Nana Visits Honolua Bay

On our first day exploring the island, we headed north to see the sites. We followed the guidebook so closely that we were using the Tripometer to make sure that we didn't miss things like "the small dirt trail to the left, .3 miles past the Bell Rock."

The first stop was this overlook near Honolua Bay. Though I'd worn my bathing suit, convinced I'd be jumping in somewhere, we'd already decided we wouldn't be hiking down to any beaches. It was enough to pull over, see them, and move on to view the next breathtaking vista.
I'd be lying if I didn't say I was experiencing serious kayak and rafting envy as we observed folks down on the bay. It was still quite early, maybe not even 9 am, but there were cars parked along the road next to paths that beach hunters have forged over the years.
There was hooting and hollering in sections - and then you'd look elsewhere and there would be singles and couples just floating quietly. Serenity!
As we stood overlooking the bay and appreciating the view to the open ocean on the other side, group after group pulled into the little jug handle, climbed out, did the same thing, and went on their way. It was clear that this photo op wasn't really a "secret" after all.

We Met the Nicest People

This kind family from New York insisted that we turn that convertible around and visit the Garden of Eden; we had passed it on the Road to Hana thinking it wasn't worth the admission price. It actually was gorgeous and we were grateful to have run into them, even if they were Yankees fans.
Could that dress be any shorter? I had no idea and, since you know me, I am pretty sure I didn't handle myself in the most ladylike of manners all night. Which means there was probably a ton of accidental underwear flashing. No wonder these guys are smiling and encouraging me to show off my shaka. These gentlemen were playing music throughout our opening reception and were absolutely darling and fun. I wanted a picture with them -and the bassist in particular - for Keane.

Needless to say, Keane's not impressed.
In Paia at the Fish Market, we ran into this adorable couple on their honeymoon from Germany. They'd actually gotten married in Hawaii, which I still don't quite understand. (Of course, you know that marriage isn't my specialty.) Claus and Nadia live about 30 minutes from Munich. We'll probably hook up with them when I take Keane to Europe next summer. Nadia is Swiss.

The Paia Fish Market was the first place I drove more than an hour to just for fish tacos with a good reputation. I had them as often as I could while in Maui. Most were mahi fish tacos, and most were grilled. They weren't San Diego/Baja style, but were still awesome.

I have actually had two (!!) dreams about them since I got home. Dreaming about food is just one of the many reasons I'm not a size 4.

This is Dave. He is the friend I will visit in Melbourne, soon enough. He's in hospitality, liquor, restaurants, and bars. Food and booze...no wonder I got along so well with him! I honestly could have hung out and talked with he and his wife all afternoon - except that we both were on a mission to get some banana bread down the road.

We met them at the shave ice place. This is the shave ice ladies back yard. Dave owes me my picture, but hasn't e-mailed it to me yet. Later, I will add it. (I'm counting on you, Dave.)

We ran into Dave and his family again back in Ka'anapali, which was cool, but I was running to catch the boat for parasailing and by the time we got back they were done with their Hula Grill meal. We were bummed! You know how I love a fun (foodie and boozy) Australian family.
I feel awful because I have forgotten this young lady's name. She sold me an adorable dress - not the too-short black one; I clearly purchased that one without any professional assistance. Thanks a lot, Nana!

She was working at this boutique for the summer, but goes to school in Washington. She hopes to get a job at a tasting room when she returns to school in the fall! Loves wine. Eliminates any need for me to shop for myself. We need her on the team!
Possibly my favorite picture from the whole trip. We didn't encounter a single staff member at the Sheraton who wasn't cheerful, friendly, funny, and kind. We bonded especially with the maids in our section. We would see them piling onto the elevator each morning...and one day we hopped on with them. It was that morning that we snapped this picture.

Pay Phones

All over the island. So cute with tropical flowers. When was the last time you saw a working pay phone at home?
I have a crush on adorable Hawaiian Telcom. Honestly...I just kept taking pictures of them. The top on was in Napili, the one just above and below here is near the Starbucks in Kahului (in the same shopping center as the Borders and the liquor "super mart"!
This one was....oh, I don't remember. Probably Lahaina.
And, this last one, I saw in Paia. Later I'll write about the excellent fish tacos at Paia Fish Market, show you the place Nana selected for her tattoo, and blog about the darling future wine consultant I met when I bought my white eyelet dress. All in gorgeous Paia!

What I'm Drinking: Sunfish! Sunfish! Sunfish Syrah!

Mmm...it's good! I finally picked up my wine club and I really wanted to try the Sunfish 2006 Syrah. There are a few reasons, not the least of which is that my awesome cousin called today and ordered some when neither of us had even tasted it yet!

I'm a four-bottle wine club member, because I like to try all four new wines each month. The Sunfish was the only one I hadn't ever tasted before, so the decision had been made. TWO reasons to drink it.

Third reason? (Ryan P. can vouch for this.) Fishing for fresh water sunnies - off a dock or standing in the water - is one of my favorite catch-and-release activities. I'm pretty good at it, if I do say so myself. It's the hunter in me, I think.

So, as you know, each of the wines come with a cool card with pairing suggestions, winemakers notes, and a recipe, often specially created for pairing with that particular wine. The Sunfish was no exception and the recommendations included turkey dishes, smoked cheeses, or vegetables prepared in sesame oil. The recipe was for a delectable looking Grilled Turkey Sandwich with Smoked Gouda. YUM!

Without going to Giant, the only things I had handy were the avocados, tomato, garlic, mayo and romaine lettuce. Not even close to being able to make the sandwich, which is embarrassing. It's a "work" night, so I couldn't spare the hour to run out for groceries.

But, I did have grilled chicken in the fridge and some zucchini and summer squash, so I tossed the veggies with some sesame oil, cut up the chicken, tossed the whole thing together and opened the bottle.

The agonizing over the food was unnecessary. This wine is FANTASTIC on its own. It's what I would call a "T.V. wine." You can enjoy it on its own, watching T.V. No need to pair it, it's still good.

Of course, it was still great with the veggies and chicken, but I'm so excited to find another yummy, easy wine I can stock up on and open up at any time.

This is one that the Fog Zinfandel lovers (sold out, folks) and the Broadmoore Merlot fans will really enjoy. If you liked the Villa Encantado Malbec, you'd appreciate this one, too.

Can't Pass This One Along to Nana

Just as I suspected when I bought it in Kahului, this book is absolutely filthy. No joke.

In addition to the "romance" I had anticipated a bunch of anti-haole rhetoric and "evil-colonizers" perspective. Check!

What I didn't expect was the gore. Lots of accidental amputations, missing eyeballs, lepers, babies thrown off cliffs, laundry workers blinded by starch, etc.

Gotta hand it to the author, though: She doesn't let all the blood-and-guts, poverty, oppression, and disease get in the way of the smut.

We Love Simon

It's actually spelled saiman and Nana and I are officially hooked. My brothers would recognize it as a soup similar to Dad Ramen, except in place of strips of Buddig beef there are pieces of Spam, scrambled egg, and fish cake that looks a lot like radishes. It is dee-lish!

It's a fish broth, so it's a lot like shrimp-flavor Top Ramen, except it's not artificially seafood flavored like the ramen is. Plus, it's traditionally a breakfast food.

Nana and I would drive up to Kapalua to the Honolua store near the Ritz-Carlton to have it. They also made great ham and cheese omelets and had good coffee. Mmmmm....coffee.....It's the cutest little place - a weird cross between a New England/Cape building and an Adirondack lodge. Just cool.

We would sit on the porch to eat and just relax in the shade.

On our first visit, we met a terrific transplant from the mainland, Athena, on her way to work. We were in line for coffee and we noticed a $5 bill drifting down near her feet. All three of us thought it belonged to the lady ahead of us. We called her back over, gave her the money and within seconds realized that it was mine. Duh.

Athena then secretly paid for our coffee! We wanted to meet up with her later - maybe at one of the wine tastings - but it wasn't to be. Instead, we left her some wine (Somersville Chardonnay, which Brigette will tell you is like liquid, fat-free butter in a glass) when we left. I'll look her up when I'm back on the Big Island next fall.

Meeting Athena and chatting with her - and her sweet gesture to a couple of Maui visitors - made us love Honolua Store even more. (That and the limes we were able to pick up for the g&ts, natch.)

I Love Fresh Air

I have a rather annoying (to some) habit. It's a preference of mine and it's kind of a litmus test for my travel companions.

I am a window opener. It's the first thing I do when I arrive someplace on vacation. Whether it's Lake Las Vegas, Mexico, the Bahamas, or Key West, I'm on the terrace, enjoying the outdoors. I don't like to be cooped up and the trip over on the plane is almost more than I can bear.

I almost loathe A/C. In fact, I drive a convertible because I like outside air. I don't actually enjoy being tan all the time. I just can't help it. Got a lot of melanin.

So...as one would expect, upon arrival I threw open the sliding glass door. We started talking about sleeping with the door open all night, enjoying the island breezes, and listening to the ocean right outside. I was thrilled! Rapture, really.

As we prepared to leave for dinner, I decided to lock up because it would be so easy to climb over the wall to our patio and stroll into our room and steal our welcome chocolates - or our gin.
So, I was closing the door and some weird leaf fell down and hit me in the face and landed in between my tank top and my lei. I stopped and looked down to remove it and the leaf jumped up off my chest and hit me in the eye. I screamed so loud (like a girl, even!) that Nana came running out of the bathroom to see what seaweed monster was dragging me off.

By that time, I had grabbed the gecko off my chest and tried to fling it out into the grass. It had other ideas and had run up my arm and jumped back into the drapes.

You might think it was a gecko like this (because there are tons of them around the property):

But it was a gecko more like THIS!

I have to assume that it ran outside...startled by my high-pitched shriek and frenzied, mindless efforts to kill it. (I wouldn't normally do that, but fight or flight was kicking in.)

We ended up keeping the door closed while we were sleeping, much to my disappointment. I just couldn't in good conscience leave it open and risk Nana being carted away by giant, muscle-bound, ill-tempered, mutant geckos.

Each morning, we greeted the day by opening the room up and each evening, before bed, we solemnly closed - and locked (did I mention the opposable thumbs on that green monster?) - the door.

Later we ran across this sign.

Now they tell us.