Seems like forever since I wrote a new blog, but we have been travelling and access has not been that great and in any case I was on vacation.

I was discussing the relative relaxation attitude of vacation versus normal retirement days with someone and observed that retirement and vacation time is much the same but vacation days cost more.  That was certainly true for this trip.

We flew over to Hawaii and had 5 days on Lana’i where we stayed at the Lana’i inn.  This was a much more affordable place than the 2 resorts on the island.  Pat and I visited both the resorts and they were wonderful with great golf courses but far beyond our budget.  We spent 2 days driving around the island in a rented jeep on roads that a goat would reject.  Rough rides but great adventure with private beaches and great views the reward.  The next 2 days we spent relaxing at Hulopoe Beach which according to Frommer’s travel guide is the best beach  in the US!!!!

 

We went on to spend 10 days in Maui staying at a condo in Maalaea.  Alternating days at the beach or me going snorkelling with drives around this gorgeous island.  One drive was to the top of Haleakala Volcano and another was through the rain forest to Hana.  Both great drives.  But for me the best part of the trip was the snorkelling dives I took to Molokini.  Thousands of fish on a beautiful reef. 

       After Maui we flew back to Honolulu to join the Rhapsody of the Seas for 11 days.  The ship sailed around to various Islands so we could experience several spots.  Went on a tour to the Iao valley and wandered the town of Kona and then took a tour to see recent lava flows and walk on black sand.  Every Island was a unique experience.  A great vacation but we were glad to get home