Maui, Hawaii

Carol S. just returned from a family reunion held in Hawaii and this is her review:

“With its gorgeous beaches, tropical flowers, beautiful waterfalls and plush golf course, it's no wonder Maui is called the Magic Isle, and anyone who visits, falls in love with it instantly. The weather in Maui averages 80 during the day, but a cool breeze off the ocean makes it very pleasant -just use sunscreen or sunblock to protect your skin from the strong sunrays.

Maui has 30 miles of beach where you can snorkel, scuba, water ski, surf board, paddle board, and parasail. You also can board a boat to watch the whales or board a submarine to see the colorful sea life. A tram ride around a plantation will show you how pineapples, sugar cane, palm trees, and coffee trees grow.
For the more adventurous take a ride in a helicopter to see the island or go zip lining; take a ride to Hana to see the gorgeous scenery, waterfall, flouring rainforest and beautiful seascapes. And of course, make sure to bring a camera!
Travel to the top of Haleakala volcano to watch the sunrise (be sure to bring a winter jacket or a blanket); watch the sunset during the torch lighting ceremony at black rock beach; hike or camp in Haleakala national park.

Kaanapali is favorite resort area on the west coast of Maui with its white sand beaches, blue green water and its variety of activities. Although there are numerous resort hotels, I recommend renting a condo if you plan to stay a week or more. The apartment comes with a bedroom, a sofa in the living room, and a completely equipped kitchen. Room service is provided daily. The condos have their own beach, pool, and restaurant. If you go sightseeing or spend time on the beach, it is easier to eat breakfast in the room and pack a picnic lunch. The condos also have an area for barbequing. The condos have free shuttle buses to take you into town, but if you rent a car you can travel at your leisure. To make a reservation go to http://kaanapalialii-px.rtrk.com/

In Lahaina at the Maui theatre (http://www.mauitheatre.com/) you can see Ulalena - a wonderful live show depicting the story of the Hawaiian people in song and dance.
There are also numerous restaurants and shops in Lahaina. You can eat inexpensive dinners at Cool Cats, Hardrock cafe or Cheeseburger paradise. Mama's fish house serves excellent food with a setting on the beach. The best shopping is in Lahaina, and Hilo Hatties and ABC stores in Whalers village Shopping Center have wonderful souvenirs. While walking through the town, make sure you see the banyan tree that encompasses the whole park.

Maui is a wonder place for honeymooners, singles, couple, and families. It's a place you will want to visit again and again!”

Crystal Cave in Kutztown, PA

My friend and coworker Mirlene, send me the following story: 

“On Saturday, my husband took the family to Crystal Cave in Kutztown, PA – the most popular natural attraction in Pennsylvania. There, we took the tour that I found to be very interesting.  The tour start in a theater where we learned about the history of the cave from the time it was discovered to now.  Then, a tour guide took us inside and was able to reiterate many of what we saw in the movie as visuals.  For instance, the crystals inside the cave, where the bats live, where people used to have their dance, the various natural shapes formed inside the cave by water dripping…..At one point, he turned most of the lights inside the cave so we can have a sense of what explorers experienced when there was no electricity inside.  
Besides the tour, there are other activities such as mini golfing and panning for gemstones.
Since it was the Mother’s Day weekend, my highlight of the trip was the gift shop where my sons picked my Mother’s Day presents.  Although, the cashier ruined the surprise for me by excitingly telling me that my boys did a great job at picking my presents, one could imagine the boys’ reaction…
I was not allowed to peruse the gift shop too much. I conclude that it must have some inexpensive, beautiful souvenirs.  I was given a set of crystal emerald earrings and a necklace made out of rocks.  Both pieces can be elegantly worn and do not look cheap at all.

Overall, I would recommend visiting this place, especially to families with kids. We got some good exercise from it as we were still tired the next morning.”

Crystal cave is open every day from March 1 trough November 30. For directions please go to http://www.crystalcavepa.com/MapDirections.html.

Old Westbury Gardens

It looks like the warm weather is finally here, and of course we want to spend more time outside.
I’d like to dedicate this post to what in my opinion is one of the most beautiful gardens in the world – Old Westbury Gardens (www.oldwestburygardens.org)

Old Westbury Gardens, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the former home of John S. Phipps family. Completed in 1906 by the English designer, George A. Crawley, this magnificent Charles II-style mansion is nestled amid 200 acres of formal gardens, landscaped grounds, woodlands, ponds and lakes. I like this place very much!
Westbury Gardens welcomes visitors of all ages for guided tours of Westbury House and Gardens, in-depth tours of the formal gardens, classic car shows, indoor and outdoor classical concerts, summer pop concerts, etc. You can check the complete schedule of events on http://www.oldwestburygardens.org/05_calendar.htm

Long Island Mozart Festival, which will take place in the Gardens on Memorial weekend, returns for the fifth season. All activities are included in admission. Lawn seating: bring chairs or a blanket. Take the children to the Mozart Festival and introduce them to the joys of music in an informal setting!

Old Westbury Gardens is located at 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury, New York, between the Long Island Expressway (I-495) and Jericho Turnpike (New York Route 25), approximately 20 miles east of New York City. It is open every day EXCEPT TUESDAYS, from April 30th to October 31st, from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm (the House will open at 11:00 am), with the last vehicle being allowed onto the property at 4:00 pm.

You can honor your Mom on Mother’s Day with a visit to the Gardens:
Not only Mom gets a free pass Sunday, May 13, but all women 18 and older will receive a complimentary lavender plant, while supplies last.

Also, I’d like to remind you about a places I already covered that definitely make for a great nice weather excursion:

Grounds for sculpture in NJ, Kykuit, etc - see my September-October’s posts on www.friendstravelclub.blogspot.com

Happy Mother’s Day to all Moms!

" it’s like Paris, only created by Mother Nature…”

Ten days ago we returned from a very exciting trip. This was our first Caravan tour (www.caravan.com) and our first time out West! The trip was excellent and Caravan helped us enjoy it to the fullest. We saw a lot for a seven-day vacation. It was well planned and not too fast paced.

We enjoyed a leisurely pace, delicious meals, and, most importantly, outstanding side trips. Not only was there the breathtaking scenery of Grand Canyon, but everyday promised more and better things to see: Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, Lake Powell, Monument Valley.

All three canyons are so different! We started from the grandiosity of Grand Canyon with its colors changing at sundown; then were completely stunned by looking at colorful pinnacles, called hoodoos, which are up to 200 feet (61 m) high in Bryce Canyon. Finally, we enjoyed the tranquility of Zion Canyon with its wild life, many trails, and a wooden cabins with a fireplace, one of which we were staying in overnight.

Where else can you see the vista we enjoyed during our boat cruise through Lake Powell’s Antelope Canyon, lined with rich red sandstone walls, or go on a guided jeep tour of the restricted backcountry of Monument Valley, a beautiful, pristine area of buttes and arches accessible only with authorized Navajo guides?

If you do not want to join an organized tour, you may do it on your own. Just do it at least once because as my husband said: “These places we visited, everyone should take the time to see; it’s like Paris, only created by Mother Nature… ”

To All Bank of America Customers

If you have any of Bank of America (check, ATM, or credit), or a Merrill Lynch card, this message is for you. They are offering free museum days to a number of museums the first weekend of every month. There are 150 museums in 31 states that are participating.

To see eligible weekend date and locate a Museum near you or view full list by state go to http://museums.bankofamerica.com/ and just click “Details”.

The program starts this weekend!