Posts Tagged ‘Hawaiian Vacation’

We were on an Aloha Condos vacation at the Napili bay resort, lounging on the private beach, soaking up the sun, and just admiring the deep blue ocean. It was a complete surprise to my husband and me to see a mysterious spray of water out among the waves. Someone behind us excitedly said, “there was a whale blow out there.” In awe, I turned back to watch the water. Then, a huge fin raised out of the water and a local on the beach exclaimed, “fin slap!” The smattering of people on the beach were now silent, reverently watching the sea amongst the waves. A huge tail rose completely out of the water and someone quietly said, “tail slap.” At this point, we were transfixed; my husband had the cameral poised. We watched for about an hour and saw more blows, fin and tail slaps, and spy hops (whale’s huge head comes up and spins to get a look at the area). Then, the most sought after sight in whale watching: the breach. It was amazing to see the whale propel its enormous body out of the water, twist, and then fall back down sending a white spray of water high into the sky. We were treated to many more breaches and my husband got a beautiful picture.

Full breach seen from the Napili Bay Resort beach

The majority of these glorious creatures come to birth in the warm shallow basin of water, that is virtually predator free, between the three other islands and Maui from mid-December through mid-May. We were thrilled to have this wonderful Maui experience.

-alice

Getting the chance to swim with sea turtles was a highlight in my life. My first opportunity came while staying with Aloha Condos at the Moana Kai Beach house on Kauai. I had my morning coffee on the lanai while watching the ocean only 30 meters away and thinking, “it can’t get any better than this.”  Then I gathered my snorkel gear and headed across the lawn to the beach. I parked my towel and chair in the warm sand, got my gear on, and plodded backwards into the ocean…a trick I discovered (after my husband mentioned it) that works much better than fighting the flippers to walk forwards. Now, this wasn’t listed as a popular snorkeling beach, although I would see a handful of locals out there almost daily. The first few times I snorkeled, I paid attention to every visible sea plant and fish; there were some great ones. On my later adventures, I realized I could swim with a snorkel better than without for my exercise. So, there I was swimming along in peaceful gratitude at my opportunity to exercise in such beauty, when I saw a big rock ahead…and then a gentle dusting of sand took me aback and the rock moved! In a moment of awe it dawned on me that it was a sea turtle! I gurgled surprise and then paddled in reverse to stay my position while . The magnificent turtle slowly swam up, looked back at me gently, and then surfaced for air. I thought, “oh yeah,  it isn’t fleeing because turtles are slow” (…until my second turtle sighting. That guy swam off like a torpedo). The turtle came back down, turned slowly, looked at me again, and then proceeded to swim mellowly along. I swam for over an hour with it (behind it and to the side of it), keeping a respectful distance. It never appeared frightened, intimidated, or aggressive, although at first I was a little hesitant. Shortly, I began to swim like my companion in that suspended moment of time…slow, graceful arm movements in the rocking of the ocean: gliding back,  then surging forward with the swell from the waves above. It was somewhat like life can be, taking steps forward, and a few backward, but still progressing ahead. I became so calm by being with this turtle. I saw him or her again a few days later…same experience. In times of stress, I often think of my turtle friend and that moment of  ” no worries” while we swam together. I feel very grateful and thank this glorious creature for its lesson that things “can always get better.”

Aloha,

I am running a special that saves you 31% from my regular rate of $100.00 a night.  

Be my guest in this tropical paradise.  You can enjoy the relaxing ocean beach, play in the waves, lounge in the lagoon, and experience the fabulous shopping and dinning in Waikiki; all are just steps away. My condo, unit 1721, sleeps up to 4 and has many amenities, air conditioning, a spacious lanai, fully equipped kitchen, a pool and lagoon, and laundry facilities on the same floor.

Take care and Mahalo,

Evelyn

  

Aloha Friend!

Please take a look at the spring savings for unit 2021 at the Ilikai Hotel.  Rent my condo now, through June 14, 09,  and you can stay in Hawaii for just $69.00, a night. A great savings from  my regular rate of $100 per night.  

 Come to beautiful Hawaii and relax on the beach that is just steps away from your condo.  Within walking distance, along a walkway with exciting city activity and beautiful Hawaiian foliage, or along the boardwalk on the beach (maybe barefoot in the sand and surf) you can be in famous Wakiki beach for enjoyable shopping and dining.  My condo sleeps 2 and has many amenities such, as access to a pool and lagoon, air conditioning, a fully equipped kitchen, new cabinets and leather sofa, along with laundry services on the same floor.  

Have a wonderful day and Mahalo,

Rhodora

 

I recently read an article in the NY Times that was talking about the economy and recession. Apparently, Whole Foods has a new ad campaign that uses the above logo “Sticker Shock…but in a good Way”. I thought this to be very interesting and applicable to my condos on Maui, as well. Normally, sticker shock means that something is incredibly expensive. Now, in this recession, it can mean the opposite.

I have lowered the prices of my gorgeous ocean front condos so significantly, that people are asking me, “What is wrong with them?” My answer is that nothing is wrong and that everything is right about them. As an owner of two condos in Maui, I speak to guests on a daily basis and listen to the stories of their lives. Many people out of work or retired, find themselves with their stock portfolios down 40% or more. There are others who are unfortunate victims of Bernie-Madoff-like-schemes. Suddenly, people find themselves in positions they never believed they would be in. You may ask, “What does this have to do with your condos in Hawaii?” My answer is that, because of the state of the economy and the troubling stories I hear every day, I have so significantly lowered the prices of our oceanfront condos, that they are often far less expensive than staying in a Howard Johnsons! I realize what is going on around us and have adjusted my prices so that people can still go on an affordable vacation or celebration. Because my condos have well stocked kitchens, many visitors are beginning to use them to bring down the cost of eating. In addition, there are great airfares from the West coast that make these trips possible. Many guests are also using their frequent flier miles to get to Maui. There are now direct flights into Maui, which also makes the trip less taxing. So, in reality, “Sticker Shock”, as it applies to my condos means that you are getting MORE FOR LESS! I think that may be part of the GOOD that has come out of this mess. So, if you can manage to cash in that big jar of coins you’ve been throwing nickels and quarters into every night, you may be surprised, as I was, that I had $421. This was like getting free money, as I didn’t really realize I had it! So, if you REALLY need a break or are STRESSED out to the max, you may want to think about visiting one of my oceanfront condos at a time when our prices have NEVER been lower. Get creative. Cash in your miles. If you are from the East coast, fly to the West coast and then take advantage of one of the many special airfares that are being offered. Use that loose change to do some grocery shopping and eat breakfast and lunch on our sunny lanai overlooking the shimmering turquoise blue South Pacific.If you don’t feel like cooking your own dinner, there are many places on Maui where you can get a great deal and don’t have to break the bank while doing it.The chain restaurant, Maui Tacos, offers delicious quality tacos that are incredibly inexpensive. Both of my condos have outdoor grills in the common areas where you can grill up a great piece of fish and meet some interesting people at the same time.  Another idea, that I have used in the past to save money, is to have drinks and appetizers on the lanai, while watching the fiery orange sun set into the water. Then, we can go out for dinner and share a main course, because most restaurants offer way too much food to begin with. If you are still hungry, split a desert or go out to Cold Stone Creamery and share an ice cream cone. In some ways, it becomes a challenge to see how LITTLE you can spend and still have a wonderful vacation. 

     So, I’ve given you all my hints to maximize your fun and minimize the cost. The silver lining in all this doom and gloom is that instead of looking at the glass as half empty, you may want to think of the glass as being half full. There has truly never been a better time to go to Hawaii. I like Target’s ad campaign that says, “Expect more, pay less”! It says it all. We really like getting those emails from returning guests who tell us how much they loved their accommodations and what a bargain our condo was, as it sits right on the edge of the beautiful South Pacific!

     So, what are you waiting for?. Call us at 203-783-9094 with any questions or book online, right NOW. It has never been a better time. As the Walmart ad says, “Save money. Live better”!

 Susan Kimmelman, owner of Nohonani 204 and The Whaler 661