We're Back, Finally

Well, it wasn't exactly the most streamlined travel day for us, but we're back on Maui and loving it like we never left.

The Flight

It sort of started two months ago, when we found out that our direct flight to the islands had been changed to add a connection. Bummer. It became a factor yesterday when we our flight out of Chicago was delayed for about 45 minutes because of a mechanical issue with the cargo storage area that had to be repaired. We were told initially that we'd be missing our connection in Los Angeles.

Fortunately, we got some good news closer to landing that they were holding open our connection (along with 40 others going to Maui from Chicago), so we didn't miss it after all. It would have been nice to actually have stopped and stretched for a little bit, grab something to eat and not have to run from gate to gate like we had to, but it's over and done with.

The Rental Car

Picking up the rental car seemed to be a little more straightforward and not have too much room for error, right? First, we opted to upgrade from our mid-size car to a full-size car, which at $15/day didn't seem to be that big of a difference (forgetting temporarily that were staying for 2 weeks).

That aside, we lugged our bags out to the spot on the rental care lot that were told and instead of a Grand Prix as we expected, we found a Miata (whoops). So we went back in and they apologized, got us the right car and brought it back to us. We throw in our bags and getting situated. Cindy, while trying to get comfortable for the 45 minute drive to Lahaina from Kahului. The problem was, however, that her seat wouldn't move back ... at all.

Rather than spending two weeks driving our Maui with her knees in her chest (or getting charged for it later), we brought it to their attention once again. I guess the third times a charge because the car the manager brought us next was a Cadillac STS at no extra charge, which blew our minds. It is a little overwhelming to be driving a car like that (which we know we'll never own), but it's fun none the less.

The Hotel

We're back at the Sheraton Maui Resort again this year. Why would we switch, we love it here? It was fun being able to drive out from the airport to the hotel without needing directions or maps, and traffic wasn't even that bad for 5:30pm on a Sunday.

The first room they gave us had a few "issues" that I wouldn't bother to go into. To cut to the chase, we were able to switch rooms to one that's on the fourth floor in the Hale O Ka Moana building again. Actually, we're on the same floor and only six rooms down the hall from the room we had last year. :)

We ended up having dinner down at the Lagoon Bar around 7pm last night, and we missed the Cliff Dive ceremony (not to worry, though). We wrapped up our travel day with a stop over at Safeway ($70 later), and turned in for the night without really unpacking everything.

We're getting ready to head out today for our first breakfast at the hotel this trip, and then heading out to Whalers Village. Cindy is also looking to schedule a spa session for tomorrow, so we're going to look into that (she deserves it). We're planning on heading out to Lahaina town down at Front St. this afternoon as well, so that should be fun to see again.

Aloha for now.