@Real_EstateInfo Hilarious, but so very wise!
Maui’s Grand Wailea
Doing a double take
by Chris Caldwell
Maui-marvellous hospitality at the Grand Wailea Resort & Spa. Grand yes. Unaccommodating no. We were treated to Mai Tais on reception and escorted promptly to our gloriously appointed rooms. Luxury was embedded in the art of the hotel, the design of our food and in the climate of the air. Although hot during the day it was never uncomfortable. Those Tommy Bahama clothes you bought that never get worn in Canada… yes, they work wonders on a sultry evening at the resort.
Whale Soup – but not for eating
This is whale season.- so really it should be called the “Grand Whalea Resort”. Starting in mid-November to April – and in January and February the locals call the ocean “whale soup”. Humpback whales gather here to mate, just off the shores of south Maui. I caught sight of a few breaches around 2pm one Thursday. The world stood still as hundreds pointed and gasped when it was apparent there was a show being put on for us close to the shore. If you are an avid naturalist like me you will want to be here for the whale watching season.
One extreme highlight was snorkeling out about 100 meters and holding my breath for stillness and silence to hear the whale songs under the water. Think ‘Chewbacca meets a herd of happy cows’ – a mix of clicks and whirs with gentle moans that soothe: a private concert for me. I almost forgot to breathe again as I closed my eyes to focus my full attention on hearing underwater.
Many excursions are available for the timid and intrepid. Cast yourself to the wind with a zipline tour crossing valleys and waterfalls or hike into the rainforest to observe rare species, and taste coffee and papaya from the stem. Helicopter tours or a submarine tour are out-and-about, above and below, options. A week isn’t enough time to try them all.
Food for foodies
Let’s talk food at the Grand Wailea. As a foodie, I critique the smallest crusting of herb and combination of tastes. I talk food, eat food, and imbibe in conversation and wine with whomever is in earshot at the table until tipsy. Food and socializing are inseparable for enjoying a meal, and the Grand Wailea does just that in style and comfort. Take the grass-fed beef from Oregon, lightly dressed with butter no doubt and broiled to a medium perfection, allowing the knife under its own weight to reveal the tenderest morsel.
Do yourself a favour and go to Maui. Now.
Do yourself an even bigger favour and let the Grand Wailea pamper you while you’re there.
Chris Caldwell is Tempo Toronto’s Innovator: and he hasn’t yet ceased gloating about either his tan or his impromptu luxury trip to Maui. No sympathies from the Tempo Team!
by Editor
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(2 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)
Loading ...Maui Moments: quest for sanity
Awaiting the Grand Luau
by Chris Caldwell
Up at 4am Toronto time. It’s dark outside and I feel awkward but proud that I have accomplished something that many have slighted me for…I’m up early! At least locally anyway – maybe God’s way of telling me I’m meant for living here? Nah – just jet lag.
Once the sun was up you could see Wailea, Maui is beautiful – something pristine and valuable. The people are very conscious about keeping it that way. No Tim Horten’s cups and cigarette butts blowing around on these streets – there is a pride of home and I suppose living on an island induces that ethic. Too bad more people do not realize we all live on an island in space. Real estate prices are in the millions, but when in near perfect climate you can be pharaoh here.
After shedding my first skin, I venture to one of the eateries, the one with the almost unpronounceable name – Humuhumunukunukupua’a – yes for real. Who cares about names when 100% Kona coffee is pouring down your throat.
A fierce storm blew in tonight while eating dinner. The rain actually assaulted the patronage with a sideways blow. Didn’t stifle the meal but quite something to see how rapidly the weather came and went. Good thing I wasn’t out for a three hour tour.
Then day 3 arrives
Read’em and weep people of Toronto. It’s a sunny day in Maui after a deluge the night before. Now it’s 27 degrees and slight breeze but ‘they’ say there is more trouble tomorrow night for Wailea, South Maui.
Wailea offers world class golf and has a world class spa here at the Grand Wailea resort.
The word ‘wai’ (water) was combined with the name ‘Lea’, a fertile sea of fish and also the goddess of the canoe. Finding the perfect koa log to carve into a voyaging canoe was important to the survival of the population and culture.
With a revival in heritage teaching, students and elders are rebuilding these vessels as they had hundreds of years ago. Recently, a group has shown that travel throughout the Pacific is possible by reading waves, wind and stars by undertaking a trek – as would have been done when the people of Hawaii settled this area of the Pacific.
How to make a poor man’s martini. When the mini-bar isn’t working for you, get thee to a mall and locate premium ingredients. One part hotel room glasses, one part walking down the hall with the ice bucket. You get the picture. Cram ice into one glass and pour vodka until full. Stare at it for 20-30 seconds because you just realized there is no way to shake it. Then applaud yourself for thinking of using the hotel room coffee pot. Pour a load of ice and vodka into the coffee pot and shake. Re-glass. Enjoy.
by Editor
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(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...[Tags: Grand Wailea Resort, Hawaii, Hawaiin resort, luxury travel, Travel, travel blog, travelogue, Wailea]
