Just Cane Crazy

R. is crazy about sugar cane. On our way out of Maui, driving to the airport, we passed a sugar cane truck. Not just content with chilled raw cane sticks, R. decided to go for sugar cane juice as well. Sugar high to follow.






<img alt="cane crazy" border="0" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/orie0704/Day9022.jpg" width="400"><br />R. is crazy about sugar cane. On our way out of Maui, driving to the airport, we passed a sugar cane truck. Not just content with chilled raw cane sticks, R. decided to go for sugar cane juice as well. Sugar high to follow<span class="fullpost">.<br /><br /><img alt="cane crazy" border="0" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/orie0704/Day9025.jpg" width="400"><br /><br /><img alt="cane crazy" border="0" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/orie0704/Day9028.jpg" width="400"><br /><br /><img alt="cane crazy" border="0" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/orie0704/Day9029.jpg" width="400"><br /></span> ... Read more

Maui wowie

We had a few days to ourselves in Maui, my primary objective was to properly get R. into the water for some snorkelling.


We stayed on Kāʻanapali Beach, near Lahaina, but headed southeast for a snorkelling trip to Turtle Bay, where R. made the international open water signal for "shark behind you." What she meant to say was that I was being investigated by turtles. From there, we went to Molokini, a submerged volcano with a reef in the caldera. I was following behind a shark when I noticed that all of my skin was suddenly on fire. Jellyfish. I quickly made it back to the boat, where I was informed that there are two ways to quell the pain. Good thing they had the vinegar, 'cause I didn't fancy being peed on.


Very early the next morning, we drove out to the base of Mt. Haleakala to join a sunrise biking tour. After the tropical weather down below, it was shockingly cold as we waited for the sun to come up.


But come up it did, and it soon warmed up. Time to jump on the bikes and hurtle downhill.


A great thing about the outfit we were with is that they allowed us to go at our own speed - many tours make sure you stay together, slowly. Not us, we enjoyed hurtling down the mountain!


Fire on the Plains. Not what Shohei Ooka had in mind...

The rare Haleakala Silversword.

We spent a full day driving around the island, first east on the Highway to Hana, checking out beaches and waterfalls, and picking fresh guava along the way. After Hana, we continued on the south side of the island, on the Piilani Highway.


We saw a sign advertising fruitshakes. Hadn't noted the DIY aspect.


Finally, the dirt roads ended and this is literally the first building we saw - Tedeschi Vineyards - makers of pineapple wine. Well, we checked out the tasting room, but, well, let's just say we didn't buy any to take home.


Obligatory "tropical" drink, with umbrella. Fitting farewell. <img alt="mountain" border="0" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/orie0704/Day8091.jpg" width="400"><br />We had a few days to ourselves in Maui, my primary objective was to properly get R. into the water for some snorkelling<span class="fullpost">.<br /><br /><img alt="beach" border="0" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/orie0704/Day6026.jpg" width="400"><br />We stayed on Kāʻanapali Beach, near Lahaina, but headed southeast for a snorkelling trip to Turtle Bay, where R. made the international open water signal for "<i>shark behind you</i>." What she meant to say was that I was being investigated by turtles. From there, we went to Molokini, a submerged volcano with a reef in the caldera. I was following behind a shark when I noticed that all of my skin was suddenly on fire. Jellyfish. I quickly made it back to the boat, where I was informed that there are two ways to quell the pain. Good thing they had the vinegar, 'cause I didn't fancy being peed on.<br /><br /><img alt="cold" border="0" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/orie0704/Day8057.jpg" width="400"><br />Very early the next morning, we drove out to the base of Mt. Haleakala to join a sunrise biking tour. After the tropical weather down below, it was shockingly cold as we waited for the sun to come up.<br /><br /><img alt="mt. haleakala" border="0" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/orie0704/Day8092.jpg" width="400"><br />But come up it did, and it soon warmed up. Time to jump on the bikes and hurtle downhill.<br /><br /><img alt="guava" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_-u-1TmuNHsSkNAWWjJpa9D1e5t-7Up83ta10yqUBWnhdmbEHNLUpGsCDm5yXAmXtlrf07zLnieiM-WoO9KGoCF343oS2V8Xcr0RLEs5qZ_fKUerdw_yno1fNOx5OKtWy6cmqe4xm1I/s400/Day+8+106.jpg" width="400"><br />A great thing about the outfit we were with is that they allowed us to go at our own speed - many tours make sure you stay together, slowly. Not us, we enjoyed hurtling down the mountain!<br /><br /><img alt="fire" border="0" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/orie0704/Day8107.jpg" width="400"><br />Fire on the Plains. Not what Shohei Ooka had in mind...<br /><br /><p align=center><img alt="Silversword" border="0" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/orie0704/Day8102.jpg" width="250"><br />The rare Haleakala Silversword.</p><br /><br /><img alt="hwy" border="0" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/orie0704/Day8178.jpg" width="400"><br />We spent a full day driving around the island, first east on the Highway to Hana, checking out beaches and waterfalls, and picking fresh guava along the way. After Hana, we continued on the south side of the island, on the Piilani Highway.<br /><br /><img alt="fruitshake" border="0" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/orie0704/Day8168.jpg" width="400"><br />We saw a sign advertising fruitshakes. Hadn't noted the DIY aspect.<br /><br /><img alt="Tedeschi" border="0" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/orie0704/Day8192.jpg" width="400"><br />Finally, the dirt roads ended and this is literally the first building we saw - <a href="http://www.mauiwine.com/">Tedeschi Vineyards</a> - makers of pineapple wine. Well, we checked out the tasting room, but, well, let's just say we didn't buy any to take home.<br /><br /><img alt="tropical drink" border="0" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/orie0704/Day9019.jpg" width="400"><br />Obligatory "tropical" drink, with umbrella. Fitting farewell.</span> ... Read more

Oahu

Have been in Honolulu for the past week, initially for a conference, and then for a bit of a vacation. After the conference was over, we rented a convertible and started to wheel around the island.


Started out heading east from Waikiki, following the coast.


Spent a lot of time hopping along North Shore beaches, watching the surfers here at Waimea Bay, trying to coax R. into the calmer waters for snorkelling. At one point, we even ventured out into shin-deep waters. Living on the edge!


Cool looking waves.


The Banzai Pipeline was looking pretty rough.

Back in Honolulu, we took the opportunity to take in some "Tiny Bubbles" - I am bummed that this picture with Don Ho didn't come out so well.


It seems in Hawai'i, it is de rigeur to see the pineapples. Lots, and lots, and lots of pineapples.

My culinary highlight was definitely the "Famous Kahuku Shrimp Truck."

Delicious! So, on to Maui.
<p align=center><img alt="waikiki" border="0" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/orie0704/Day1images048.jpg" width="250"></p>Have been in Honolulu for the past week, initially for a conference, and then for a bit of a vacation. After the conference was over, we rented a convertible and started to wheel around the island<span class="fullpost">.<br /><br /><img alt="waikiki" border="0" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/orie0704/Day3070.jpg" width="400"><br />Started out heading east from Waikiki, following the coast.<br /><br /><img alt="Waimea Bay" border="0" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/orie0704/Day3084.jpg" width="400"><br />Spent a lot of time hopping along North Shore beaches, watching the surfers here at Waimea Bay, trying to coax R. into the calmer waters for snorkelling. At one point, we even ventured out into shin-deep waters. Living on the edge!<br /><br /><img alt="wave" border="0" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/orie0704/Day3100.jpg" width="400"><br />Cool looking waves.<br /><br /><img alt="banzai" border="0" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/orie0704/Day4107.jpg" width="400"><br />The Banzai Pipeline was looking pretty rough.<br /><br /><p align=center><img alt="Don Ho" border="0" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/orie0704/Day5008.jpg" width="250"></p>Back in Honolulu, we took the opportunity to take in some "Tiny Bubbles" - I am bummed that this picture with Don Ho didn't come out so well.<br /><br /><img alt="pina" border="0" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/orie0704/Day4047.jpg" width="400"><br />It seems in Hawai'i, it is <i>de rigeur</i> to see the pineapples. Lots, and lots, and lots of pineapples.<br /><br /><p align=center><img alt="kahuku" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWpkcdsk-lO8JRy70YwAZRAUswz0MQ7N2JF2PxBYb-2wNkjJtwWqmJKDzr9Se-CfU4BQV8CAB4wwnknWLQ8aDRIxPN32RNOkZEoNO9JwKejp1UWbG2fw-A5hn7UhxWaScwHNWw7RhXw4/s400/kahuku.jpg"></p>My culinary highlight was definitely the "<a href="http://www.hishrimp.com/" target="_blank">Famous Kahuku Shrimp Truck</a>." <br /><p align=center><img alt="kahuku" border="0" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/orie0704/Day4125.jpg" width="250"></p>Delicious! So, on to Maui.<br /></span> ... Read more