Hearts in Hawai'i
Our Trip to Maui (2014)--Day 4
5/8/2014
Today's highlight was taking part in our first paid activity--a Blue Hawaiian helicopter tour of West Maui and Molokai. We had called last week and changed our 11:00 a.m. departure time to the earliest time they had available. Early flights are best, as clouds tend to move in to the valleys in the late morning and early afternoon, obscuring visibility.
After eating breakfast, we were in the car by 6:45 for our drive from Lahaina to the heliport in Kahului. Once there, we got checked in and weighed. Seating is done according to weight distribution. I'm wearing my Maui visor and was told I can't wear it on the helicopter. Patty was carrying her small purse/bag and is told it is likewise not allowed on board. We secured a locker at the terminal and are ready to go.
Smiling and ready!
Not our helicopter but the same kind (Eco-Star)
The seating turned out to be nearly perfect. The pilot sat in the left-front, and there were three passengers in front with him. Patty was on the far right, with windows all around. Outstanding! There are four bucket seats in the back, but there are only three of us in back--the seat to my left was unoccupied, allowing me to maneuver around with my Nikon D7100.
We got instructed, seated, buckled and off we went. Our first destination was the northwest coast of Maui, featuring Kahakuloa Head.
Underway!
Kahakuloa Head.
The coast of Maui is soon left behind.
From there, we crossed the Pailolo Channel between Maui and Molokai. Here we got our first glimpses of Molokai as we approached the Halawa Valley:
Some of the highest sea cliffs in the world are found on Molokai's north shore:
Heading into the Halawa Valley, we saw two towering waterfalls in front of us. This is Moa`ula Falls and Hipuapua Falls.
A closer look.
Papalaua Valley and Papalaua Falls.
More views of Molokai's wonderful valleys before heading to the south shore.
Molokai's fishponds were mostly built 700-800 years ago.
One last look at Molokai before crossing the channel back to Maui.
The island of Lana`i in the distance.
Approaching Maui.
Lahaina, our favorite Maui town!
Another Lahaina view.
The west Maui coastline.
Into the Launiupoko Valley.
This is (I believe) the Iao Valley.
Central Maui isthmus.
Two happy campers at the end of the flight!
We went back to the office after the tour and immediately ordered a Blu-Ray disk of our tour. Only $25!
Back at our hotel, we walked the beach for awhile, finding plenty of people out today enjoying the sand, water and warmth. Our Canon photographer acquaintance who takes pictures of surfing classes is out once again, so we stopped and chatted for a short time. Leaving the beach and getting back to the hotel, we had to take the stairs up to our fifth floor condo--power is out from 11:00 to 1:00 today because they're finishing up work on the roof installing solar panels.
We were tired and in need of a quick nap. After awakening, we headed out to Teddy's Bigger Burgers on Keawe Street. This place is a welcome change from other overly expensive, so-so fare (think Cheeseburger in Paradise) or just overly expensive (think Cool Cat Cafe). The only downside of this place is you have to order at the counter (at Cheeseburger and Cool Cat, they seat you, take your order, deliver your burgers), and then wait at your table for your food. But it's worth it! For under $20, I got a 7-oz burger with bacon and grilled onions, along with onion rings, and Patty got a salad. This is a great bargain by Hawai`i standards!
Neat decor inside Teddy's
Burger Time!
For Patty, only a salad??
More time was spent in the hot tub tonight, where we met four more people, including a woman from St. Paul and her daughter. The woman said she recognized me from past trips--she looked vaguely familiar. There was also a couple in the tub visiting from Oahu. We had fun chatting with them.
One of the highlights of these trips has always been getting to meet people, not just Maui residents but others from around the country. So far, we've met folks from Oahu, Minnesota, Phoenix and Spokane. There surely will be many others during the remainder of our stay here on the Valley Isle.
Previous: 5/7/2014--Our Trip to Maui (2014)--Day 3
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