The next few posts are going to be pictures from a recent trip to Maui, starting with shots from The Grand Wailea: A Waldorf Astoria Resort. No, I never stay at one of the huge resort hotels on the island, but rather in a rented condo via VRBO or Home Away. This recent trip I actually rented via Maui Rentals, Inc. and stayed in a condo with the best view to have ever had at this particular condo property. My first visit to Maui was in 1989. I had previously been to the island of Oahu (where Honolulu is situated) in 1978. Here was the balcony view from this recent visit:
–View from condo balcony at Kihei Ali’i Kai looking towards the island of Kaho’olawe. This island was once used for bombing training by the U.S. military. It has now been given back to the native Hawaiians for their exclusive use. However, it is riddled with undetonated bombs.
–View from balcony looking towards the volcanic crater of Haleakalā. This volcano was possibly last active around 1790.
And now, on to The Grand Wailea. Did I mention that my brother has worked at this hotel for a very long time? He started working at the Grand Wailea after working at a Renaissance property and after he was a windsurfing instructor for 15 years. As much as I love many of the other properties on the island, The Grand is perhaps my favorite ;-).
–Hotel art. I love bird art.
–One of the obviously old and well-fed koi.
–View of the Humuhumunukunukuapua’a Bar at the hotel. It’s a great place for sunset and is named after Hawaii’s state fish.
–Chapel on the property for weddings.
–When we visited, it was one of the windiest days I have experienced on Maui. Usually it is windy for a few hours in the afternoon, but this wind did not let up for 2 days.
–Type of ginger plant (not edible).
–Lots of sculpture by Fernando Botero at The Grand Wailea.
–Wailea Beach. The view is toward the West Maui mountains from south Maui.
–Stained glass of one of the Kamehameha kings in the chapel.
–Pretty grounds.
