Introduction

Hi, I’m Sandy, wife and mother of 2, Sue 18 and Danny 14. My life is so busy I just had to get away, so we took the kids and flew to Maui for an extended weekend get-away. We found great prices on Hawaiian Airlines and flew out the next day.

Maui is just so beautiful, you could sit on the beach or by the pool and be happy in paradise, but we really wanted to experience this magical place on a deeper level. A good friend in LA recommended Blue Soul, a vacation guide slash concierge service that specializes in unique experiences. So we called Charlie and chatted about what we could do, we decided to let him have the reigns and hired him as our guide. He said he would pick us up the next day for a day on the water and then play it by ear.

Day 1 on Maui: Snorkeling at Makena Landing

We woke up early with the sun rising over beautiful Haleakala. We headed down to the lobby then out to the beach, where Charlie and Jacob were waiting with their canoe, two strong young men that were super friendly and helpful. They showed us how to use the snorkel gear and matched us up with a paddle and seat in the canoe. Danny was put in the stroker seat, which is the guy who leads the pace, he did great. I sat in seat 4 , and we paddled out from Wailea beach to a place that Charlie said was called “turtle town”, where there would be lots of green sea turtles. The canoe was called Holomua, a beautiful boat, it glided so smoothly over the water with such grace, with each stroke we took the canoe reacts, I get what they were saying about how it has a life of its own.

As I turned around to see how far off shore we were my breath was taken away as I saw the view of Maui from the water. It was so quiet and surreal, I couldn’t help but think of my mom (who has passed on), I could feel her close to me at that moment, she just loved the ocean.

We got to Makena Landing and got fitted with the snorkel gear, we listened to the guides instructions and precautions, I was worried that I would not be able to get back in the boat (at my age) but Jacob reassured me that he would help me back in, after he flexed his pecks, I figured he was right. The water was ideal, it felt so good to cool off after paddling, I put my head in the water, and WOW! I couldn’t believe it, tropical fish and green sea turtles everywhere, I fell in love.

Day 2 on Maui: Surf Surf and more Surf

So I was a little groggy from last nights celebration, but I was jazzed to take the Danny and Sue on a private surf lesson with blue soul and company, uncle John decided he would kick back and watch the scene from shore, but maybe he would change his mind later. The day was spectacular, just blue, blue sky’s, the water was glassy with a small south swell coming in. Charlie met us down at a beach in Wailea (or Kihei area) and we got prepped for our first time surfing. He gave us all rash guards and booties and really nice surf boards that were fitted with a soft spongy fabric,  they where actually really comfortable to lay on. So we did some “land training” where we turned the boards upside down on the beach and practiced the paddling and pop-up sequence. Surprisingly easy, but would it be when on water? Hmm.

We got our leashes strapped on, and walked down to the water, the guide help us adjust to laying on the board and paddling, it took a second but I got it, then we made our way out to the surf. Charlie (the guide) said it was a perfect day to learn and the waves were not to big, so don’t stress, but I did get excited every time we would duck dive under a coming set. Finally we where out in the line up and I had another blue soul moment, looking back on the shore I could see Uncle John sipping on a coconut juice waving at us, I could look into the water and see coral and the fish that would swim by occasionally, it was just surreal. I was brought back to reality when I heard charlie saying “Ok, now pop up”, it was Danny getting on the first wave. He looked like a pro surfer, I couldn’t believe it. He rode it all the way to where another guide helped him to turn the board around and paddle back out. Next it was Sue’s turn, she got up on her first try and made it look easy. Charlie turned to me and said “get ready, this wave has you name on it”. I was nervous, could I do it? I started paddling, Charlie set up the board to be in the right alignment, he said “faster, paddle faster” so I did, I could feel the back of the board lift a little, I looked over my shoulder, the wave seem a lot bigger now, the board started flying forward, “Now, pop up!” said Charlie, I pushed my hands against the board and straightened my arms, I looked forward, and I could see how I was controlling the board by shifting my weight, it slowed down a bit and I got in a better spot on the wave, then it felt as thou instinct took over, I pulled my front leg forward and set it between my hands, my back leg was now stabilizing the back of the board, the only thing left to do was let go and stand up, I eased my hands off the board, was I going to fall? I didn’t look down, I just kept my eyes forward, I noticed a shift, the board was now going more smoothly, it reminded me of the canoe gliding, I adjusted my feet so that the board would lean left, and it did, wow, what a trip, I heard hoops and hollers and then it hit me, I’m surfing!

Day 3 on Maui: The Enchanting Rain forest

I don’t know if its possible to top the last two days, they have both been so fun, I feel like a kid again and I can’t wait for what’s coming next. Charlie met us at the lobby and we drove up to the North Shore towards Hana. He answered a lot of our questions and explained some of Maui’s rich history. We drove down Hana Hwy and the landscape continued to change every ten minutes or so, lush mountains and big sea’s to thick rainforest, Danny said it reminded him of Jurassic Park. We pulled up to a place where there was no parking lot, no cars, no nothing, just what looked like miles of bamboo. We came ready for a hike, so we had everything we needed, or I should say Charlie had everything taken care of already, so we were ready to go.

We climbed through an opening in the bamboo forest just big enough to get through one at a time, the temperature changed immediately, we were inside the forest, just enough light coming through the tree tops, it was awesome. We hiked for about 20 or 30 minutes and we began to hear something, it got louder and louder, it was water. The path opened up and I could see what looked like a small stream, we walked toward it and then looked up, there was a beautiful waterfall coming down just over the ridge, amazing. Charlie had some ropes, and we climbed up a slippery slope, it was a bit tricky but sometimes you gotta get your hands dirty, I just had to get closer to that waterfall. The hike continued alongside this creek or river, we had to hold on to the bamboo as we traversed, it seemed like a long time had passed, since we crossed the creek, where was this waterfall? Then the bamboo cleared and we stood there beholding this enormous waterfall, OMG! Another moment where I lost my mind and found my soul. After gazing and perusing the site for a bit, Charlie and Megan setup a picnic. We had some delicious snacks and drinks over a delightful conversation and more special moments. I was enchanted.

Day 4 on Maui: Stand Up Paddling from Kihei to Wailea

I have to say, these few days have given me a confidence boost, I feel like I could do anything, or at least try. I wanted to continue experiencing. Dad encouraged me to try something new, I am the adventurous type after all, so I chatted again with Charlie. He told me about Stand Up Paddling, and how it is a great form of exercise and cruising around. He said that him and his friends take stand up boards when the wind is up and go from one side of the island to another, catching wind swells the whole way, like a never ending wave. I decided to give it a try, this time it was just me, the kids went with uncle John to the pool for day and Dad went for round of golf.

I guess the only way I can describe stand up paddling is like walking on water. It is calming yet thrilling at the same time. We drove up the coast to Kihei and setup our boards, drank some water and then got some tips. You can use the paddle as a stabilizer, so that was cool. I gave it my first go, the board was huge, so balancing on my knees was easy, which I did for a few strokes to get the board going, then got up to my feet, then splash, in the water, this happened a few times, then I got the hang of it, don’t look down (just like in surfing) keep your momentum forward. If you feel like you’re gonna fall, stabilize with your paddle. So we headed downwind, well there was not that much wind, but just enough where we got a nice push, it took us about an hour to get to the hotel. All along the way we saw turtles, they were so cute,  we would try to paddle  quietly so we wouldn’t disturb them, beautiful creatures, Charlie says the turtles represent spirits in Hawaiian culture, I see why. The best part was seeing the kids faces when I arrived on the beach, everyone was down in the water when we paddled in, so it was perfect timing, I felt like I had really experience something special. Charlie said the best thing after a long paddle is a cold beer, so I took him up on one, it was another great day.

Day 5 on Maui: Canoe Tour, Paddling, Surfing and Whale Watching

It’s our last day, we wanted to do something special all together, the conditions were perfect for paddling, so blue soul came down and took us out for a whale watching tour and maybe some canoe surfing. We took everyone out this time, the whole gang, we had 10 of us all together as our friends Jason and Teri where at the Four Seasons, so they brought 2 canoes this time. This was my second time paddling and I had all that experience on the SUP, I was feeling like a pro and really enjoying this sport now (how can I do this back home?). We got a little competitive so Jacob suggested we have a little show down, what a blast, these boats can go fast! We heard a big splash sound, then looked over about half a mile, it was a giant humpback whale breaching. We stopped paddling, the guides said to be quite so we could see where the whales are, as they are protected and we are not allowed to approach them. We looked just ahead and noticed that it was a pod of whales, then they disappeared. Not sure which way they went, we didn’t head out, then we looked below, it was a mother and calf and they where right below us. Words escape me. They are so large, yet gentle, so powerful and majestic, it was humbling. They came up a few times and flapped they fins, almost like saying good bye.

We paddled back towards the shore, Jacob and Charlie asked us if we wanted to catch a few waves “How?” I asked, “On our canoes!”. Ok, what’s this going to be like, I wondered. We setup the canoes and listened to a bit of instruction from the guides, then we were off  “Go go go!” and “Paddle Paddle” so I did, we all did, and the boat just took off, next thing I knew, we were surfing a huge wave. Jacob steered us so that we could get right in the pocket and get more glide as we slid down the face of the wave. What a rush!!! “Lets do it again” said the kids, which we did, again and again.

That night Charlie, Joe and Megan (guides from blue soul) setup a barbeque for us by the beach. We celebrated the sunset and talked about all of our experiences. It was an island style party, they invited some local Hawaiian guys who jammed on the ukuleles and told story’s of paddling across channels and to other islands. They gave us a DVD with an iMovie that had photos and video clips edited together with a sound track of our whole vacation. What a great way to end an amazing event in our lives, we will forever be grateful to Maui for this amazing experience.

Thank you Charlie and the whole crew at blue soul, you guys love what you do and everyone can tell! We are definitely blue souls for life!

Much love,

The Rosenthal Ohana