I feel almost guilty admitting this, but it’s all starting to run together. The volcano is up the hill behind us, there are some green mountains over there that are partly covered in mist, somewhere below there is a perfect crescent of sand that is black or gray or gold or has sparkling bits of green. To the left, pineapple, to the right, sugar, somewhere a mile or so down the road a low rise mall with chain stores… I can tell I’m in a different place when I wake up but when we’re driving towards the water and stop for coffee in yet another touristy little town with “galleries” and “shopping” I can not tell this little town from the last little town with “galleries” and “shopping.” It’s rather frustrating, actually.
I am always looking for Hawaii. We proceed west or north or down some crazy winding road and we end up somewhere that feels like Hawaii or rather, somewhere that feels like Ocean Shores. It’s weird. Global tourism doesn’t just mean there’s a Subway and a Kinko’s (where I sit right now) but it also seems means that there’s a homogenization of what passes for a cute tourist town.
The blur means that the exceptional stands out all the more. So last night, when we slept in Hana at the Loana Spa in a yurt with a million dollar view, and this morning, when we took an outdoor shower with that same million dollar view, Things Were Different. Thank god for that. Also, the night before when we went to the slack key concert up at the Napili Kai resort, Things Were Different too. Hooray. Also, the night before when we stayed at the Old Wailuku Inn, a 1920s plantation home furnished with Chinese antiques, well, that was Different as well. I’ll be compiling a list of favorites – you’ll be seeing those here on Nerd’s Eye View (with pics) when we get home.
By the way, if you’re in the process of planning your trip to Maui, do try to stay the night in Hana. It’s a real treat to not rush back on the same day. After all, it’s a crazy long drive and to do it round trip on the one day – oh, there’s so much you’re missing. The only caveat is that there is almost nowhere to get dinner in Hana, so feed up at lunch time, spend a packet for a meal at the Hana Maui hotel, or get a condo with a kitchenette and cook your dinner from stuff you got at the Hasegawa General Store.
Yes, I did have a rather indulgent J snap a picture of me and my uke in front of the Hasegawa general store. Now…
On the island of Maui far from Waikiki, there’s a place called Hana that is heavenly and when you go there, you’ve got to see the Hasegawa General Store!
Disclaimer: Assume the stays were comped if I don’t say otherwise, okay? And trust me, just coz we had a comped room at the Sheraton does not mean I loved the Sheraton.
Photos!! We want photos! 🙂
Carol
Oh, lucky, I wish I could have afforded to stay in Hana overnight. Especially since I ended up doing the drive back after sundown, hoping I didn’t go hurtling over the cliff in the dark. That’s a drive I won’t forget anytime soon.
My parents “discovered” Grenada fifty years ago. They always had a dream of retiring there. At first because of the beauty of the island, then later the beauty of the friendships they nurtured over the years. I know you are making the trip because of the places, but it would be interesting to “meet” some of the people. Still sounds like paradise.
Check out the Na ‘Aina Kai Botanical Gardens on Kauai if there is time. This is a public garden dedicated to art, conservation and horticulture and is little known according to an article in my gardening magazine. Sounds like it is worth a visit.
Happy Thanksgiving. Love to you both.
Pics are going to have to wait until we’re back on the mainland – sorry. We’re still getting internet when we can, which is not all that often as cafes aren’t that easy to find and the hotel rates are sometimes extortionist.
Stupid laptop. At least it picked a good place to die.