Maui 2011 business and pleasure....

Some things about an empty nest are sad...
BUT, the ability to travel together is not one of them!
So when Ron has to attend Continuing Ed. courses in Maui...
of course I will suffer along with him!!

Our first meal on Maui...
one of Ron's favorite places
Pita Paradise in Kihei
(we actually had lunch here 3 times!!)

the Mediterranean chicken pita is one of the best!

We wanted to try a new hotel
while we were waiting for the conference to start
so we stayed at the Hotel Wailea

a small, beautiful place with only 72 rooms...

In the lobby we actually ran into friends
from Richland--so we got together for breakfast...
small world!!

a theme that kept happening on this trip was...
double beds...
first night was kind of fun... (TMI?!)

but after it happened again at the Marriott Wailea
we had to request a room change..
even though we were there on "business"--
no kids along meant we didn't need extra beds--
even though Morgan said
she and Matea would be happy to come with us.

The rooms were nice--cottage-like

This soon became a "kindle" trip too!!
I think I am now addicted to another form of technology!
I ended up reading four books in 8 days!
Here's Ron relaxing and reading...
best way to spend the day!

the grounds at Hotel Wailea are amazing....

Had dinner at one of our favorite's
Capische
(on the hotel grounds)

I had their amazing Mushroom truffle risotto-
Ron had their seafood paellanext day waiting by the Marriott pool
for our room to be ready...

They never called us--so at 4 we went back to desk
and realized that they had "forgotten us"
and given our room away--
this is what we got instead,
double beds again...

with a great view....

but after talking--very nicely--
to the manager...
they moved us the next day to an
ocean front king size room!

with an amazing view!!
(YEAH, for talking nicely!!)

On my morning walks,
saw dolphins in the Wailea beach bay
hard to take photos--
but there were about 10-12
jumping and playing

then as I was having breakfast on our lanai
saw a guy net fishing---cool--
and he actually caught some!

Ron's partner, Jeff also
attended the course--
so when his wife, Sheila flew into Maui
we all went out for lunch at Mama's Fish House

"Mama's" cool house--
it was featured in Architectural Digest a few years ago

On this trip we decided to try and find--
good "eats" at good prices...
a challenge in Wailea and Maui in general!!
We had already found, Pita Paradise,
next we found Monsoon India--
great food--good prices-

right on the beach...great views too!!

Next day we found...
Coconut's Fish Cafe...
ate there twice...
really fresh fish tacos--great spices
and great prices!!

But we did return to an old favorite,
Nick's Fish market--
we love the KeaLani Fairmont

I also found the perfect quilt for our room at the cabin--
what do your think...
kind of eclectic for a cabin--
but sooooo beautiful
(only problem...it's a queen size, we need a king and
it will take at least 4 months to get it!!
still contemplating the purchase!)

last day...
last meal on the beach

take out from the Fairway's CJ's deli

at my favorite Maui location...
Kapalua Beach...

another great trip to Maui...
I really think we need to retire here
during the months of
January and February--
and maybe March...
since we arrived to snow on the drive home!
I am ready for SUMMER!