Travel Plans for 2016: What Actually Happened

I was looking back at a post from the beginning of this year, where I plotted out my travel for the year. Some of the trips were on the books already, and others came about because I moved mid-year.

There were also some destinations that I thought about that didn't make the calendar for 2016....fortunately there's a whole new year ahead!

Where did I actually go in 2016?

Oahu 

Started the new year off right visiting a friend 

Big Island 

After 2+ years in Hawaii, I finally went to see the volcano.   And the southernmost bakery in the United States (important!).    

San Diego

When the year started, I didn't know where I would be moving, but it seemed likely that my next career move would happen in 2016.     I moved from Maui to San Diego in May.   Of course, this opened up a whole new city to explore, so I did a lot of local things over the second half of this year.

Some of my San Diego / SoCal experiences this year:  Balboa Park, USS Midway, Bike the Bay, Bike MS Bay to Bay, People-watching during Comic Con, Knott's Berry Farm,  Harbor Cruises, Going to a Padres game, Hiking Torrey Pines State Park, Moonlight hike of Cowles Mountain, Taste of Adams Ave, Taste of South Park, and the San Diego Santa Run.  

A Hui Hou Maui!

Hello San Diego!

Door County, Wisconsin 

I usually go every summer to fill up on cheese curds and kringle while visiting family.     This year, I'm also going for Christmas.   The real feel today was supposed to be -9 degrees.    My Hawaii / SoCal blood is NOT ready for that.    

Green Bay in summertime 

Colorado 

This is another annual trip, for the Jazz Aspen Music festival over Labor Day.    Also my best opportunity to visit with my family and friends in Denver.     I took a second spontaneous weekend trip in November, just because I'm back on the mainland and I can.

Always so beautiful, Colorado

Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania

I visited a friend who is a missionary in eastern Hungary and then went on a river cruise from Budapest to Bucharest with my mom.  

Cabbage Festival Time

Mexico 

When the year started, I thought I might be going to Playa del Carmen in the spring, but in reality, I took a day trip to cross the border here in California to go wine tasting in the Valle de Guadalupe.

Baja Coast

What adventures near and far did you have in 2016?   

Where are you going in 2017?

National Parking: Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Hawai'i has so many unique and beautiful places to explore.   I was excited to have a chance to island hop over from Maui to Big Island this spring to finally see it!

Compared to Maui, Big Island is exactly that...big.   Big roads, bigger distances, and stretches of highway where you can't see the ocean (gasp!).     We flew in and out of Kona so that we could fly Mokulele.     Hilo is the airport that's closest to the park, though.   

Friends who visited me in 2015 stayed at the Volcano Inn and recommended it, so that's where we stayed as well.   It's in a perfect location for hiking the park and for going back at night to see Kīlauea at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Kīlauea Crater is an active volcano.   To see the glowing lava, you'll want to come back to the park at night.    During the day, its bright enough that you probably won't see anything, although you may smell it.   

Breakfast area at the Volcano Inn 

On the Kona side of the island, it's dry and hot.  If you are anywhere on the Hilo side of Big Island, you need to be prepared for rain.  At any time.   We hiked the Kīlauea Iki Trail and alternated between coats on /coats off, and hats on / hats off.   This hike is about 4 miles through the still steaming Kīlauea Iki Crater.   The visitor's center has a good video that shows the eruption in 1959.   

The Kīlauea Iki Crater from above

Part of the trail involves following the ahu.  There are stacked rocks that guide your way through the crater since the lava doesn't lend itself to an easily followed trail.  

You know what to do
Follow the ahu!

Rainforest all around the crater

Hiking into the unknown

After your hike, you're going to be hungry.   Good news, Ken's House of Pancakes is open 24 hours a day in Hilo.     Might I suggest corned beef hash eggs benedict?   Not pictured:  the pancakes with tropical fruit syrups that went with this.   But know that they were consumed with enthusiasm.

Heading to Big Island to visit Volcanoes National Park? 

• You'll be renting a car, so plan ahead.
• Volcano Inn has great rates, and partially because they don't take credit cards.  You'll need to mail your payment in advance to book your room.
• A 7 day pass as of June 1, 2016 is $20 per vehicle.   If you're planning to visit both Volcanoes NP on Big Island and Haleakala NP on Maui, you can by the Hawai'i Tri-Parks pass for $25 and that's good for a whole year.   
• Bring your beach clothes for the Kona side and your rain gear for the Hilo side.
• If you're driving the whole island, you'll definitely want to stop at the Punalu'u Bake Shop for lilikoi malasadas.    It's the southern most bakery in the United States! 

So ono!

Other National Parks to Love:

Valor in the Pacific - Pearl Harbor  - Oahu

Haleakala National Park - Maui

Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle

Black Canyon of the Gunnison - Colorado

Mount Rushmore - South Dakota

Yellowstone National Park - Wyoming (home of my favorite summer job)

My Travel Plans for 2016

Airplanes and I have spent a lot of time together over the past month.    The first half of December was all Myanmar and Thailand.    I came home, put in a solid 8 days of work, and then hopped on another flight to Denver for Christmas.   I came home, after a flight delay that resulted in a non-stop flight instead of a 2-stop connection {win!}, put in another solid 2 days of work, then went to Oahu to celebrate the start of this new year.

Last year I didn't have a new year's resolution, per se, rather a slogan that I put up in my kitchen.
I couldn't miss it.

Do It When I See It.  

Often I will think of something:  running a 5k, going to a festival, calling a friend, buying concert tickets - then I will get sidetracked with the general business of life, and I don't always get it done.   With my Do It When I See It mentality, I got more fun out of my year.   Hello Hong Kong?   That started with an idle thought in December of 2014 as well as a few messages to friends who might be interested and then in March 2015 it materialized into a real trip.

For 2016, I'm thinking about a word for the year.    One article I read listed three questions to consider:

1.  What do I need?
2.  What's in my way?
3.  What needs to go?

I'm working my way through those questions honestly and in depth.   I've made my way to a short list of words that may define my focus this year.  

No matter what word I select, it will tie into travel because that is one of my priorities every year.

2016 Confirmed Travel Plans

Every time I read a disturbing article about how American's don't use all their vacation time, I struggle.   That's never been my problem.    In fact, I could always use more.   Can I have yours?

I started January 1st off by going to Oahu.  This was made easier by being a short 35 minute flight from Maui from which we could see whales from the plane.  Whales!

Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, Oahu

In May, I'll be going to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, with some friends for birthday shenanigans.   The birthday is not mine.   The shenanigans?  Well, they probably will be.

In September, I'm planning to visit a friend who is living in Teglas, Hungary and then follow it up by joining my mom on a river cruise from Budapest to Bucharest.   I've never been on a European river cruise.  Bring on the wine, culture and scenery.

Sometime this spring, I will visit Big Island.    The volcano is there and I must see.   Also, macadamia nuts and coffee.

America's Dairyland never disappoints and a trip to visit family in Wisconsin is on deck.   Usually it's summer, but maybe this year, I'll branch out to a different season.

Colorado will play host to our 4th annual sister's weekend to the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Music Experience.    In fact the Do It When I See It mantra stems from the fact that each December the tickets go on sale as Blind Faith passes.   You don't know who is performing.   And each year, even though we know we're going, we miss this reduced price ticket window.   Not this year!  We already have our tickets.

2016 Wish List Travel Plans

With all the time in the world on my 7 hour flight last week, I pulled the world map out of the airline magazine.    On the US map, I started circling all the places I'd been.    And noticed some holes on the map.

My phone GPS tried to send me a message to visit New Jersey...and my college roommate confirmed the message.   When I landed in Maui, instead of showing Kahului weather, it showed Newark.    I've technically been in NJ since traveled by bus from Newark to New York City - my criteria is that I've left the airport.   However, the rest of the state is a mystery to me.  

Sadly, I haven't given the Southeast much time and attention either.   Looking at the map, I want to explore Savannah and Charleston.  I've also got friends in North Carolina who could use a good visiting.

My international wishlist is never-ending and with two international trips on the books for this year, I think I'm good.   If a bonus international trip pops up, I'll be sure to share.

No doubt a few more locations will hit my wish list this year.   If I don't get there in 2016, maybe they can roll to the 2017 confirmed trip list!

Where are you going in 2016?    What locations are on your wish list? 

Hiking the Pipiwai Trail, Maui

Waimoku Falls
Pipiwai Trail

Happy August to you!

I'm not a parent, but I feel that back to school starts sooner and sooner.    Friends of mine here in Maui had students starting last week.  In July!

There are pros and cons of being a working adult.   Keeping my summer mindset past July is one of the pros.   

Back in May, almost 3 months ago now, I put together my summer fun list.   I've made some progress, including trips to Kauai and Wisconsin, as well as my first attempt at Stand Up Paddling (SUP) and enjoying an alcoholic hibiscus iced tea at Frida's Mexican Beach House.    

I recently added two more to the list:  Driving the Back Road to Hana and Hiking the Pipiwai Trail.   

The trail was the destination....the back road was the journey.

Last year when my family was visiting, we drove the official road to Hana, going from Paia to Hana Town.    If you want to be entertained, read Trip Advisor  reviews about the road to Hana.   People have so many  feelings.  It's their favorite part of their vacation.  They never want to do it again.   They do it every time they  come Maui.   It was a wasted day of their trip.  

The road to Hana, or the back road to Hana, isn't about Hana Town.   However, if you go to Hana, don't miss the Huli Huli chicken stand on the beach.  

The chicken in question

Yes to Aloha

The road to Hana is a journey.  It's an exploration of the beautiful island of Maui.    

The back road to Hana is road of mystery and superstition.  Primarily because of rental car contracts and rumors about the condition of the road.   The biggest issue with the back road is that you're far away from any towns or tow trucks if you have an emergency.     There are about 5 miles of on again off again paving with gravel and another few miles with really bumpy blacktop.    

What does the back road to Hana look like?

Windy roads...sometimes one lane

The other Maui wind  turbines that no one knows about

St. Joseph Church
They only hold services on months with 5 Sundays

Dramatic cliffs and black sand beaches

It's about a 2 hour drive from Kula, in upcountry Maui, to the Pipiwai Trail, in the Kipahulu section of Haleakala National Park.     You can buy a Hawaii annual parks pass for $25.  Otherwise, the private vehicle daily pass is good for three days and you can use it at the summit as well as Kipahulu.

The Pipiwai Trail sometimes gets the name of Bamboo Forest hike, since you're hiking through....wait for it...bamboo.

However, where I work, we refer to this hike, at mile marker 6.5 on Hana Highway, as the Bamboo Forest hike.   So you have options for your bamboo hikes.   Options are good.

The Pipiwai Trail is 4 miles total, out and back.   The trail is well marked, and you can tell where you shouldn't go based  on the red signs that say "don't go past this point."  

The first waterfall we came across on the trail wasn't in full steam here in July.   In fact, we saw some people hike this far, then turn around and go back.

 If you go back now, you miss the bamboo, bridges, boardwalk and Waimoku Falls at the end.

Bamboo and boardwalks

Maui, as always, is No Ka Oi (the best).    I'm glad I had this hike on my list.    I look forward to hiking it again.

Do you have a favorite Hawaii Hike?   

Summer Fun List 2015

I didn't know that summer bucket lists were even a thing, but as I've been catching up on all the good things the internet has to offer, the lists are there.

After seeing Edward Readicker-Henderson present at TEDxMaui "Kill Your Bucket List", I've decided that I'm opting for a fun list instead.   Last summer I was all about the #100happydays which made me focus on something happy and good every day.  

What is it about sending a message in a bottle that people want to put it on their list?  I've read quite a few lists and it showed up twice.   Hmmm.   I live on an island.   No way am I throwing a bottle of any  kind  into the ocean.   Not gonna happen.  

Now s'mores on the other hand?   That can go on every summer list.   I had s'mores last weekend at our family reunion in Monterey and, as always, they were delicious.   All three of them.   Maybe four. You can't have too many s'mores?  Right?

Before the thought of a list had crept into my brain, I'd already planned things that definitely fall into my Summer Fun List.    So now, I'll have two categories:  Confirmed Fun and Opportunities for More Fun.

Confirmed Summer Fun

Kauai
In my 18+ months living in Maui, I haven't made it to Kauai yet.   I was there 10 years ago, and next weekend, I'll fly over to enjoy approximately 54 hours on the Garden Isle.    I don't have many plans other than lounging by the pool and going out for ice cream.    

Wisconsin
Wisconsin is actually a hotbed of summer fun.   Much more fun in the summer than in the winter.   I'll be catching up with my family in Door County and the Milwaukee area.  Cheese curds, cherries, Leinenkugel's...it's all there.

Concerts
I'm mainland bound twice this summer and concerts are tied into both trips.    I've seen Kenny Chesney every other year since 2003, and this summer will be the second time I'll seen him perform at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.   My sister and I also started a tradition (we're in the third year, so it must be a tradition, right?) of going to the Jazz Aspen Snowmass music festival over Labor Day weekend.     The lineup this year includes Hozier, No Doubt, The Fray and Lenny Kravitz.  

Colorado
In addition to quality mountain and music time with my sister, I'll have the chance to visit friends and fave places in Denver.    Has my blood thinned out after living at sea level?   I'll find out.

Opportunities for More Fun

Big Island
Ever since I moved to Maui, I've been thinking about visiting Big Island, only a hop away, to check out  the volcano.   Time to make that thought a reality.  

SUP
I haven't gone stand up paddle-boarding yet.   Hard to believe, especially since I can walk down to the beach and rent a board easily.

Take a Surfing Lesson
Another opportunity that I should take advantage of here in Maui.  

Hike the Pipiwai Trail
Famous for bamboo forests and waterfalls at the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park.   It's past Hana, so a bit of a drive from where I live, but I know it will be worth it.  

Drive the Backside of the Road to Hana
I've driven as far as Kipahulu on the road to Hana and I've been as far as Ulupalakua in the Upcountry...it's time to connect the dots and see the whole road.  

Take a Tour of the Hali'imaile Distilling Company
I love food and beverage tours.  Even better when I get to sample something.  

Snorkel at Ahini-Kinau Natural Area Reserve
I've been to the end of the road twice.   The first time I didn't have my snorkel gear, and the second time the water was too choppy.  

Enjoy the Hibiscus Iced Tea (with alcohol this time) at Frida's Mexican Beach House
Last time I was at a work function, so had the virgin version, but next time....

I feel like there's more to come, but for now, at least I have a start!
What are your summer fun plans?

The Welcome to Maui 48 Hour Tour

Aloha Friends!

Today we're talking about the things you could do in a little over 48 hours in Maui.  I recently had friends visiting Hawaii for the first time and had lots of fun planning what we could do that would be a good introduction and taste of Maui.   They could enjoy different parts of the island for their first few days without having to make any plans - just enjoying the adventure....and I did too.

Arrival
I like to to pick people up at the airport.   If you've never been to Hawaii before, you may have an image in your mind of an arrival in paradise, complete with palm trees, tropical breezes, live music and a fresh flower lei.  Palm trees and breezes are a given.   Some days there is arrival music too.   In reality, if you'd like a lei greeting at the airport, you often have to arrange it yourself   How unfun is that?    

When I go to pick up friends or family at the airport, I park the car and meet them in baggage claim with a fresh lei.   I pick out leis different than the standard purple orchid lei, since odds are that my visitors might get one of those later on, at a hotel or a luau.   Tuberose leis smell amazing.   And while everyone looks exhausted standing at the baggage claim and is dreading the wait at the car rental desk, you've got a lei around your neck and a smile on your face.   You already look and feel like you're on vacation, even if you're still wearing structured pants and shoes.  

Break into that luggage.   Trade your shoes for slippahs (flip flops) and get ready to jump in Maui!

Our next stop is Iao Valley State Monument.     It's a quick ride from the Kahului airport, it's lush and green complete with a waterfall.   You can get out, stretch your legs, soak in a view that doesn't involve the ocean,  and get ready for the 45 minute drive to Lahaina.  

So we're sipping on Passion Orange juice and cruising the highway, listening to some island jams on the radio - on the way we stopped at the scenic overlook past Ma'alaea.    It's still late whale season, would we see any?    It was our lucky  day.    Even if whale season is over, it's a great spot to pull over and look at the ocean...it's what you came here for, after all.

The time difference is real.   It's only early afternoon or evening in Hawaii and you feel like you've been up for days, staying awake until 8pm is going to take willpower.   So let's go have some  pau hana (literally, work's done) drinks by the water.

Dirty Banana....so ono

I really like Aloha Mixed Plate in Lahaina.   It's right along the water, super casual, the drinks are cold and the food is tasty, fast and at a good value.    No need to change clothes or shower, just roll into town, find a place to park and grab a Dirty Banana or Mai Tai  from the bar.   By the time dinner and cocktails are done and the sun has gone down, it's time to head home.    

Full Day 1

You like to hike and explore?   Let's get muddy, wet and climb waterfalls, shall we?   You'll really feel like you're in Hawaii.    We headed over to the other side on the beginning of the road to Hana to do the Bamboo Forest hike.   Some guidebooks mention it, some don't, and none of them call it Bamboo Forest - but that's how the hike was introduced to me, so it will always be that way.  

Waterfall #4

After the hike, we rolled down to the Twin Falls Farm Stand for some smoothies and coconut candy.   I  had never checked out the falls there, so we walked around the grounds while enjoying our treats.   Getting ready to head back to Paia for lunch, we stopped at Ho'okipa Beach to check out the big waves, kite surfers and to see if there were any sea turtles sunning themselves.    It was an epic day for honus - there were 20 on the beach!

All the honus

After that, we're sunned and hungry - it's time for some lunch at Milagros in Paia.    The ahi burrito is my favorite, along with a happy hour margarita with a  li hing mui rim.  

On our way out the door in morning, my friends suggested we stop at Goodwill to look for some Aloha wear - they were going to be in Hawaii for 2 weeks, why not get something new for their stay.   Poppin' tags was a success, and we all walked out the door with something to show for our efforts.   I am now the proud owner of an insulated mason-jar style mug that says Let the Shenanigans Begin. As a friend on Facebook reminded me "Jenni, didn't the shenanigans start a long time ago?"   Yes.   But they begin again each day in my heart.

Then we reached a crossroads.   We were full from lunch, but 24 hours in Hawaii had elapsed and my friends haven't had shave ice yet.  Not an option.  Off to the new Ululani's location in Wailuku introduce them to the wonders of shave ice.   There's always room for shave ice.  Always.

Last stop of the day was to pull off at airport beach in Ka'anapali to crash on the sand and enjoy the sunset.  

Full Day 2

Time to get out on the water!   We headed out  with the Pacific Whale Foundation on their Lana'i Snorkel and Dolphin Watch half-day  trip.   Not even halfway to Lana'i, we see a mother and calf humpback whale who were enjoying an extended stay before heading back to the chilly waters of Alaska.   The dolphins were bow-riding the boat, we saw bottle-nose dolphins on the way over to Lana'i and Hawaiian spinner dolphins on the return trip.    The snorkeling off the cost of Lana'i was beautiful and the boat even had a slide.    Did we slide?  Of course!    A bbq lunch and mai tais on the cruise back to Lahaina Harbor put us in a relaxed mood for the afternoon.

Proof that we saw dolphins

 
We enjoyed the shade of the Banyan Tree, looked at the crafts, and checked out some of the shops.   And we might have had more shave ice.

So many flavors, so little time.

And then to rest, shower, and prepare our stomachs for an exceptional meal at Japengo.    Everything on the menu is great, from the curry dusted calamari for a starter to the malasadas for dessert.  

What do you think?    What are the first things you'd like to do when you come to Maui?
Do you have a favorite restaurant or site that you like to share with visitors?

National Parking: World War II Valor in the Pacific - Pearl Harbor

Never Forget

World War II is a defining moment in our US History.  As our WWII veterans pass on, that history goes from stories told in person to something that is just in the history books.     World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument in Oahu, Hawaii, still has the living history:  veterans come to the monument to share their stories.   

I had the privilege to meet and hear the story of Delton Walling, who served on the USS Pennsylvania.  His military story starts before he even enlisted.  He had a bad finger from boxing and when asked how he would be able to get into the Navy, the doctor said to cut it off.   And he did.  

 I was there a few days before the 73rd anniversary of D Day in December.   Almost all of the USS Arizona survivors were coming.   But all is a small number  - the remaining survivors are all in their 90s.   Our tour guide for the day knew the veterans who visit and return annually by name and gets emotional when she speaks of them.

My grandfather served in the military during WWII in Europe.  He passed away before I was born, but as my mom and I were taking the boat over to the USS Arizona, she shared his story.   

So we don't forget.     

Valor in the Pacific National Monument in Pictures 

Mighty Mo - the USS Missouri

All sunken ships in the Harbor have a marking at the surface
The USS Arizona also has some visible smoke stacks

USS Arizona Memoria

USS Bowfin Submarine

Have you been to Pearl Harbor?

If you love our National Parks,  you might enjoy:

National Parking:  Haleakala National Park

National Parking:  Klondike Gold Rush

National Parking:  Mount Rushmore

National Parking:  My Other Passport

National Parking:  Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Whales for Days

Whales!

It's Whale Season!

Our winter visitors, the Humpback Whales, are back in Hawaii.   It's that magical time of year when the whales swim 2,000+ miles from the chilly, food rich waters of Alaska to enjoy the warm Aloha of Hawaii for mating and calving.     Whale season runs from November through April.  It's peak season right now.   The guides call it whale soup or whale popcorn, because they are everywhere.   And it's awesome.

Getting a good picture of a whale is a combination of good luck and clicking at the right time.  
I suppose a lightening fast shutter or burst mode doesn't hurt either.

A lot of my whale pictures look like this...

A whale was there, I promise

I went on two different trips this past week.   I would highly recommend them both.     First, was the Discover Molokini snorkel trip from Trilogy Excursions.   You start the day with coffee and cinnamon rolls, cruise to Molokini, snorkel, eat lunch, bask in the sun, and sail back with mai tais.   This time of year, there is the added bonus of, you guessed it, whales.    I didn't take an underwater camera to Molokini, just wanting to soak in the moment, so you'll just have to imagine brightly colored fishes of all shapes and colors.  

I'll have a mai tai.   Maybe two.

A lovely morning for a photo safari

I also went on a Whale Photo Safari with the Pacific Whale Foundation.    This is a small group raft trip with serious photographers in mind.    My camera was probably the smallest on board.  I saw some of the pictures from the staff photographer on board - absolutely amazing.  You could see the baleen in the whale's mouth.    

Boats can only approach whales up to a certain distance, but if the whale chooses to swim closer, or, ahem, come right up behind the raft, that's just fine.   We lucked out with amazing whale action all morning including mother and baby whales and crazy competition pod action. Competition pods are groups of bachelors vying for the attention of a lovely lady whale.    There's a lot of breaching, fighting and fin slapping.   Must be how those bachelors show their worth.  

Baby whale learning how to breach

Well hello there friend

This makes three whale excursions so far this season, and I will probably go again.   It never gets old.

Have you been on a whale watch?    Where did you go?
Where's your favorite place to see animals in their natural habitat?