Strolling to the Ritz, Maui style

We just strolled to the Ritz. The Kapalua Ritz-Carlton on Maui. As you might expect, it’s, well, ritzy. Laurel heads up the Ritz-Carlton way on her usual morning walk. She had to miss today, so I went with her on an afternoon substitute outing.

We began at our Napili Bay condo. This is where I do my own exercising. Thirty minutes back and forth across the bay every day. Laurel’s a walker. When on Maui, I figure ocean swimming is the thing.

Laurel usually drives the short distance to Oneloa Bay. We did this afternoon also. Molokai is in the background.

It’s a surfer beach. Most of them were gone by the time we arrived. Got to follow a lithe bikini-clad female surfer up the path to the parking lot though. Good timing. Sorry, don’t have a photo.

Next stop, a hole on one of the Kapalua golf courses. Beautiful. Too bad I play such ugly golf. I’ve heard that the wind is so strong on the courses, sometimes the ball blows right back at you. Could be. Or maybe I was being kidded. Regardless, this is one windy side of the island.

Doesn’t stop people from staying at the Ritz-Carlton though. Maybe it’s the view that entices them.

We headed down the hotel’s pathway to the ocean. Per usual, Laurel was way ahead of me. Her “shopper’s walk” is much faster than mine. She’s put in a lot of training.

Maui guidebooks say that Fleming Beach Park is where you take your BBQ grill when you want it sandblasted. From previous visits I can believe it. Wasn’t horribly windy today, however. It’s a pretty nondescript beach. Decent boogie boarding but not that inviting.

The Ritz-Carlton main entrance is.

The grounds are full of flowers. Like this red don’t-know-the-name.

From the Ritz we headed up the hill to the Honolua Store. It’s got that old time Hawaii feel to it.

On the outside, at least. Inside, Laurel avidly browsed through a pile of t-shirts that, for the life of me, looked almost exactly like the one she had on. Female shopping has its own logic to it, I’ve learned.

These, Laurel tells me, are Norfolk pines. If they’re not, blame her. They’re the Napili trademark. I believe they were planted by sailors in the 1800s who needed straight wood for masts and such. Kind of incongruous for Hawaii, but reminded me of Oregon.

And that was our stroll. Got back to the car too late to finish up with a sunset photo. You can interpolate one from my previous post.

Lastly, if you’re the praying sort, pray for bigger waves on Napili Bay. My boogie board is gathering dust. Or rather, sand.

Comments

[Robert Paul Howard]

Dear Brian,
Poor you. Robert Paul Howard

[Brian]

Robert, thanks for your sympathy. Much appreciated. Our situation is even worse than you know, however. This morning both of my swim trunks are dry. Soon I'm going to have to decide which to wear. My head is already starting to hurt.

Then, tonight we're going to have choose a restaurant to eat dinner at. More decisions! I've got to be strong...somehow I will endure.

[Susie Palumbo]

Brian- Thanks so much for sharing your trip in Photos and thoughts. I am SOOO jealous.
You take just fabulous photos! These, and from another story you did around where you live. Could I ask- what kind of camera do
you have? I'm in the market for a new one, and have been looking
at digital zooms (but not SLR..just way too expensive for me).
And I'd like to say in general, that I so enjoy reading your blogs. My husband and I hail from Kingman, AZ. Hot and dry, but were
up in the mountains... in a nice adobe style homey home.
Thanks, Susie

[Brian]

Susie, my camera is an Olympus Stylus 500. I like it. I've also owned the Stylus 300. I switched to the 500 for the additional megapixels and, especially, the improved LCD screen.

It doesn't wash out in bright light and is quite a bit larger. Another nice feature of this camera is that you can easily understand the preset picture taking modes. There are several dozen of them.

I frequently use "outdoors" which improves blues and greens. And "sport" which freezes things like moving water. "Sunset" came in handy on Maui. Otherwise, I just leave the settings as they are. It's all I can do to choose between the preset modes.