{:::]| |.| |.| |.| |:| ( O ) Who gives a blog?
...random musings... My blogger code: B7 d++ t k- s- u-- f- i-- o+ x e l+ c- (decode it!)
:: Thursday, March 17, 2005 ::
Maui
Day Eleven - Golf
03.16.05
Well, I finally wake up to a sweet, perfect Maui day...sunny, warm, narry a cloud in the sky! Bruce is out surfing for the a.m. so I have breakfast, shower, shave, and do some blogging, until he gets back around 11:15.
We leave around 12 for the golf store in North Kihei to rent clubs. I'm able to get something close to my set back home, he switches out a 7 wood for me, and I get to switch putters, and get Callaway steel head cavity back irons. I missed the driver I thought I was looking at, but it was large headed, and with a graffite shaft, and it fared ok. A dozen golf balls and a new glove and we were off.
We head north to Kapalua (almost an hour) stopping by at S-Turns to check out the surf.
We arrive at the Plantation Course at 1:15 or so...a little early for our tee time of 2:30. But after a quick shop in the Pro Shop, and paying for our greens fees and carts and using the rest room...moving the car...we take our complimentary bucket of range balls and head under the tunnel to the driving range to warm up. The golf carts are electric, which is really cool, but the hill up to the driving range is so steep, and with the golf cart's governor, I wasn't sure we'd make it! But we did.
I did very little warming up because of my bad back...but just enough to know the clubs a little and hit a couple good shots.
Back to the first tee at 2:20, and we weren't late as we had two groups in front of us...one just teeing off. In the front window at the top was a 10-12 inch tv screen with a GPS device that showed us the distance to the green as well as to all the important hazards (like distance to clear a certain bunker), and where the golf carts in front of us were! So if they were over a hill, we could see on the GPS that they were still within driving range! And as we got closer to the hole, the GPS would adjust and show us the distance of the cart to the hole...especially helpfull when one needed to leave the cart at the path and walk 100 yards to the ball on the other side of the fairway (our out of bounds or whatever!).Bruce
My starting play was far from stellar, but after a few shots that I thought I hit okay I couldn't find the ball. And worrying about being too slow (we were paired up with Joe and Andy, a father and son team from North Carolina) caused me to play faster, and consequently badly.
Out of bounds, high grass, bunkers and ice plant were everywhere!!! This is indeed a hard course, but extremely beautiful! There was absolutely no wind for holes 1 and 2, but by three or four it started to pick up.3rd hole | 3rd hole view | tee shot on 5 | drive to 6 | tee shot | 6 green view back | putting 6
On the fourth hole I finally get a bogey! Yay! A couple doubles on 6 and 7. 8 is the signature hole, 172 yards over a deep barancka. The wind is whipping at us directly at 20 mph plus. I think Joe and Andy hit first. They both hit it a bit hard and to the right, and the wind just whips their balls over the green and out of bounds. I line up for the shot, and hit a smooth 5 wood, just where I want, just to the right of the pin. I pose and pray. The ball dives into the ice plant just short of the green. Lost. S&%$! And it looked so good!!! Of course the next two balls I hit were yanks left out of bounds...man, out of the hole. Only Andy (on his second tee shot...hitting three) was able to finally hit the green.caddie on 7
So...on to #9. Less than stellar.
At the turn, the boys run in for a beer, and I suffer buying 9 more golf balls at $2.50 per...ouch!
We start the second nine...it's 5 pm already!!!ten
The par three 11th kicks my ass again as I splay a couple of fades out into the woods.12 | 13 | 15
Finally got a double bogey on 14.
Hey, 16th hole...a great drive just left of the right-side fairway bunkers. How about hitting a very gentle easy swing 7 iron from 115 right on the green! Two-putt for a par!!!
It's getting dark now, and we can barely finish in time. We hurry so much on 17 that I'm out of the hole. We are getting a flashing notice on the GPS that we need to have the carts in by 6:40. After 17 at about 6:50 a concierge in a cool little half-car drives up...I'm expecting an ass chewing, but he says we can finish out 18...the other major signature hole. I couldn't tell where my first drive went due to the darkness, but used a yellow ball for my next drive. I kept it in play for the entire hole, but in rushing hit a couple stupid chips near the end in almost complete darkness. Hey, at least I played it!17 sunset | 18
We pack up, say goodbye to Joe and Andy who ask us to join them, as they're playing at another golf course tomorrow...can't do.
We drive (sweaty, achey and tired) to Lahaina to Mala for dinner. I treat myself to a couple of dry martinis, a salad with fresh greens, tiny tomatoes, and bleu cheese, and a nice toasted flat bread with sesame seeds. Then a Kobe Beef Hamburger with bacon and bleu cheese...oh...my...god! How great! And tarot chips on the side with a mango salsa. I'm sufficiently stuffed.
Back to the condo for single malt and a Padron cigar...yummy!
Good day!
DC
:: David 3/17/2005 02:08:00 PM [+] ::
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Maui
Day Twelve
03.17.05
This morning I did a little clean up around the condo, dishes, laundry and blog.
After breakfast and Bruce's surfing we drove south past Wailea to La Perouse Bay, where there was an amazing lava flow. You could see where it exited the crater above, and made its way to the ocean. There were walls built here with the lava with thatch roofs where locals lived for over 600 years. It was interesting to see little pockets of beach areas.monkey pod | thorn berry | flower
On the way back we stopped at a lunch wagon that had its own mesquite barbecue stove built in. I had a combo of salmon, steak, and chicken shishkabob with a Strawberry Liloquois Juice.
Afterwards we stopped by one of the Wailea beachs to perhaps get a dip, but it was so busy we passed.
We stopped by the condo to rest up a bit, then got gas and essentials for a road trip to Haleakela Crater. We drove through the mountainside town of Makawao where there are horse ranches, cattle, and hillside that's reminiscent of Northern California or Vermont. The road was quite steep, and we were soon in a zig zag pattern. More fir trees appeared. Makawao is at 1500 feet, and we passed Kula at 3500 feet. We drove into the clouds at 5000 feet, and out again by 6000.west maui mountains with both shores | hawk | view down
When we finally reached the visitor's center at White Hill we were one mile from the peak. We stopped for a view back to the crater and took some amazing pictures of what you'd swear could be the lunar surface. We took a short hike there and were winded very fast.at the crater | white hill | the peak
The drive to the peak passed 10,000 feet, and at the little glassed-in building on top of Red Hill we topped out at 10,023 feet. We read the info, and walked around a little bit, then waited in the car for the sunset. In that very short time we were tired and somewhat cold...I was wearing long pants and a sweater, and was still cold!crater 1 | crater 2 | crater 3 | ejecta
We ran out as the sunset started, and set up the video camera out on a ledge so we could stay inside the observation building. The temperature was dropping fast!
We returned to Kihei in the dark, grabbed some food at Star Market (and some Guiness of course! Happy St. Pat's!) and returned to the condo.
I watched the movie Starman, and a little bit of Nurse Betty and to sleep.
DC
:: David 3/17/2005 02:08:00 PM [+] ::
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Maui
Day Ten
03.15.05
Rain again! Can you believe it? It's expected this time of year, but not so much here in the dry plains of Kihea. Another Hana attempt thwarted...must not be in the cards!
So I do breakfast and a load of laundry, then off to exchange cars again, to Jill's house to pick up a movie that we need to return to Blockbuster in Kahului. After that we go to the Queen Kamehameha Mall, a two-story semi-indoor mall (the roof of the isle is covered with a large white tarp which doesn't entirely keep out a few sprinkles of rain).
After a full perusal of the mall, we stop to eat lunch at "Sushi-Go," this great sushi place where you sit at a counter, and fresh sushi comes around on a conveyor belt, different color plates correspond to the menu and pricing, ranging from $1.75 to $3.50 for a plate (usually 2 pieces per plate). I had a california roll with tuna, another one with ? ??? , a dish of soba noodles with a spicy shoyu sauce, and a dessert, fried covering over rice, with a sugar sauce. Hot tea to go with. Wish we had one of these in Maine!!
Then back to Kihea for a few more errands: fill the new propane tank for Jill's grille, and get some fresh fish at "Eskimo Candy." (How's 3" long shrimp in the shell for $7.99 lb?)
Back at Jill's condo Shawn had just finished painting the dining room wall a nice mustard yellow color. We hang out a bit, have a beer, and make dinner. We have teriyaki Wasabi grilled shrimp and Hebby (inexpensive Mahi) with lemon caper sauce. Fresh Salad.
We have to leave by 6:30 for the jam at Donny's, it's his 48th birthday party and there are many people there, maybe 35-40. I play for the first set, then watch as others join in for the remaining two. It turned into quite the dance party, and as many as 12 musicians were playing at one time. This time there was the addition of flute, trumpet, and another sax.
Back to the condo for sleep!
DC
:: David 3/17/2005 02:06:00 PM [+] ::
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Maui
Day Nine
03.14.05
Well, this morning I was greeted with...guess what?...more rain! And coming down hard! So much for the trip to Hana once again! Bruce came over and made a cheese omelet and toast.
After breakfast we drive to Jill's school and exchange cars, then off to Pa'ia to run a couple errands, and pick up a sandwich at the local Natural Food Store "Mana" (which means "power"). Then on to Kahului, through Wailuku to the I'ao valley which extends into the West Maui Mountains. This needle is where early Hawaiian's went as a lookout in early wars. We had lunch in the car, then took a nice walk there amongst the stream and jagged hillside.
On our way back through Wailuku we stop at a CD/Record store where Ellen's son Brendan works to say hi and check out the selection. Lots of used. We then drive to Kahului to MacNet the Mac store to pick up some computer speakers for a present for Morgan's upcoming birthday (17th) which we're celebrating tonight because she is going to Las Vegas on Wednesday.
After we finished our errands it was back to the condo for me to cleanup, and then to Jill's so Bruce could do the same. There we saw Shawn and Morgan and had drinks before dinner.
Tonights dinner was a birthday party celebration for Morgan at Roy's...the building was a very large square cement box, with really high ceilings, and although there was some art deco coloration inside, it did seem a bit like a cafeteria. We were joined by Charles and Elaine, and her mom Felice, and Ellen.
Waiter service was great. Instant water served and the server placed the napkin directly on your lap. The next server brought bread, while the waiter took the drink order. Jill ordered some pupus for everyone. The crab cakes were amazing, and had a lovely cream sauce. There was some nice sushi and california rolls.
My dinner was honey mustard short ribs, which were absolutely melt-in-your-mouth, and scalloped potatoes. I had a side dish of poi with salsa. Poi is a thick grey starch that's supposedly not so hot by itself, by I liked it okay in this small size with the fresh tomato salsa.
Another tres expensivo meal, so I opted out of dessert.
After dinner we went back to Jill's condo (late) for a little music, then I drove back to the condo.
DC
:: David 3/17/2005 01:45:00 PM [+] ::
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Maui:: Tuesday, March 15, 2005 ::
Day Nine
03.14.05
Well, this morning I was greeted with...guess what?...more rain! And coming down hard! So much for the trip to Hana once again! Bruce came over and made a cheese omelet and toast.
After breakfast we drive to Jill's school and exchange cars, then off to Pa'ia to run a couple errands, and pick up a sandwich at the local Natural Food Store "Mana" (which means "power"). Then on to Kahului, through Wailuku to the I'ao valley which extends into the West Maui Mountains. This needle is where early Hawaiian's went as a lookout in early wars. We had lunch in the car, then took a nice walk there amongst the stream and jagged hillside.
On our way back through Wailuku we stop at a CD/Record store where Ellen's son Brendan works to say hi and check out the selection. Lots of used. We then drive to Kahului to MacNet the Mac store to pick up some computer speakers for a present for Morgan's upcoming birthday (17th) which we're celebrating tonight because she is going to Las Vegas on Wednesday.
After we finished our errands it was back to the condo for me to cleanup, and then to Jill's so Bruce could do the same. There we saw Shawn and Morgan and had drinks before dinner.
Tonights dinner was a birthday party celebration for Morgan at Roy's...the building was a very large square cement box, with really high ceilings, and although there was some art deco coloration inside, it did seem a bit like a cafeteria. We were joined by Charles and Elaine, and her mom Felice, and Ellen.
Waiter service was great. Instant water served and the server placed the napkin directly on your lap. The next server brought bread, while the waiter took the drink order. Jill ordered some pupus for everyone. The crab cakes were amazing, and had a lovely cream sauce. There was some nice sushi and california rolls.
My dinner was honey mustard short ribs, which were absolutely melt-in-your-mouth, and scalloped potatoes. I had a side dish of poi with salsa. Poi is a thick grey starch that's supposedly not so hot by itself, by I liked it okay in this small size with the fresh tomato salsa.
Another tres expensivo meal, so I opted out of dessert.
After dinner we went back to Jill's condo (late) for a little music, then I drove back to the condo.
DC
:: David 3/17/2005 01:45:00 PM [+] ::
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Maui:: Monday, March 14, 2005 ::
Day Eight
03.13.05
Today was nice and sunny with a mild breeze. I had a late breakfast, and watched golf at 10. After 20 minutes or so Jill and Bruce picked me up and we headed North to Launiupoko to all attempt surfing. I started off with Bruce, but still didn't have any luck getting a ride. After a half-hour or so I resorted to try and get rides on my belly, and a couple of those worked. The breeze was picking up, so it was hard to paddle, and it seemed the waves died out quickly.
Jill tried her hand next, and with Bruce's pushes she was able to get one leg up, and balance and catch a few waves.
We went back towards Kihea and stopped in Ma'alaea for lunch at Buzz's Wharf, at Ma'alaea Harbor. I ate Mahi Fish and Chips, which was great! While eating we were watching whales breach off the point. It looked like a mother and her baby, as a very little one was breaching, and couldn't get out past half his body. After we finished eating we drove down to the end of the pier and watched some more, at this point mama turned over and started slapping her huge side flipper on the surface of the water.
After lunch I was dropped at the condo where I enjoyed an afternoon cigar...a Royal Jamaican corona brought from home, and a San Miguel beer. A little shower and cleanup, then off to Ellen's for a dinner party...met 2 other people from Maine there!
DC
:: David 3/15/2005 02:32:00 PM [+] ::
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Maui
Day Seven
03.12.05
We were supposed to travel to Hana today...the rainforest area where there are beautiful water falls and vegetation...but it's raining again. I have a bagel and coffee, and catch up on blogging.
It's still raining hard at 10 am, and I watch a few hours of PGA Tour golf, catch a little nap somewhere in there as well. At 1 (still pouring) I watch "The Seige" with Denzel Washington...good flick! By 3:30 the rain has pretty much stopped, and I start watching "Queen of the Damned" but Jill and Bruce are on their way to take me on their shopping trip north to Kahului. I can't believe all these stores are here! We shop at Borders, Lowes, Sports Authority, and Pier One (Jill does).
We stopped at the beach to watch a little sunset as we return: sunset 1 | sunset 2
We head back to Kihea and pick up some shrimp for dinner. Bruce makes teriyaki shrimp with orzo, and a side salad. Ellen joins us for dinner, and we enjoy a little hot sake.
DC
:: David 3/14/2005 03:07:00 PM [+] ::
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