Aloha From Hawaii

Posted on November 1, 2016November 1, 2016 by Dusty Roads

No I’m not there yet but I did get a call.

Yes a nice surprise. The phone rang and caller ID said Diamond Resorts. That’s my time share so I grabbed the phone before it could go to voice mail. As I gasped out a Hello I heard a man’s voice call out “Aloha”.

SURFER AT PEAHI (JAWS), MAUI, HAWAII.

That got my attention.

It was a combination confirmation call and orientation, not that I remember everything he told me. He gave me so much information. We confirmed check in times, talked about the facilities, tours and events, what I had in mind for the vacation, everything. It wasn’t a short call but it was very pleasant.

Oh and we talked about the weather. I mentioned it looked like they were getting a lot of rain. He laughed. He said the weather reports always show rain because at any given time its raining someplace on the island. Right now he says its mostly 70-80, low humidity and sunny. If it does rain, its warm and no lightening so just keep on with what we’re doing!

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Nice touch Diamond Resorts. Mahalo!

Current Weather Conditions

A few passing clouds. Low 71F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph.

Kaanapali Beach Club

Posted on October 31, 2016October 31, 2016 by Dusty Roads

I didn’t get to finish telling what we expect at Kaanapali Beach Club. I have a self imposed limit to my posts so I don’t get boring. (Hopefully) and with the long description of the resort I went way over that limit.

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So here’s what I didn’t get to in yesterday’s post.

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1 Bedroom Ocean View

Discover comfort in our beautifully appointed accommodations featuring a king size bed, sofa bed with Tempurpedic mattress, and full bathroom complete with garden bath and walk-in shower. Enjoy the convenience of the partial kitchen equipped with a refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher and coffee maker among many other modern appliances. Additional in-room amenities include internet, cable television, DVD/Blu-ray player, telephone and a balcony/lanai.

Guest Accommodation Information

General Room Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- Alarm Clock
- Balcony or Patio (some rooms)
- Ceiling Fans
- Coffee Maker
- Handicap Accessible Accommodations
- Iron and Ironing Board
- King Bed
- Safe
- Sleeper Sofa
- Telephone
- Voicemail
- Wi-Fi (complimentary)

Disabled Access
- Grab Bars
- Lowered Counters
- Raised Toilets
- Roll-in Shower
- Shower Seats
- Transfer Benches

Accommodation Details
- Maximum Occupancy: 4
- Private Occupancy: 2
- Size: Approximately 820 Square Feet

Partial Kitchen
- Blender
- Cooking Utensils
- Dishes
- Dishwasher
- Dishwasher Detergent
- Microwave
- Refrigerator
- Silverware
- Toaster

Bathroom Amenities
- Full Bathroom
- Garden Tub
- Hair Dryer
- Walk-in Shower

Accommodation Entertainment
- DVD Player
- Pay-Per-View Movies
- Television: Cable / Satellite
- Television: Cable

Doesn’t look like we have an in unit washer/dryer this time but it does look like there are laundry facilities on the premises. Not quite as convenient but still a good perk.

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There are loads of activities on the resort calendar from adult bingo to Bowling, lei making and glass etching. There’s a beach walk that might be interesting, Other onsite activities include snorkeling and scuba diving and whale watching. I have heard that sometimes the whales are close enough to shore that they can be watched from land!

So far the weather hasn’t looked too good. It’s bee raining a lot. Maybe by the time we get there it will be a bot sunnier. When we went to the Bid Island it rained every day on the wet side of the Island. Its why the islands are so lush.

Current Weather Conditions

Overcast with rain showers at times. Low 71F. Winds ENE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 40%.

Get Set

Posted on October 30, 2016October 30, 2016 by Dusty Roads

Our Vacation part 2 will be at the Kaanapali Beach Club. We have to change resorts because the first 5 days was a bonus vacation I earned when I upgraded my membership. When I wanted to add more time they were not able to accommodate so we just have to change to another resort.

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Based on the resort description I don’t think part 2 is any less amazing than part 1.

A breathtaking panorama awaits you at Ka’anapali Beach Club, a haven of a resort in a land that has perfected beauty. Located on Maui’s western shore, Ka’anapali Beach Club promises to be one of the highlights of your chance of a lifetime getaway to Hawaii. If you’re going to do Hawaii, you should do it right. By planning your stay at Ka’anapali Beach Club, you are creating the vacation of a lifetime.

About Ka’anapali Beach Club

You haven’t known true beauty and comfort until now. There is so much to see and do at Ka’anapali Beach Club, you would never have to leave the property to have experienced a true and wonderful Hawaiian vacation. Heavenly is the best way to sum it up. You and your family will enjoy the comfort of the spacious rooms and the superior service this getaway has to offer.

Your room comes complete with an in-room refrigerator, oversized tub and separate shower in the bath. You’ll get some of the best views of the island from the comfort of your very own room. Kick back and take in a breathtaking sunrise or sunset from the privacy of your balcony or terrace. After spending the day exploring fabulous Maui, you can unwind in your personal whirlpool jet tub.

The Grounds at Ka’anapali Beach Club

The posh interiors aren’t even the very best part. You will fall head-over-heels in love with the grounds Ka’anapali Beach Club is nestled upon. Relax poolside, like never before, at the acre-wide pool. Sip your morning coffee at the outdoor cafes set amid tropical garden atriums and tranquil waterfalls.

Gather the family, and any new friends you make on the friendly island, and have a cookout in the BBQ area. You can even find something fun for everyone to do by checking with the onsite Activities Department. Maybe you need some time to be good to yourself, which you can do when you take advantage of the massage services or the spa.

When you are ready to explore the island, simply meet with our Concierge to make sure you find exactly what you need to make your dream vacation the ultimate experience. Whether it’s a helicopter tour of Maui, or beach hopping, horseback riding or dining and shopping, there is an endless supply of things to see and do.

Come … Discover the magical allure of Maui.

Like Kaanapali we have a one bedroom ocean view. Actually We have 2 one bedroom ocean view units. I wanted to be sure no one was uncomfortable sleeping. Past travel experiences have been tense when a member of the group was not happy with the sleeping arrangements.

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I’m running out of space so I’ll pick this up in my next post!

Current Weather Conditions

Overcast with rain showers at times. Low 71F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.

On Your Mark!

Posted on October 29, 2016October 29, 2016 by Dusty Roads

Getting ready to go. Trying so hard to tie up loose ends at work so I don’t leave a lot of things hanging for my co worker. I feel like the faster I go the behinder I get. So I thought I’d take a break to think about what I have to look forward to.

This trip to Maui is going to be a 2 parter. We have the first 5 days at Kaanapali Shores located in Lahaina, HI.

My sister will be with me for this part of the trip but my cousin won’t be joining us until the 2nd half. We’ll talk about that another time. Today is all about our first stop.

The web site offers this enticing description of the resort.

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You’ll feel right at home the moment you arrive at Aston Ka’anapali Shores. This resort combines the comfort and convenience of spacious suites with hotel-caliber services. Located on beautiful Ka’anapali Beach, your favorite outdoor vacation activities – from sunbathing to swimming and snorkeling – are literally just steps away.

Ka’anapali Shores offers two pools – an oceanfront pool and a garden pool (ideal for kids). You can also take advantage of our many other amenities, including lighted tennis/pickleball/shuffleboard courts, a fitness and massage center, jet spas, complimentary scuba lessons, and wedding gazebo. Visit our on-site shops – a salon, tropical flower shop, sundries outlet and beach apparel store – or just mingle and share stories with resort staff and other vacationing guests.

I’ll have to check out the complimentary scuba lessons. It might be a good way to get certified again. I regret letting my certification drop but it just slipped away as time passed.

Our suite is described as a one bedroom Ocean view.

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The list of amenities is wonderful! I can see us sipping drinks on the balcony watching a Hawaiian Sunset!

Guest Accommodation Information

General Room Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- Alarm Clock
- Balcony, Patio, or Terrace
- Iron and Ironing Board
- King Bed
- Safe
- Sofa bed in living area
- Telephone
- Washer/Dryer
- Wired Internet (charges may apply)

Accommodation Details
- Maximum Occupancy: 4
- Private Occupancy: 2

Full Kitchen
- Coffee Maker
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Refrigerator

Accommodation Entertainment
- DVD Player
- Stereo
- Television: Cable TV

Bathroom Amenities
- Hair Dryer

I love when there is a washer and dryer in the suite. I can pack and travel light that way.

Well, back to my list making and gear checking. I am so looking forward to this break!

Current Weather Conditions

Windy. Showers this morning with clearing during the afternoon hours. High 83F. Winds ENE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Some clouds. Low 71F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph.

The First Whale

Posted on October 23, 2016October 23, 2016 by Dusty Roads

It’s very exciting. My fall vacation is approaching. I planned it for November because I had to use the trip I was awarded by my time share before December 3 or it would expire. I try not to broadcast exact dates for security reasons but my house won’t be empty this trip. I have my pet sitter going in and out, a house keeper and my neighbor keeping an eye out on Rocky. This will be his first time ever alone so I made sure there will be lots of people around him.

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The first half of the trip will be with my sister, good travel companion that she is, and we will be joined the 2nd half by my cousin. That will be fun. Growing up I could always count on summers with my “Cuz “(and the trouble we managed to get in and out of) . We have plenty of accommodations so we’ll have lots of room and not have to be on top of each other. Relax and enjoy the Aloha spirit.

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Another reason I chose November was because the humpback whale migration is usually November – March and I really want to see them. We’ve gone to Hawaii in early October in the past but that’s too early for the whales. I wasn’t sure if even November would be too early but it was the best I could do on this trip. Luckily I got a Facebook post that the first whale has been officially spotted off Maui.

http://mauinow.com/2016/10/20/pwf-spots-its-first-whale-of-the-season/