Final comments on Maui trip
We spent a little time in the LAX USO during our return trip Los Angeles layover...lots of Bob Hope memorabilia, very nice USO though you have to depart the terminal and walk a couple blocks outside security. Arrived back in Denver on schedule. A few comments about the trip:
1. We flew on Delta's "Basic Economy" fares for the first time...very cheap tickets that come with no assigned seats until check-in 24 hours prior to takeoff, and no free checked bags, though a carry-on and personal item were free. Since we had the Delta Amex credit card, we got 2 free checked bags, so it was a good value flight, and the seats were acceptable, though very hard to sleep in coach seats. Southwest is going to start flying to Hawaii soon, which could drive down flight costs.
2. Everything on Maui is expensive...expect to spend 30-50% more than on the mainland, except at Costco!
3. Best time for whale watching is probably Jan-Mar...we were early in the season in early December, and the whales were relatively sparse.
4. Driving the road between Lahaina and Hana is not recommended. There are so many turns and narrow bridges that it's supposedly called the Road of Divorce, since there is so much yelling between the driver and passenger. Plus the driver has to pay such close attention that he sees virtually nothing. Take a tour (about 10 hrs roundtrip) and leave the driving to someone else, the scenery is definitely worth it!
5. Driving the southern road along the Maui coast from Hana is not recommended. There's not that much to see and the road along significant stretches is poor quality, dirt, and dangerous.
6. Sunset watching is well worth it.
7. The northwest part of the island is definitely the place to stay, it's where most of the activity is and has some of the best beaches.
7. Buy tours thru Travelzoo if available.
8. Driving to the top of Haleakala can be dicey...can be very windy, drizzly, and cold, making the ability to see anything questionable. We did not stay very long at the top or do any hiking because of weather conditions. We drove up - glad we didn't take a tour.
9. High winds can make the snorkeling and even swimming in the surf dangerous. Temps were perfect, though water temp was pretty chilly.
10. It was a great time to go to avoid the crowds.
11. Maui is a beautiful island - so glad we went!!
1. We flew on Delta's "Basic Economy" fares for the first time...very cheap tickets that come with no assigned seats until check-in 24 hours prior to takeoff, and no free checked bags, though a carry-on and personal item were free. Since we had the Delta Amex credit card, we got 2 free checked bags, so it was a good value flight, and the seats were acceptable, though very hard to sleep in coach seats. Southwest is going to start flying to Hawaii soon, which could drive down flight costs.
2. Everything on Maui is expensive...expect to spend 30-50% more than on the mainland, except at Costco!
3. Best time for whale watching is probably Jan-Mar...we were early in the season in early December, and the whales were relatively sparse.
4. Driving the road between Lahaina and Hana is not recommended. There are so many turns and narrow bridges that it's supposedly called the Road of Divorce, since there is so much yelling between the driver and passenger. Plus the driver has to pay such close attention that he sees virtually nothing. Take a tour (about 10 hrs roundtrip) and leave the driving to someone else, the scenery is definitely worth it!
5. Driving the southern road along the Maui coast from Hana is not recommended. There's not that much to see and the road along significant stretches is poor quality, dirt, and dangerous.
6. Sunset watching is well worth it.
7. The northwest part of the island is definitely the place to stay, it's where most of the activity is and has some of the best beaches.
7. Buy tours thru Travelzoo if available.
8. Driving to the top of Haleakala can be dicey...can be very windy, drizzly, and cold, making the ability to see anything questionable. We did not stay very long at the top or do any hiking because of weather conditions. We drove up - glad we didn't take a tour.
9. High winds can make the snorkeling and even swimming in the surf dangerous. Temps were perfect, though water temp was pretty chilly.
10. It was a great time to go to avoid the crowds.
11. Maui is a beautiful island - so glad we went!!
Comments
Post a Comment