Island Time

 Thursday, Nov. 8th - We are tired from staying out so late. Yup. We were up until 10pm.

The condo is almost out of food but we don’t care. We don’t plan to have the problem we’ve had in past years.

At 5pm we headed out to the Fairmont Kea Lani. We did not plan to dine at the restaurant that had been my favorite for many years... which shall remain nameless.










Instead, we headed to the recently refurbished Ko.








Ko had one of thThe best Chi Chis I’ve had on this side of the island. We chose off the Prix Fixe menu. Oishi Sushi, Lumpia, and Portuguese Bean Soup as appetizers. Entrees included “Paniolo” Bone-In Rib-Eye Steak, Pancit Noodles, and Island Fried Rice. Dessert: Chantilly Cake and Plantation Pineapple Cake.








We rolled home, with many doggie bags, and sat out on the lanai to cool off before heading to bed.

Here comes the wind . . . Trade Winds

Monday, Nov. 5th - Ray heard the call of the cinnamon rolls early this morning. He and Jane stood in line at Cinnamon Roll Fair for a good twenty minutes for freshly baked rolls. I have to warn the readers of this blog that one can inhale their tempting aroma throughout the parking lot and, sometimes, down a block or two in every direction of So. Kihei Road.


“The Herd,” the people from upstairs, is off at the crack of 9am to march their way up and down the coastline of Wailea. It’s no light-hearted undertaking and I am ashamed to say I did not join them. I’d really have to get into shape to join them. Someday . . . maybe.

Jane and Ray head back out to the shore. This time it’s Turtle Town near Makena Landing Beach Park.  Alas they only saw two turtles. They returned to Ulua Beach since the first trip had been so successful, but the water was choppy and vis was poor.

Since the water was choppy . . . that meant the Trade Winds had returned. I cannot wait until tomorrow to see the clear sky and the many blues of the ocean.






Dinner tonight: Humuhumukunukuapua’a located at the Grand Wailea Resort. 

I have been wanting to dine here for the last few years. Making reservations using Open Table makes life for us much easier. They do not participate, which is why it has taken us so long to get there.

Humuhumu was a very cool place. The restaurant was under thatched huts and surrounded by water filled with ocean fish. Inside there was a lagoon where diners could choose their own Hawaiian spiny lobster companion for dinner.


We chose selections off the Prix Fixe menu. Yes, yes . . . I would dine here again.

Last Things To Do Before We Leave

Monday, November 14th:

I can't believe we only have three more days. We're thinking about cleaning out our fridge and gathering our belongings.

It's not that bad. Our fridge really looks more like the pic on the left.

We've been very good about buying only the items we need.

I'm making a real effort to read as many books as I can. This is the only time where I can spend hours at a time reading. It feels wonderful!

Hubby and Mrs. Dirtboy spend some time reading too. And Dirtboy? Well, he has fun doing other things to keep himself occupied.

“Someone” has a bit more work to do, and “Mrs. Someone” isn’t all that pleased about it . . . again.

We have reservations at Spago tonight located at the Four Seasons Resort . Spago was my favorite restaurant last year. I can't wait to see how it measures up this year.

This is pretty much where we sat. Our table overlooked the water and the beautiful Four Season's grounds as well.

We heard the conch blown in the background at sunset, and the torchlighter ran about setting fire to the torches.

Our waiter, Mattew, told us he hailed from the San Francisco area and had relocated to Maui a month ago. I hope he's having a good time on the islands. The service was wonderful. Actually . . . the Four Season's, Spago and DUO, had the best service during this year's trip.

Before ordering there was a taste of Thai Coconut soup presented in a demitasse set before each of us.

I remembered the soup samples they handed out between courses last year. The tomato soup was on this year's menu. Was I willing to pay $22 for a bowl of tomato soup? I'm pretty sure I could make a meal of it with the homemade breads they pass out: caramelized Maui onion focaccia, sourdough, sourdough with rosemary, Kalamata wheat (with olive), and garlic flat bread.

Hubby was compelled to order the Aviation drink.

He also asked for the Spiced Ahi Tuna "Poke" in Sesame-Miso cones. I think I saw a tear roll out of his eye when he bit into one. Yes, it was that good.

Spago did not participate in this year's Wailea Restaurant Week but they did offer a Three Course Prix Fixe sunset menu for $49. After looking over both, we decided on the regular menu.

He ordered the pan seared Ahi.

Mrs. Dirtboy had caramelized Pork Chops with Maui onion and papaya accompanied by baby bok choy and a Maui sweet potato puree.

Dirtboy and I both ordered the Thai Seafood & Pineapple Coconut Red Curry. It came in a little covered bowl, served with brown and Jasmine rice and a trio of chutneys: spicy, coconut, and sweet.

This was so, so, so, so, so good.

We declined the dessert . . . we have Hubby's Birthday cake from a few days before and my Haupia ice cream to finish. When Mattew brought the bill, he also brought this goodie.

There was no room for Haupia ice cream and cake after I ate my snickerdoodle and sweet blackberry.

Mrs. Dirtboy and I are reconsidering the bowl of soup. Dare we go back for dinner once again before we leave?

Just so you know, the dinner off the regular menu was a bit more expensive than the three course meal from the Prix Fixe menu. So I guess the Prix Fixe is a better deal for the diner.

Saturday

November 12th:

It's College Football today . . .

Here is one of our guys watching football. . .

Here's the other one.

We have leftovers for lunch and we make a sizable decrease the number of our boxes

You didn't think we ate all that food every night, did you?

Dinner this evening is at the Four Seasons Resort

At sunset there's the customary blowing of the conch and a guy who runs around in a loincloth to light the torches

This is the final day of Restaurant Week and we dine at DUO

They have an impressive all-you-can-eat Raw Seafood Bar. Crab, shrimp, prawns, poke, and several types of oysters are piled high along this magnificent display.

Seating is indoors, outdoors, we sat someplace in the middle.

The DUO Prix-Fixe menu:

Choice of: DUO Double Chop Salad (Blue Cheese, Spicy Pecans, Pineapple, Bacon bits, Papaya Seed Dressing) or Caramelized Maui Onion Soup with three cheese crust

Entree: Braised Beef Short Rib, Sir Fried Vegetables, Potato Puree or Pan Seared Catch of the Day Sautéed Kale, Fingerling Potato, Mushroom Hash, Red Thai Curry Sauce

Choice of: Island Trifle, layers of Coconut & Guava Custards, sponge cake & Pineapple flambéed in rum or Waialua Estate Crème Brulee with grapefruit sorbet

The service was the best we've had on the island and the food was delicious.

As a bonus we received this piled-high, apple-flavored cotton candy to our table. It was unexpected and fun!

We stayed up until 8pm!

P.S. Maria don't forget about our 1pm scheduled nap!

Day of Few Words

November 10, 2011:

Read.

Nap.

Read.

Dinner.

The once Maui Wowie Salad is now disappointing.

... sigh...

Uninspired.

This was also the worst service I've ever had in Maui. This is so very sad. Nick's Fishmarket was once my very favorite place to eat.

For Work or Play

Wednesday, November 9th

Today was the Scuba dive. Three of the Big Boys, which included the Hubby, met with others of the Scuba Shack at the pier. After a 15 minute ride to Molokini they wet-suited up and donned their tanks, going overboard for a visit to the underwater world.

Hubby said they probably saw every fish depicted on a Hawaiian fish chart

Mrs. Dirtboy and I read and relaxed.

Dirtboy kept himself busy nearly all day by participating in a conference call. Mrs. Dirtboy was not pleased.

We tried to make reservations at Humuhumunukunukuapua’a. They’re booked solid for the next week. I’ve been wanting to eat there for the several years. I guess it’ll have to wait another year more.

At five we headed to Tommy Bahama’s at the Shops of Wailea. I must say they had one of the best chi-chis I’ve tasted. Everyone at my table was of the same opinion.

We enjoyed various selections off their prix-fixe menu: Tortola Tortilla Soup or Bungalow salad with Honey-Lime Vinaigrette

Entrées: Filet medallions with coconut shrimp, “Catch of the Day” grilled with baby bok choy, Alii mushrooms, Molokai sweet mashed potatoes, mango butter sauce, topped with mango salsa or Sanibel Stuffed Chicken, Parmesan-Japanese breadcrumb encrusted, stuffed with cheese & roasted red pepper sauce and seasonal vegetables.

Dessert: Pina Colada Cake, Blackbeard’s Butterscotch pudding, Key Lime Pie

Another perfect day in paradise.