December 02, 2008
Hotel Hana Maui
In a vain attempt to pretend that I’m actually somebody I’ve (we’ve) booked two days (and nights) at the Hotel Hana Maui, the getaway for the rich and famous at the end of the famed “Road to Hana”.
After a slow start this morning in Kaanapili we put the top down on the car and headed for Hana. Believe it or not, this is my third trip down this treacherous road. Fifty-some miles of twists, turns, yields, single-lane bridges, and certain car sickness. The road is narrow and serpentine, the vegetation is lush, and the cliff-side surf is rough (rougher than usual I think). Its reputation as the “Road to Heaven” is well deserved. Its reputation as the “Road to Nowhere” seems spot on too. I guess I could be nowhere, but this hotel (despite its lack of air-conditioning) is definitely closer to heaven with its fancy spa, wellness pool, and our three-room suits. After three days at the ritzy Sheraton where everything was an extra charge (and expensive) this place has complementary everything (except air-conditioning, of course) and is a welcome change.
As the day’s heat dissipates and condenses under our veranda and upon the stone patio I’m taking some time before dinner to decompress after a long drive. The surf crashes below as the gentle winds of East Maui begin to cool things down. The town’s people are enjoying some community sports just down the hill. Golf carts roam between villas transporting guests while stopping periodically to smell the flowers and lemon-grass. Later as the people go home and put away their volleyballs and basketballs I’m hoping all that will remain will be the surf, the gentle breeze, and extreme mid-Pacific darkness. When you think about it, there are few places in the world as remote than this East Maui paradise. Is this heaven? No, it is Hana. OK, so I’m running out of wordy niceties. Hawaii is certainly a paradise of sorts, but writing this flowery crap can only go so far. OK, well, maybe a little farther…
I’ve often spoke of the best snorkeling I’ve ever seen. Last year’s attempt in Key West wasn’t even close. The year before in Belize was just average. And, while it hasn’t all been perfect, yesterday’s trip to “Turtle Arches” reminded me why Hawaii snorkeling is the best. The fish were numerous, the coral beautiful, and the giant sea turtles incredible. They were big suckers dawdling around, up and down, no cares in the world. V. cool! Nearby Molokini Crater was also nice despite cloudy sky and some cloudy water. No complaints from me after several years of very average aquatic encounters.
I’ll end with a quick top-5… Top 5 Snorkeling Spots:
- Turtle Arches, Maui
- Norman Island, BVI
- Aqaba, Jordan
- Kho Phi Phi, Thailand
- Haunama Bay, Oahu
Aloha! Again...