Livin' Large

The condo we were staying in with Martha and Tony was quite nice. We had a huge room/bathroom as well as a full kitchen and sitting room. We opened the connecting doors so that both our rooms combined. Martha and Tony somehow wound up with the smaller unit...I guess during our rush to get in and get changed on Friday night we just went one way they went the other. I did ask if they wanted to switch...but Martha said there was no need. They also had a sitting area and smaller kitchen area. It didn't really matter since we were all together anyway.
Sunday morning we all slept in (well...Tony got up and went for a long run...the rest of us slept in a little). Martha had decided we needed to get the bathrobes that they provide with the rooms(...she had requested them on Saturday) so we got up, made coffee and lounged out on the lanai with the robes and our coffee while we watched the sunrise.

I definitely felt like I was living large...hahah relaxing at a luxury resort, in my robe with my coffee, and of course my I-pod....it was fun. Certainly not something I do regularly!

Maui feels more relaxed than Oahu....more "country" than city feel. Of course we didn't go very far from our destination...so I can't swear to this...but in general it's smaller, and less hectic. I can see why people enjoy living there.
Tony has two sisters that live on Maui, and we enjoyed a cookout with the whole gang on Sunday evening. We hadn't seen Judy and Tom since our last trip to Maui in 1987! so that was great. we have see Maris, Wim, Nic and Maris here and there over the years, but it was fun to be with the whole family all together. It was great to see Maris and Wim, especially since they had just gotten back from a trip to Europe...but they still made the trip over to our part of the island for the cookout.
The resort had grills on site...and we had plenty of room in our "suites" to accommodate everyone. Perfect!

We got to test out the timer application on my new camera....and even though every one was giving me a little grief over this...the pictures turned out great! hahaha

good times with the "in-law in-laws" as we like to call them

After a fun evening the gang headed home and we packed up for our trip back to Oahu on Monday morning. That night we watched the stars for a while and then called it a night. It was a great to be VIPs with Martha and Tony for our weekend in Maui.

Saturday fun in Maui

Saturday morning (1/10/15) Martha and I were signed up to participate in the HOPE ON WHEELS 5K. Martha and I, her staff and their therapy Tucker comprised our "team".

 It was a beautiful day...a little cool first thing, but it warmed up fast. Perfect day for running/walking.
None of us set out to break any records...we were just enjoying the day and taking our time.

 When the race was over there was music, refreshments and an award ceremony. Then it was time for the check presentation.  The last few years Hyundai has given the hospital a check for $75,000.00.
Martha accepted the check and gave a short speech.

The representative from Hyundai

was very proud of the fact that the company has donated over $100,000.00 to research for childhood cancer.

After we finished up and said goodbye, we headed back to our hotel.

          There was a walkway all along the back of the properties...along the beach.

We took it easy and then headed over to check out the golf tournament. John and Tony had gone earlier. When they got there...John took a test drive in one of the Hyundais. I guess they had a camera on him, recording his comments, etc. Maybe he'll be in a commercial back in Korea.The funny thing is he told Tony, who was walking ahead of him, that he was going for a test drive, but Tony didn't hear him...so while John was out driving around, Tony was trying to figure out where the heck he went.hahah When Martha and I got there...we also got to ride in one of the courtesy cars...and then Martha got behind the wheel. Both she and John agreed that the luxury car was pretty nice.

walking down one of the hills

In the distance...where they teed off....

then they rode in a courtesy car up the hill to the green here

We found a spot near the  9th hole and watched a few groups of golfers play through. It wasn't super crowded and it was interesting to watch the fans, the golfers, the volunteers, etc. We had a nice spot in the shade. We watched for a while and then we walked back down the hill to the  18th hole.

There was a merchandise tent of course...we stopped by, but I didn't get anything. There was also an area where you could be videoed swinging a golf club...a few minutes later you got a little flip book

It was made to look like the camera crew was there, the volunteer telling the crowd to be quiet...hahah it was kind of fun. You could also opt to send it to your email...which all made me feel a little old....just to realize what technology we have and what you can do with it...even just for fun.
(there wasn't really any way to copy it well...)

                         We had a nice dinner back at the hotel and enjoyed the sunset.

I write this all down so I don't forget!

I have figured out that the main reason I write this blog is so I will remember everything...not so much to share it with the world...since I have about 5 followers...hahaha. When good (or bad) things happen in my life I like to think about the events and then make note of them. I never really kept a diary, but I have old calendars with notes in them and an old journal type thing that I have written in from time to time. Big celebrations, momentous occasions , disappointments,life changing moments like deaths, births, starts and finishes....that type of thing. I don't read them often...but when I do I realize how glad I am to have made the effort. And so....the blog goes on.

Today's subject....Hawaii Trip - Day Two

After a pretty good nights sleep...I woke up the way I always do when I travel...feeling like I'm in some sort of time warp. The first time I open my eyes and look around I have to remember that I'm not home in my own bed. Martha and Tony both get an early start (like John)...and while I didn't really fully wake up, I was (on some level) aware of activity. The great thing is...I didn't have to get up myself...so I stayed in bed. Later when I did get up...I literally woke up and smelled the coffee...hahah. Tony has a deluxe coffee maker, that probably costs as much as my stove....haha. It brews one cup of coffee at a time...minus the Keurig cups....; you can choose the amount of coffee you want like .5 ounces to 8 ounces. You choose the coffee strength 1-5.....pretty much a cup made just for you each and every time. Plus...Tony buys the coffee beans and roasts them himself....so it's all very fresh! Once John made a trip to the store for my half and half...I was set! (no skim milk or fat free stuff for me!)

Then we watched the sun rise

Tony worked part of the day then came home and took John and I on a walking tour around Waikiki.Our first stop was the local Elks Lodge. Tony figured out a while back that for the cost of the yearly membership, he would have access not only to the club facilities...but also a prime place to park while enjoying all the amenities of downtown.

The place has a cool,

comfortable vibe. It was great. (we were there early...before the lunch crowd) Martha enjoys the fact that it is right next door to the  more"famous" Outrigger Club...and in fact...they(The Elks) own the property that houses the Outrigger Club.

view out back

We set out on our walk with Tony leading the way

We went through the park...and stopped to pose by the statue of surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku

We past some huge Banyan trees

The palace

the government building

                                            and the statue of Queen Liliuokalani

                 *I like how people leave the leis on the various statues....kind of fun
We walked around for about two hours...1 hour up and 1 hour back....John and Tony wouldn't let me stop in any of the stores we passed....they told me to take note and I could shop on our next trip downtown. Believe me there were a lot of places I wanted to " just take a peek"....but I behaved. They did allow to go into the local ABC store....not the same as ABC here...there it's a drug store or general store. They are everywhere....and most seem to keep busy.
There were still some Christmas decorations here and there

a lot of the stores have these sand sculptures during the holidays...this is the only one we saw

We walked down past some of the hotels along the beach....all the way down to the Royal Hawaiian

....which happens to be the place where Brenna and Josh took surf lessons when they visited in February 2014.
Friday the 9th, we were heading over to Maui for events associated with the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. ( pro golf tournament). Martha and Tony had rented a condo for the weekend just down the hill from the Ritz Carlton where the tournament was being held. We had some passes for the event and invitations to a big dinner/concert celebration on Friday night. Hyundai has the event every year for the golfers and their families and from what I understand it's a reward for top salesmen or employees of the company.

Hyundai also makes a donation to the Kapiolani Hospital for Women and Children every year - money towards research for childhood cancer. John and I got to join the hospital group at the event.

Martha and her staff...(note the size of the room)

We enjoyed things like the Hoisin-Marinated Beef Short Ribs With Wasabi Mashed Potatoes and (my favorite) Crab Cannelloni with Lemon Cream Sauce, and Lavender Strawberry Cobbler. Four different  Maui restaurant chefs had stations around the "room"...each one had two featured dishes. Everything was delicious. They also had entertainment...a group of four women violinists were the opening act....it's hard to describe...but they were great. They were there last year and everyone enjoyed them so much they were invited back to perform again this year. Roger Feherty (spokesman for the Golf Channel) and a couple of the Hyundai guys spoke...and then they introduced Kelly Clarkson. I can't say they I am a "fan"...I don't dislike her music...just never really listened to much of it...but she sounded great and I enjoyed it all. Decided I might have to listen to some of the songs again and maybe add one or two to my playlist.

It was not a big auditorium or stadium...so the music sounded great...it was like a private concert. The crowd all seemed to enjoy it. Apparently last year they had a "social hour" first, where the crowd could mingle with the golfers and others...this year when we arrived everyone was pretty much seated at individual tables....which meant you didn't have to look around for a seat...but it also meant that most people pretty much found a spot and stayed put...so not as much socializing was going on.*We did get there a little later than we had hoped...Martha worked that morning and then we caught an afternoon flight over to Maui. Our flight was a little delayed, then we still had to get the rental car and go check in at the condo/hotel. You never saw four people walk so fast...we checked in, told the bellman NOT to do anything with our bags and don't park the car just leave it out front,...since we had to go make a quick change and come right back.We all walked as fast as possible with all our gear. Got to the rooms...threw our stuff down and make a quick change into our "evening wear". Then we quickly walked back out to our waiting car....the staff was looking at us like "Huh??? how they get back out here so fast?" hahah (and manage to look so good...hahaha)
 It looked like they had one golfer and family at each table with the with the  Hyundai employees who were attending the event. It was all very nice....John and I were happy we got to be a part of it all.
Saturday Martha and I and her staff members were participating in a "5k Hope On Wheels" event. We were going to walk and then Hyundai was presenting Martha (the hospital) a check. More on that next time.