Day 3 Nov 23 Helicopter Ride Lahaina Beaches and Anniversary Celebrations with friends

It was yet another perfect day, warm and sunshiny. It was time for the Hana Haleakala aerial view experience, an air-chopper ride. We checked in early at the Alex heliport. We were giving the seating arrangement, instructions on the ride, and life jackets for just in case situations. Esha was the most excited one. She strolled around and entertained us with her many fascinating and charming ways while we waited for our ride. It was a little challenge for Sneha to get the life jacket on Esha. Esha’s life jacket was so close covered with all those straps that any one would be frustrated wearing it. We were instructed to follow the guide to the helipad and were ready to board. The pilot greeted us with a warm Aloha. More instructions followed on mid-air communication via the head sets which we each were supposed to wear. It also helps in reducing the flight noise.

Payal and I were seated in front while the rest sat behind. The pilot gave a running commentary as we passed through the various landmarks. We watched in awe down at the beautiful scenic view. The oceans and the forests with streams racing through the dense rain forests and the many-many waterfalls were all fascinating. Wow! Maui indeed is so rich in natural resources. We passed the Haleakala Crater and windy Hana highway, the beaches, a miniature view of the below. The ride was over in no time and we soon arrived back at the heliport.

Afterwards we drove to Kaanapali for lunch. We found a nice Chinese restaurant China Boat that served yummy food. We headed to the Ali Aha beach at Lahaina. Sneha, Sunil, Chandan and Esha changed to beach gears. Shashi, Chandan, Payal and I sat back on the sandy shore while Sneha and Sunil attempted to make Esha experience the waves. The cold water made Esha very uncomfortable. Sneha and Sunil tested her endurance and decided not to force her too much all at once. I wished my parents had done the same to me when I was little. We all decided to drive to another beach - picnic location that Chandan had spotted on our way to Kaanapali. It was a tiny picnic beach “Papaua Park III” with some shallow waters. Chandan and Payal ventured into the water as we all stayed back and watched.

It was Shashi and my seventh wedding anniversary and I had bought a wedding band for both of us as a gift. Sneha suggested that the beach was the best spot to give the gift. It seemed romantic enough so I called Shashi knelt on one knee and held his arm and placed the ring on his finger. It completely took him by surprise. The sad part was the ring was too big for his finger, but isn’t it the gesture that counts? He placed my ring on my finger and we submitted to the moment. The evening was lively the sandy beach was a perfect photo spot. We all took turns to pose in front of the camera.

Sneha, Sunil and Esha were scheduled to the “Old Lahaina Luau” late that evening. So we got ready to head back to Lahaina once more. Shashi located the Banyan Tree Park in the map — a popular point of interest in Lahaina, Maui. We all drove there to see an old handsomely huge banyan tree that stood tall and wide with its several branches and tertiary roots collectively occupying almost over an acre of land mass. It was magnificent. Sneha, Sunil and Esha headed to the Luau, the rest of us stuck around to explore the area.

We discovered that the Banyan tree was located in central market place of Lahaina by the beachside. We strolled through the colorful, busy Front Street, which was lined with many shops and stalls on either side. We window shopped and discovered a nice bar by the beachside and stopped for drinks. Chandan and Payal got us drinks as a treat for our wedding anniversary. We had some nice yummy tropical cocktails sat and enjoyed the lovely evening breeze and the dusk sky with the moon starting to appear.
After sunset we walked back on the street and stopped for kebab at a small kebab stall. Overly flavored with teriyaki sauce the kebabs were an utter disappointment, all of them were bad. Only best choice was Payal’s pick — hummus and pita bread. Payal and I did some roadside jewelry shopping and later headed back to the car. On the way I spotted a Caricaturist and insisted Shashi of getting our caricatures done. Sarit the artist caricatured away as Shashi & I patiently posed one after another. He did a pretty decent enough job to impress us. The caricature portrayed me as a pretty hula girl and Shashi the ocean-surfer. We got to our cars went to the Lahaina center were we met Sneha, Sunil & Esha who seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed their Luau experience. We got some grocery and Thai food for dinner and headed back home. It was a very fulfilling experience.