Finding My Beach

Kaanapali and Lahaina
(Ninth of a Series)

Days 5 and 6 - December 19 and 20, 2013


Returning from our Hana Highway drive, we continued to West Maui and checked into Aston Maui Kaanapali Villas.  While this resort is different from our previous accommodation, it's still homey and comfortable nonetheless. Our hotel room, though much simpler and needed updating, is spacious with two queen beds, a dining table for four, and a small balcony with a view. And this time, we have a kitchen! It's stocked with all the utensils you could ever need. The boys were so excited that after dinner, we went to buy groceries for breakfast the next day.

The next morning (before our Kahoma Ranch adventure), I made scrambled eggs and bacon that the boys have been craving. I opted for a traditional Hawaiian breakfast with Portuguese sausage, my favorite passion fruit/guava juice and some banana bread that we bought from the Halfway to Hana store. So satisfying!

Then we were ready to do more fun stuff. The good thing about staying in Aston Maui Kaanapali Villas is that it fronts the famous beach of Kaanapali. All we needed to do was bring our oversized towels, walk a few steps, and then settle into our chosen spot in the beach.

After 5 straight days of activities, we decided today was going to be a just-lounge-on-the-beach day.

This is what Hawaii is all about.  Just relaxing and kicking back.

Pretty good waves out there.

Hang loose. I found my beach!

Staying in Aston Maui Kaanapali Villas also made it so easy to access Front Street in Lahaina where all the restaurants, shops, and all the action can be found.

The historic town Lahaina is a hot spot for restaurants, shops, and art galleries.

Shopping along Front Street in Lahaina. He got some more authentic Red Dirt T-shirts.

Alan wanted to get more of his favorite Original Red Dirt T-shirts. So we stopped at that store and chanced upon the owner himself, Randy Williams! Inside the store was a TV playing a video loop of Mike Rowe's Dirty Jobs episode about Randy's red dirt shirts. It wasn't until I saw the video that I recognized him. While Alan was browsing, Trevor and I enjoyed chatting with Randy. He regaled us with behind-the-scenes stories of the video. Really nice guy.

After some souvenir shopping, we went to Kimo's for dinner.  This is where I had the delicious glazed and baked "opakapaka" or pink snapper. We had a wonderful time here. Food was great, ambience delightful, and the local band's music was really good! 

Kimo's is also known for its gigantic Hula Pie dessert.

A little throwback: That's Trevor and me in 2000 when we ate at Kimo's during our first Maui visit.

Other places we visited during this trip:

Whaler's General Store - I know that ABC Stores and Hilo Hattie's are very popular for souvenirs and Hawaiian made items, but don't miss this store in Front Street. They have unique offerings that are worth checking out.

Aloha Mixed Plate - To get my Hawaiian fix, I had the traditional Lau Lau -- pork wrapped in Taro leaves and steamed in an underground oven -- and a side of Lomi Lomi or salted salmon tossed with local tomatoes and Maui onions. What I really wanted to order was the Ali'i Plate which includes Lau Lau, Kalua pork and cabbage, Lomi Lomi Salmon, Poi, Macaroni Salad, Rice and Haupia for dessert. But that sounded a bit heavy for dinner.

Fu Lin Chinese Restaurant - One of our fellow Kahoma Ranch adventurers talked us into going here.  She said the Chinese food here is really good... and she was right. The young waiter who attended to us was so nice and gracious too.

Honu Seafood and Pizza - This was our first restaurant choice when we arrived here but they were closed for a private party. Ugh! Thankfully, we had another chance. It's a very cute restaurant and they have a menu with gluten free options.  You ought to try the Crab Mac n' Cheese!

Castaway Cafe - Fellow guests of Aston Maui Kaanapali Villas were raving about this cafe on site. We decided to give it a shot before checking out. We took a table in the outdoor patio overlooking the ocean. There I leisurely enjoyed my late lunch and my Mai Tai. Then off to our next hotel venue.  I guess this season is a bit popular and so Alan had to book our stay into 3 different resorts.


This story was continued from Clouds of Red and Chasing Double Rainbows. The last remaining stories of this series coming up next. 

Clouds of Red

Kahoma Ranch ATV Tours
(Eighth of a Series)

Day 5 - December 19, 2013

This adventure's website clearly stated "Clients MUST understand that this is an off-road adventure and they WILL get dirty and wet!"

They weren't kidding.

No doubt about it. You WILL get dirty and wet from this adventure!

It was Alan who discovered Kahoma Ranch online. Judging from the site's photos and videos, we could tell this outdoor experience is a ton of fun!

We were the first to arrive at their check-in kiosk in front of Office Max in Keawe Street. (Coincidentally, our tour guide's name is also Keawe.) The other customers trickled within a few minutes and soon we were shuttled up the mountain to Kahoma Valley.

After checking in and signing our waivers, we boarded a shuttle for a short bumpy ride to Kahoma Ranch. 

At the barn, we gathered under a rustic-roofed area and sat on huge logs as we listened to safety instructions. Then we picked up our helmets and gear from a wooden picnic table. I didn't even think of bringing a bandanna to cover my nose and mouth. Thank goodness, each of us was provided with a brand new one.

Once we were all geared up, Alan and I went straight for the ATV in front of the line.

Trevor picked the all-terrain vehicle right behind us.

The vehicle for this off-road adventure is a two-seater Polaris Ranger ATV which you can drive solo or share with a passenger.  Even though I'm a four-wheel enthusiast, I opted to share the vehicle with Alan and let him do the driving. Here are three reasons why:

     1.  I'm the stereotypical Asian woman driver. ('nuff said!)

     2.  I want to take pictures and videos for this blog.

     3.  It's cheaper. You get significant savings per person when two passengers share a vehicle.

Adrenaline started pumping as soon as Keawe hollered, "Here we go!" It's like the rush you get when you hear NASCAR's "Gentlemen, start your engines!"

I looked back at Trevor and gave him a big thumbs up. Even with the ATVs roaring, I could hear his excited woo-hoos.

                                          I filmed this using my iPhone in a zip lock bag.

Through private sugar cane trails, dirt roads, and rugged paths we went. There were times it felt like riding through multiple road bumps one after another. The challenging terrain is definitely not for those with back or neck problems.

Not only were we driving through dusty trails. We were driving on Hawaiian red dirt! Now that can really stain your clothes.

At one point, the lead guide spun his ATV on a hair pin turn and billowed thick clouds of red. For a split second, we had zero visibility! 

Trevor flashing the "hang loose" sign after the first leg of the adventure ride.

Alan takes a swig of water before continuing with our off-road expedition. 

We rode up a hill and then stopped at what looked like a little lake -- the place they call The Garden.  There we found three water slides that dropped into a reservoir. That was so much fun! And the views from up there were spectacular!

The lookout point from the reservoir offered a gorgeous view of the town of Lahaina.

Here's Trevor's trip down the first slide.  He got some air on this one for sure.

                            Alan went for the other slide. The water was a bit chilly but refreshing.
  
I bit my tongue both times I slid down.  That's what I get for keeping my mouth wide open and squealing "Whee!" all the way down the ridged slide.

During the water slide break, we were served fresh pineapple. What a delightful treat!

That's our guide Keawe on the left, Trevor drying off on the right, and in the center (perched on a stump) is a character I like to call the Kahoma Ranch Cheshire cat.

We were surrounded by pretty animals and pretty sights.

Reading the website FAQs was helpful. I came prepared. I read that you must wear closed-toe shoes and clothing that can withstand dirt. So I wore old tennis shoes and worn socks.  If they get soiled, I wouldn't care about just throwing them away. I also had a swimsuit under my tank top and denims -- ready for a quick swoosh down the water slide and a splash into the water.

The ride back to the barn was just as enjoyable. This time we were driving behind a mother-daughter team. They did great! We were so happy that even if rain was in the forecast, we had sun the whole time. Or so we thought. As we headed back, large drops of rain hit the ground and splattered mud all over me.  Well, our vehicle didn't have a windshield. Just look at my picture again at the top of this page. Only my face, protected by huge goggles, was spared.

I still can't believe Trevor wore white! "This will be my authentic Red Dirt T-shirt," he decided. "It comes with bragging rights."

By the way, it took six Q-tips to get my ears completely cleaned after I got out of the shower. Yeah, you WILL get dirty!



View more Kahoma Ranch videos and photos here.

Continued from Chasing Double Rainbows.  Next in this series is Finding My Beach.