Annabelle%26#39;s for the magic show. Now, let me just say that I had been fascinated by all the great reviews this show had gotten, both in this forum and in the guidebooks. I could not imagine how it could be so good, and I%26#39;m not into magic at all. But it was great! The Annabelle part (ghost at the piano playing your requests) didn%26#39;t do anything for me, but Warren and his show was amazing. It was such a small venue (75 or so?), and everyone was very involved in the show. I have not laughed that hard in a long time. The magic was definitely impressive, and I would highly recommend this to anyone! Beware - you MUST have your ID with you. One in our party (she%26#39;s 42) left her purse at the hotel, and we had to beg for them to let her in. It is too bad kids are not allowed, for our kids would have just loved this show. They say it%26#39;s because of their liquor licensing, but I don%26#39;t know how they would be any different from a restaurant where alcohol is served...
Next up - Road to Hana, Trilogy excursion to Lanai, and surfing lessons. But those will have to come in Part Three! Thanks for reading, everyone!
Our Maui Vacation, Part Two!
Oops! Sounds like 4/12 was a very long day, but the second should actually be 4/13. :)
Our Maui Vacation, Part Two!
Really great report! I%26#39;m glad to know that there is one other person out there who didn%26#39;t find Haleakala to be a ';life-altering'; experience! HA Sounds like a wonderful trip.
Looking forward to more.
Keep %26#39;em coming! Great report - Thumbs up on the concierge for giving you up to date info on the LaPerouse area! I am sorry there were some problems with the Haleakala trip.
Glad you enjoyed the Magic Show! SOmeone was just asking about it. Some places do have tighter restrictions of admittance. I am definitely a long way past 21 and many places we like to go here in WA also absolutely require id - no if%26#39;s ands or but%26#39;s.
I look forwards to Part 3.
mahalo
Bound,
I appreciate the trip report. I remember ';talking';to you about Warren and Annabelle before you went and I%26#39;m glad you enjoyed it. You%26#39;re right it is a shame about not letting kids in. It is certainly a good time.
I%26#39;m looking forward to you next installment!!
You could have snorkeled the ';dumps'; It is a very good alternative to Fish Bowl. We went several times in early April. From the rough parking lot right after Ahihi cove, it is about a 5 minute walk down a well marked and authorized path to a black sand (actually smooth black rocks) beach. There is an easy entrance area and a huge area to snorkel with many fish. Sorry you missed it.
gja:
I would have loved that...it was top on our list of things to do. I wish my concierge would have known what you know! =)
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