The Swamp

Going to Hawaii next week. Not pumped at all because it's far and I already live in the tropics, but whatever. GF has a conference there so we get the hotel paid for.

Now, she's looking at sites (like this: http://www.hawaiidiscount.com/tours/maui/hiking.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and they all charge an assload for things like hikes and driving tours, which seems insane to me. I can drive and walk and buy my own mosquito repellent and sandwiches. I assume many frogs have been to HI - car rentals and even bike rentals and hell, everything there is expensive as hell, but these guided tours seem stupid to me. What have you guys done when yinz were in Hawaii? This is on Maui.

The only thing I did on Maui was go to the top of Haleakala, which is very, very cool. There are hiking trails that take you into the crater if you're into hiking and seeing pretty things. Supposedly being atop the mountain at sunrise is an amazing experience. Some companies organize bike rides from the top of the volcano. They take your punk-ass to the top, give you a bike and send you downhill. How American.

I only spent a couple of days on Maui, but basically only went to the beach and hung out at some of the bars in "downtown" Lahaina. Others have done the road to Hana and Haleakala volcano and raved, so I'd say -- fuck it. You're on vacation. Spend some dough.

Gunpowder wrote:Going to Hawaii next week. Not pumped at all because it's far and I already live in the tropics, but whatever. GF has a conference there so we get the hotel paid for.

Now, she's looking at sites (like this: http://www.hawaiidiscount.com/tours/maui/hiking.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and they all charge an assload for things like hikes and driving tours, which seems insane to me. I can drive and walk and buy my own mosquito repellent and sandwiches. I assume many frogs have been to HI - car rentals and even bike rentals and hell, everything there is expensive as hell, but these guided tours seem stupid to me. What have you guys done when yinz were in Hawaii? This is on Maui.

We went to Hawaii in June. It was awesome. We were on the big island that time, but I've been to Maui in years past. In Maui, we stayed in Kaanapali, on the northwest part of the island, so I don't know about where you are. But, even in February, the ocean was amazingly warm. Clear, too. You can't help but enjoy swimming in the ocean. You might look into the bike ride down the road from the top of the volcano. You'll also want to get to know these things called Mai Tais.

The coolest thing we did this summer on the Big Island, was go out on zodiac boats at dusk and go snorkeling with manta rays. We arranged it through the hotel concierge. The way that worked was you got horizontal looked down through your mask and held onto a hula hoop-type ring around a surfboard. They had floodlights streaming up from the bottom, through the water. The light attracts plankton, who swarm in. The plankton, in turn, attract huge manta rays. They do it every night at the same places, so the manta rays have learned where the buffet is. They don't want to touch you, but they aren't afraid, so they do these barrel rolls as they eat the plankton and come within inches of you as you float on the surface. So, try to find a place that does this!

I went to the beach everyday. Driving 2 hours to go 30 miles to Hana didn't appeal to me.
Went to the bars in downtown Lahaina too and also enjoyed the quieter places down south like Kihei and Wailea.

There's a Canadian bar "MOOSE'S" in Kihei. I watched the NHL playoffs at 1pm happy hour!

Gunpowder wrote:Not pumped at all because it's far and I already live in the tropics, but whatever.

Also kind of hope you were kidding about this. Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Comparing Florida and Hawaii is like comparing a meth-addicted hooker and Kate Upton.

I'm not kidding. Great, it looks awesome, it's much better than Florida, but anything with "beach" in it immediately bores me to death.

degenerasian wrote:I went to the beach everyday. Driving 2 hours to go 30 miles to Hana didn't appeal to me.
Went to the bars in downtown Lahaina too and also enjoyed the quieter places down south like Kihei and Wailea.

There's a Canadian bar "MOOSE'S" in Kihei. I watched the NHL playoffs at 1pm happy hour!

The Canadian bar in Paris is also called the Moose. Moose taking over.

sancarlos wrote:

Gunpowder wrote:Going to Hawaii next week. Not pumped at all because it's far and I already live in the tropics, but whatever. GF has a conference there so we get the hotel paid for.

Now, she's looking at sites (like this: http://www.hawaiidiscount.com/tours/maui/hiking.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and they all charge an assload for things like hikes and driving tours, which seems insane to me. I can drive and walk and buy my own mosquito repellent and sandwiches. I assume many frogs have been to HI - car rentals and even bike rentals and hell, everything there is expensive as hell, but these guided tours seem stupid to me. What have you guys done when yinz were in Hawaii? This is on Maui.

We went to Hawaii in June. It was awesome. We were on the big island that time, but I've been to Maui in years past. In Maui, we stayed in Kaanapali, on the northwest part of the island, so I don't know about where you are. But, even in February, the ocean was amazingly warm. Clear, too. You can't help but enjoy swimming in the ocean. You might look into the bike ride down the road from the top of the volcano. You'll also want to get to know these things called Mai Tais.

The coolest thing we did this summer on the Big Island, was go out on zodiac boats at dusk and go snorkeling with manta rays. We arranged it through the hotel concierge. The way that worked was you got horizontal looked down through your mask and held onto a hula hoop-type ring around a surfboard. They had floodlights streaming up from the bottom, through the water. The light attracts plankton, who swarm in. The plankton, in turn, attract huge manta rays. They do it every night at the same places, so the manta rays have learned where the buffet is. They don't want to touch you, but they aren't afraid, so they do these barrel rolls as they eat the plankton and come within inches of you as you float on the surface. So, try to find a place that does this!

Hmm...I think something similar was offered by one of them.

Just thought of one more thing. I know you've said you aren't big on reading for pleasure, but a great book to read on the plane going to Hawaii would be Unfamiliar Fishes, by Sarah Vowell. Very interesting history of Hawaii by a funny, witty writer.

With 15 hours to kill, I probably should read something. I may opt for something more "hey you should really read this at some point in your life", though.

Hmmm . . . something in the 300-page range then?

ETA: Factoring in plane snoozez and such.

Haven't read a book in so long that I have no idea. I read relatively fast, I believe. Also have the 15 hours back.

Is the flight from Miami to LA longer than the flight from LA to Hawaii?

I realize I will just go look this up on Flightaware in a minute.

Can you give us a hint what you'd like?

I'll start with this as a suggestion: 1984 by George Orwell. If you haven't read it (as an adult), it would be a great "you have to read this one before you die" book. Essential, in fact. My (original) copy is 313 pages or so. I doubt a paperback or library copy would be much different.

20 pages per hour on average? That's a 16-hour read. Mileage vary and yada.

Brontoburglar wrote:Is the flight from Miami to LA longer than the flight from LA to Hawaii?

I realize I will just go look this up on Flightaware in a minute.

And they're both 5:45.

Brontoburglar wrote:Is the flight from Miami to LA longer than the flight from LA to Hawaii?

I realize I will just go look this up on Flightaware in a minute.

Fort Myers to Dallas to Hawaii out

Hawaii to LAX to Dallas to Fort Myers back

Scottie wrote:Can you give us a hint what you'd like?

I'll start with this as a suggestion: 1984 by George Orwell. If you haven't read it (as an adult), it would be a great "you have to read this one before you die" book. Essential, in fact. My (original) copy is 313 pages or so. I doubt a paperback or library copy would be much different.

20 pages per hour on average? That's a 16-hour read. Mileage vary and yada.

I read 1984 in high school. Probably looking for something Ball Four-ish. Hell, maybe I'll just read that.

Going to Chicago tonight and going to try reading the Bible so I have a leg to stand on when talking about it, that may last into the Hawaii trip.

In fact, Bronto, if you ever again imply that I'd fly out of that shithole airport in Miami for a North American destination, I will burn your TV room to the ground.

Hence "as an adult".

Bouton's chronice of the only Seattle Pilots season is a classic, of course. For something contemporary, try Hayhurst's The Bullpen Gospels.

I've only spent a week in Kona, on the big island.

Tripadvisor ranks http://www.flyinhawaiianzipline.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; as the #1 activity for Wailuku.

I'd recommend that if you get the chance to do the sunrise bike trek down a volcano, you do it.

Not pumped at all because it's far and I already live in the tropics, but whatever.

Hey man I'd be happy to step up and escort Bibs to Hawaii for you.

Scottie wrote:Hence "as an adult".

Bouton's chronice of the only Seattle Pilots season is a classic, of course. For something contemporary, try Hayhurst's The Bullpen Gospels.

Whoops. I'll consider it but still probably looking for something more like the latter options.

Jerloma wrote:

Not pumped at all because it's far and I already live in the tropics, but whatever.

Hey man I'd be happy to step up and escort Bibs to Hawaii for you.

Your flight leaves on Tuesday morning!

kranepool wrote:I've only spent a week in Kona, on the big island.

Tripadvisor ranks http://www.flyinhawaiianzipline.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; as the #1 activity for Wailuku.

I'd recommend that if you get the chance to do the sunrise bike trek down a volcano, you do it.

I think we are doing that.

Don't say I didn't suggest an alternative set of gospels.

Wait a second, I was confusing 1984 with Animal Farm. Read both but 1984 probably is one that you'd have to re-read as an adult.

Though I'll still probably save that for a different trip.

Scottie wrote:Don't say I didn't suggest an alternative set of gospels.

By latter I meant your Bouton/Hayhurst examples. I've been putting off reading the actual gospel for years and I need to do it so I can become accurate in my sanctimonious responses.

Iiiiiiite frogs, off to Chicago for the weekend. Thanks for them pieces of advice.

It's going to be 8 degrees or so when I get there and I do not own winter clothing. Yay!