We're Booked!

Aloha!

Okay folks! Sorry it took us soooo long to make a decision on where we are staying and for how long.  We found a flight/hotel/car package through Expedia.com that saved us big money.  We also decided on a condo for the week rather than a resort so we could cook some meals.   So we will land in Maui on 8/1/11 and stay until 8/8/11.   This is Monday to Monday. (The wedding is on a Thursday.)

Here is a list of resorts / condos our planner recommended:
Resorts:                                              Condos:
Makena Resort                                   Maui Kamaole
Hotel Wilea                                        Kamaole Sands condos
Wilea Marriott                                    Kihei Surfside
Maui Coast Hotel   (across the street from ocean)

We didn't go with any of these!   Although, they all look great!   We decided on a condo on the ocean side and all the above condos were across the street.

We chose Hale Pau Hana because every unit is on the water, and has a lanai.  Condos don't charge a parking fee or resort fee everyday either.  The condos are all decorated differently and some are more updated than others.   They have one and two bedroom options.  Here is a link to their website:

http://www.hphresort.com/mauicondos.php?title=amenities

Mahalo!

Save the Date

So it is officially set!   We are getting Maui'd on Thursday, August 4, 2011.   The ceremony and reception will both be held at an estate in Makena, Maui.   It is located in south Maui.  

The beaches of Kihei, Wailea, and Makena are all located in South Maui.  It sounds like West Maui is an hours drive (if you decide on looking into hotels there.)   Here is a link to a south Maui map that may be helpful for people.    Aloha!

http://www.mauiinfosource.com/Maui%20Maps/Maui%20Accommodation%20Maps/South%20Maui/south_maui_accommodation_map_main.htm

Getting Leeched

We got engaged in Australia on December 19, 2010.  We had just taken a flight from Sydney to Cairns, Australia.  We rented a car and drove 90 miles to a private rainforest.  Rich did the driving on this super windy road, twisting up mountains, and driving on the other side of the road.  He managed roundabouts and figured out how to drive on the other side of the car.  We were staying in tree houses located in 100 acres of the rainforest.  I immediately wanted to start hiking and seeing animals.  So we donned our gum boots (see picture) and away we hiked.



A note on gum boots:

So a gum boot is for leech protection.  There are land leeches that attach to the leaves of the rainforest. They are not the Stand By Me North American leeches we have.  They are smaller and more vicious. We also sprayed our boots with something that was supposed to protect us from leeches as well.  I am here to confirm that if you can choose a leech sock...go for it!   In Thailand I hiked for HOURS and the leeches could not get through the sock.

We began hiking in the middle of the afternoon so it was super hot and muggy.   The animals were in the shade and out of sight.  We saw a few scrub turkeys and toads but that was it.  About 20 minutes into the hike Rich looked down at his boot and noticed a leech inside, and then found a second leech.  I freaked out and looked at my boots and in my boots and felt relieved, until I noticed my shorts were bleeding.  Checked under my shorts and saw a little bugger wiggling into my leg.  Thankfully I could pull him out, but I had a leech scar where the hole was for about 3 weeks.



After the leeching we tried to find our way back to the treehouse as quickly as possible.  We twisted and turned and realized later that we had hiked every single trail of the 100 acres.   We did manage to find our way home and decided to relax and chill and enjoy the rainforest from the comforts of indoors.

We had a two person jet jacuzzi with big picture windows looking out.  We took advantage and enjoyed some bubbles in the bath tub and some bubbly champagne.   We chatted and enjoyed each others company and had a great talk on our past, present, and future.  Finally, Rich turned and asked if there was anything that would make our relationship any better?  I mentioned more champagne.  Then he pulled out the box and asked those 4 words, "Will you Marry Me?"

I said yes, and here we are off onto our next big adventure together.




Where we were engaged-Canopy Treehouses

www.canopytreehouses.com.au/