Sunday, February 21, 2010
Goodbye Maui
Ma Halo
Maui Day 9
Updated photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/tony.viviano/StarredPhotos02?feat=directlink
Our last full day on Maui was today. All of us slept in until about 7:30 and then headed to the beach. We played at the beach for a while and then Tony had to take the rental car back to the Marriott. Once he returned we spent a a little time poolside before heading up to the room to change into some dry clothes. We then caught a taxi from our hotel to the Kihei celebration of the whales. The Pacific Whale Foundation sponsored the event at Koloma Park on the beach (near the skatepark) and they had a stage set up with live bands, food vendors and people selling their homemade products. We stopped by the Pacific Whale Foundation booth and got some information about the whales and bought a few things to support the cause. Afterwards we wandered around looking at all the interesting arts and crafts. They had a maze set up that had whale curtain made of 32,000 oragami whales.
After a couple hours we headed across the street for a light bite and a couple of bikini bottom brews. There was a live singer and hula dancer that eventually got Gina and Shelly up on stage to hula. We all had a few laughs before heading back to the hotel. Once we go back we headed to the coy ponds to see if we could spot some toads. The kids saw several of these large and loud toads. The were first a little scared but eventually they were petting them and almost picking them up. We had some laughs watching the toads trying to avoid the kids.
We went back to the room, packed a little and watch speed skating and bobsledding before calling it a night. It was a fun last day! Tomorrow we get a 1/2 day at the beach and then its off to the airport. Until then...Aloha (goodbye)
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Maui Day 8
Updated photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/tony.viviano/StarredPhotos?feat=directlink
Another Day in Paradise! If it seems like all we do is hang out in the sun and occassionally eat thats actually somewhat accurate. Today we woke up had breakfast in the room and got out to the pool early today. The kids played in the water while Shelly took pictures. I went for a short run and then went to the gym. The gang spent the rest of the morning by the pool and then went to Ko (which means sugar cane) for lunch. After lunch we went back to the pool and then to the beach. We met up with our friends who helped us dig a giant hole and build sandcastles. Later Gina and I hit the waves for some boogie boarding while Shelly snapped pictures. After a long day in the sun we went to the room and got dressed for dinner. We stopped at a park in Kihei to watch the sunset and take some pictures. Once the sun went down we went to dinner at Cafe O'Lei where we had Ono and Mahi our entries. After dinner we were all pretty tired and drove back to the hotel. Back at the room we tried to watch the couples skating but it was just to hard. Tomorrow is our last day, stay tuned for our final updates. Aloha!
Maui Day 7
The kids met some friends and played soccer with them by the beach. We worked up a sweat and decided to hit the pool and water slide.
Later, Tony and Gina went boggie boarding and they were able to catch some tasty waves. Once they got back Johnny wanted to play paddle ball and try to break the resort record of 66 hits. They reached 78 to the amazement of the sunbathers who watched.
We didn't have lunch nut we had some coconut shrimp by the pool which were worth the $21 they charged us. At 5 the McVaidy's mentioned that they were going to Wok Star and we decided to join them. This time we picked up some beers to go with our meal since its "bring your own". Wok star was as good just like last time.
After dinner we went to the Henna Tattoo shop and Gina got a turtle tattoo and John a sun tattoo. We then we grabbed some ice cream and headed for home. Once we got home we took the kids for a walk to look at the stars. The stars are incredible here. The kids were amazed and laid in our laps and looked straight up while we listen to the waves crash. The moon was out and lit things up enough that we could see where we were going and reflected on the ocean too.
We headed to our room and then tried to watch the men's skating finals but we passed out after the first couple skaters.
Until tomorrow...Aloha
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Maui Day 6
After surfing we went into Kihei and had lunch at Pita Paradise which was awesome. After lunch John went to the skate park and made friends with a older guy who showed him a few skate moves. After skating we went to the grocery store to pick up a few things and then headed back to the hotel.
Back at the hotel we did the usual pool, beach and socializing with the few SAPers that were still around. Most of them left today and we expect only a few families to be here tomorrow. We met up with one of Tony's teamates and invited them out to dinner with us. We went to Freds Mexican restaurant for Margaritas and Fish Tacos. We knew it was good because we went there last time we were in Maui. We watched the sunset as we waited for our table and then enjoyed a good meal with friends.
We didn't do much after dinner, we just grabbed a icecream sandwhich at the gas station and went home and went to bed. We think the kids were wiped out after all the surfing and pool action. We got to see Shawn Whites halfpipe run and then we passed out.
Until tomorrow....Aloha
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Maui Day 5 Surfing and Lahina

It was about 2 PM at this point and we needed to get some lunch. We headed into Lahina to get lunch. We had lunch at Kimo's. This was Buzzy's suggestion. I had fish tacos, Tony had a fish sandwich, Gina had a cheese burger, and John had ribs. The food was good. We shopped around Lahina for the rest of the afternoon. We found pleanty of surf shops. We walked by a gelato shop the kids really wanted gelato...yum passion fruit and big island crunch.
Time to head back to the Fairmont. One last SAP gig. The kids had dinner on their own and we attended the Aloha party.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Maui Day 4
Once we got back to the Fairmount we grabbed our beach gear and headed down to the pool and beach. The weather was clear and breezy and perfect for hanging by the pool. All of us played paddle ball, caught rays and swam in the pool. Later Gina went to the beach with her boogie board and some friends. Around 4:30 we decided to go in and get cleaned up for the evening. Us adults were invited to a VIP dinner for the top performers with the head of SAP consulting at the Four Seasons. The setting and dinner where both excellent and we enjoyed connecting with old friends and meeting some new folks. The kids had dinner on their own at Ko which is a restaurant at our hotel and then hung out on property and in the room. We stayed in touch with them via text until we got home. On the way back from the Four Seasons we had to stop a couple times to look at the stars. The sky is so clear that you can see stars that I don't think we have ever seen before.
