11-10-14

Martin: Ceramic tile work above the Puerta Del Vino (Wine Gate). It's the entrance to the main complex.

Me: Harley modeling our newly reupholstered patio furniture. We had two couches, two love seats, and 2 chairs from the 1960's (remember the white iron frame & bright yellow cushions?). Shawn repainted the white iron earlier this year to a dark oil rubbed bronze. And a few weeks ago a local guy replaced the scratchy old coverings with soft Sunbrella (fade resistant) fabric. Luckily the stuffing inside was in excellent condition. I'm really happy with the deal we got & super happy with how they came out!

We did 12 cushions in wheat yellow & 12 cushions in this rust color. Harley is quite happy with her new lookout spot. Watch out bunnies. ;-)

Bob & James approve too, relaxing after a day of work. I think I'm going to have rust throw pillows made to put on the wheat chairs and then I'll put the floral pillows I have on the rust chairs. Maybe put one wheat yellow button in the middle of the rust pillows. What do you think?

11-9-14

Martin: Inside the Palace of Charles the 5th. The palace is square on the outside and has a circular courtyard inside - simple classical, unfinished and never occupied by Charles.

Me: Great to see this face again. We missed Harley in Hawaii.

11-8-14

 

Martin: Corner of the Palace of Charles the 5th in the Alhambra. First stop on the tour. This palace was a later addition to the Alhambra and totally out of place with the rest of the buildings inside the Alhambra. Boring compared to the intricate Moorish architecture. Built more as a statement of the Christian Empire setting up on the site of a previous Muslim stronghold.

Me: Cave Creek Cactus Classic.

Bob & I flew the red-eye from Maui to Los Angeles yesterday morning. Landed in LA at 7am and luckily got on a flight to Phoenix at 9:30am. Home by noon, took a nap, ate supper, went to bed & raced this morning at the Cave Creek Cactus Classic. It was a really cool event and we knew many others competing. Our good friend, Kata was 1st place woman overall (awesome job, Kata!) and I came in 4th! Bob wasn't far behind either. It was 24 miles of dirt, hills + rocks. Glad we did it!

11-7-14

Martin: Waiting in the hotel lobby for our guide to collect us for the tour of the Alhambra.

Me: Dreaming about Hawaii on our travel day home. 

We're leaving Maui with some great memories!

11-6-14

Martin: Restaurant advertising.

Me: Proof that Bob does yoga! Day 3 of sunrise yoga in Hawaii. Today we practiced on our own since there wasn't a class at the Hyatt. PS: Don't tell Bob that I posted a photo of him doing yoga. He's trying to keep it on the down low. ;-)

And for the record…Bob can jump higher than Jane (me).

But I can run on water! :-)

Mid morning we drove to Napili Beach to eat at The Gazebo. This cafe' always has a line out the door but it's worth the wait. Bob had a fried rice & egg dish while I had white chocolate macadamia nut pancakes with coconut syrup. Words can not describe just how good this was but it was like eating cake for breakfast. Sweet & yummy!

After breakfast we relaxed on D.T. Flemmings Beach. Bob's an excellent sleeper - however it must help to have a real life ocean sound machine.

We woke from our sugar coma nap & headed back to the Hyatt to pack our bags. Tonight we take the 11pm red-eye flight to Los Angeles. 

Our 3 day stay on Maui was just perfect. We didn't see and do everything but we got a good feel for island life here. Gorgeous land & great people. Aloha!

11-5-14

Martin: This lane was the only entrance to our hotel in Granada. Spent half an hour trying to locate the place as all the lanes were one way and we kept on driving past this one - no sign posts to the hotel. A well kept secret!

Me: Bob & I started our day with another yoga class on the beach. Namaste.

Then we walked to the north end of Kaanapali Beach to snorkel by Black Rock. It was a good area to see a variety of fish & coral.

Later we packed a bag, jumped in our jeep & took off to see some sights. First stop…a road side fruit stand. Mmmm, fresh local produce.

What a cool colorful smoothie truck!

Our hike in Iao Valley State Park was amazing.
We were surrounded by 50 shades of green. ;-)

This is Iao Needle; a Maui landmark & significant lookout point in Battle of Kepaniwai.

Lush ferns. I wish we could grow these in Arizona.

Enjoyed the beautiful trek deeper into Iao Valley.

Clouds rolling in but no rain. Perfect hiking conditions.

 After our hike in central Maui we drove to the south end of the island to "Big Beach".
It WAS big.

See Jane Run

See Jane Jump

See Jane Jump higher

See Bob throw Jane

After our play time we drove to the north end of Maui. We made a quick stop in Paia; a funky hippie town. Most of the stores were closed but we did get in a few which was fun. Mama's Fish Market (just 2 miles from Paia) was our supper destination. This place came highly recommended & it  did not disappoint. It was so delicious! This place has a great history having been started by a couple from Sacramento. In the 50's they sailed across the South Pacific & embraced the Polynesian culture. They settled in Maui in 1963, bought beach front property for $18,000 & in 1973 opened Mama's Fish House. It has grown to be very popular! Mama & her husband are in their 80's now and live in a beach home next to the restaurant. If you ever go to Maui…Mama's Fish House is a must stop!

11-4-14

Martin: Love the variety of doors in Spain. This one was the entrance door to our hotel. Hotel Hesperia Granada.

Me: What a funny surprise to have Bob greet me at the Maui airport as a Hawaiian chauffeur. I spotted the "Meneely" sign coming down the escalator before I realized it was Bob all dressed up like a local. :-) He had our rented jeep ready. We drove to the Hyatt Regency in Kaanapali, had some sushi & a Mai Tai at Japengo & called it a night. 

This morning we were up early enough to see the sunrise. What a beautiful time of day!

We walked along the beach & pinched ourselves for being in Hawaii!

7:00am Yoga.

We took advantage of the hotel fitness classes. I love that Bob is liking yoga as much I do. Shhhh, he doesn't want anyone to know. ;-)

After yoga we drove to Napili Beach for breakfast & snorkeling. We hit "Turtle Jackpot" just south of this cove when we swam with 7 giant green turtles. I wish we had pics. Sea turtles are my favorite & this was definitely a trip highlight!

Our relaxing breakfast spot at the Sea House restaurant. Fresh guava juice + yummy eggs & pineapple sausage.

Picture perfect Hawaii. Kaanapali Beach.

After snorkeling Bob & I walked around Lahaina; a little whaling village with funky shops, street crafts & restaurants. I don't remember the name of our happy hour spot but it had the best Poke appetizer. Sunset view from their balcony was amazing!

For supper we walked north of our hotel to Hula Grill. More delicious food!

Our first day on Maui was full of playing hard, eating well & a little relaxing in between.
A wonderful day in Hawaii!