I am so thankful for this forum. Since booking our flight and making reservations at Maui Prince, I have been loosely planning our days based on the geography of the island. Whenever I run into a friend who has been to Maui, I always ask them to tell me about their trip and things they enjoyed.
I am continually astounded how many people have no clue WHERE they stayed in Maui. I draw a crude outline of the island of Maui, so they can point out where they stayed, what they did, etc.. By far, the majority have absolutely no geographical idea of where they stayed. Some know the name of the resort or condo development, but have no idea where it was. It is also funny how few know where the ';road to Hana'; actually is on the island. They ';think'; they did it, but remember it being REALLY long. I am always wondering if they started from the upper west part of the island. If so, yeah... that would be a long day; since it appears it would be quite a distance just to get to the ';start'; of the road to Hana.
Am I crazy? Does anyone else run into this? This board and the blue book are really lifesavers. I like to explore and have an idea of where I am and where everything I want to do is located from my hotel. Maybe this is an indication of just how relaxing Maui will be; everyone has plans, but ends up vegging and not caring where they are :)
A funny observation while planning my trip?
Things may be changing a little, but when DH and I mention that we%26#39;ve been visiting Hawaii for many years, most people say, ';Oh, HAWAII! It%26#39;s so far away! I%26#39;ve always wanted to go there one day before I die.'; It%26#39;s that dream vacation, the ';once in a lifetime'; mindset. It%26#39;s pretty amazing that more people aren%26#39;t disappointed, after expectations like that!
In Chicago many people equate one tiny area, West Maui, with Hawaii. In fact, hardly anyone even says he is going to Hawaii; he goes to ';Maui';. (The Florida equivalent is ';Sanibel';.)
You are right about the relaxing part. We are always happy to get to Maui and get on ';island time';, which is mostly ';go with the flow';. It%26#39;s been interesting to see a less-touristy side of that since we became condo owners, with the need to use tradesment, etc. We quickly learned that if ';surf%26#39;s up'; our drywaller/plumber/tile setter may not be arriving until the following day. Also, if there is ANY sort of family obligation, that will take precedence over work. It%26#39;s all part of the way things are in Hawaii. (And probably why our friends who have a check-list and route plan for the Louvre have never visited.)
A funny observation while planning my trip?
No, pretty much everyone I talk to about Maui knows where they%26#39;ve been and where they%26#39;re going next! Maybe my group of acquaintances are more observant? I%26#39;m kidding.
Also, maybe because it%26#39;s such an easy trip to Hawaii from California almost everyone I know who has been to Hawaii has been there more than once. They are familiar with the lay of the land.
I%26#39;ve run into a few folks like that.
Ken
I must agree with Trixxee. I am certain I know geographically where I was and not just on a island either. When I drive from Kahului behind all those cars to Kaanapali (sp) to the resort or when I drive all the way to Wailea or when I%26#39;ve traveled to Hana, I know the location of where I%26#39;ve gone on Maui. And where Maui is relative to the globe also.
The first time I went to Maui, I had NO idea what the Valley Isle was like (terrain....mountains....waterfalls....lava....etc). That is what amazed me. I thought Hawaii was only miles and miles of flat sandy beaches. Who knew I could freeze my rear off at sunrise on that mountain? Who knew the Big Island had a mountain with snow on top...etc. Now I know that is naive of me, but THOSE are the things about the Hawaiian Islands that I didn%26#39;t know....(and there were many more I learned over my visits that I didn%26#39;t list...)
I have a friend who just returned from Maui in March. I had already started planning for my August trip, so I asked her a lot of questions a few days after she got home. I was amazed at how much she didn%26#39;t know. She didn%26#39;t know what part of the island she stayed on, the name of the condo, or even the beach that she was next to. She just called it ';the beach.'; Then talked about a nice place called ';La-hay-na.'; I was pretty surprised. She knew the name of a couple of restaurants they went to, but mostly I think she just let her husband lead the way. When I talked to him, he told me the details (South Maui, Maui Banyan, Kam beaches). I laughed when my friend told me last week that she couldn%26#39;t wait to send me an email about what things I ';have'; to do in Maui. I can picture it now: go to the beach, eat good food, drive to cool places with trees and flowers, and don%26#39;t forget to sleep in your condo at night.'; I guess I%26#39;m just a crazy researcher because I wouldn%26#39;t want to be that clueless.
The people who do the driving and planning for the trip are the ones who know the ';layout of the land'; out of necessity.
If a person is just ';along for the ride'; they will need a few trips to become familiar with the island..... if ever.
I%26#39;ve always felt that some people go on TRIPS and some go on VACATIONS.
The people who go on trips are always on the go... schedules for everything... from days and times to see this place or that place, to days to eat at this particular restaurant for lunch or dinner. For the other people along with them, everything becomes a blur....
People who go on real vacations are less regimented in their schedule. They go with the flow and have a general idea of what they want to see and do. If they do not get it done today, there is usually tomorrow or the next time.... vacations are always much more relaxing.
I LOVE vacations!
I think LWJ hit it on the head. When we go my lovely bride is along for the ride and frankly doesn%26#39;t always care what something is called or it%26#39;s geographical location. She rides along and I drive so I need to know at least the basic information. We tend to be ';on vacation'; type people also.
I think your right, lwj! I am definitely a trip person. My SO and I have a great house, no kids and overall enjoy a low drama life. We don%26#39;t view trips as places to ';get away and relax/destress';. We relax every evening on our deck or watching tv. Vacations for us are finding new places to explore.
This thread came to mind after I was asking a very good friend of mine about her trip to Maui last year. She is one of people that has no idea where she stayed. Her only ';thing to do'; was that she really enjoyed a hammock on the beach by their hotel room. She said she got up, ate breakfast and laid in the hammock until dinner. For her, that was the perfect vacation. I would NEVER, in a million years, fly that far to an exoctic location and spend the entire time sleeping in my hotel bed or in a hammock. We spend plenty of time relaxing, reading, enjoying the sunsets; but could not be in a vertical position during our entire trip. A day here and there is plenty for us.
Just shows that there are truly different strokes for everybody :) Thanks for your thoughts, everybody!!
Mrs. S. and I like to learn about where we are going and are always open to learn new things about where we are visiting. We talk to people we meet and ask lots of questions. Have found this suits our style of travel. Others are much happier on a schedule and others just don%26#39;t care as long as they are away.
Great observation and the people who dont/didn%26#39;t know where
they BE Well they just crack me up!!
Maybe we%26#39;ll start large for them Universe Milky Galaxy
Solar System
PLANET EARTH ETC
My mana`o* is that I am the ONLY one on the planet who
see Maui as a person in the water with the head turned left
Ma`alaea is the neck/throat and the Shoulders etc
includes HaleakaLA AND KIHEI ETC. it is like He is swimming.
* thought
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