California and Hawaii – Day Eighteen: Breaking Spreadsheet Rules

A Lazy Day in Paradise

Well, well, well! Today, my dear readers, marked the day we tossed the spreadsheet aside and ventured off-piste. Not too far, mind you. With no grand plans to adhere to, we embraced the art of laziness. The morning sun greeted us a bit later than the alarm clock usually would, and we leisurely kicked off the day with a breakfast of champions—cereal and yogurt in the comfort of our room.

Embracing the Gardens

As the clock struck 10:00, the overcast sky couldn’t dampen our spirits. Armed with a book detailing the exploits of ‘Operation Market Garden‘—a battle my granddad valiantly fought in during the Second World War—I sought solace in the tranquility of the gardens. The morning silence allowed us to secure a prime spot under the shade of a majestic tree, anticipating the sun’s eventual appearance.

The garden, a haven of serenity, gradually transformed into a bustling hub as the morning unfolded. We savored the calm before the midday storm.

Bananas and Beach Strolls

Lunch was a simple affair—a delightful rendezvous with the banana bread we snagged yesterday. A post-lunch beach stroll beckoned, a mission to check if our monk seal friend had bid us adieu. Indeed, it had. However, whispers of ‘Portuguese Man of War’ jellyfish sightings near the shore added a thrilling twist to our otherwise laid-back day.

By 4:00 PM, we gracefully retreated to the shade, reflecting on the day’s blissful moments. A brisk return to the room for a quick freshening up and wardrobe change set the stage for our last evening on Maui.

Farewell Dinner at Maui Poke

Per Lewis’s sage advice, we made a pit stop at Maui Poke. Lewis insisted I try a poke bowl, and Michele, unsuspecting of the chilly nature of her Teriyaki chicken and rice, took it in stride. No tantrums—just a hearty meal.

I opted for one of the specials—the Maui Signature. Picture this: a delightful concoction featuring salmon, ahi tuna, avocado, cucumber, edamame, seaweed salad, green onion, Maui sweet onion, crunchy onion, tobiko, pineapple, sesame seed, Maui mango, and ginger—all artfully drizzled with Maui poke sauce. Simply divine.

Sunset Conversations and Time Changes

With satisfied stomachs, we positioned ourselves on the beach to witness our final Maui sunset. Engaging in delightful banter with a charming English couple from Chesterfield, we bid adieu to the day’s last rays before retreating to pack our bags.

Oh, the irony—a last-minute time change to our plans. The airport pickup, initially set for a somewhat reasonable 6:15 AM, was now an eye-watering 5:45 AM. Shared drop-offs to pinch pennies, they say, but hey, the flight to O’ahu isn’t until 9:00 AM. We’ll soldier on.

Before signing off, our hearts and thoughts extended across the ocean to the UK, offering sincere wishes for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Rest in peace, Ma’am.

God Save The King.