Homeward bound

 I usually blog first thing in the morning, but as today had an early start for the long trip home, I'm posting for two days from home.  Friday saw some bleary eyes because all found a way to get overserved last evening.  Apparently, I missed out on some heart to heart conversation after bidding the irish good night.  Finished off the bacon and eggs and headed out to the Big Beach for one last day of sunbathing.  The beach was beautiful as ever, and we managed to grab a very late lunch at the roadside taco stand to check off one last box on the Maui agenda.  Back at the condo we commenced with the packing for next day flight home.  Also ensured everyone had all of the new apps and forms set up for reentry to Canada.  We ordered from Fabiani's again but were disappointed this time - we must have been much hungrier the last time we got pizza there.  Not much enthusiasm and disappointed to have to head home, it was ETB.  Next morning, all were astir early and we managed to finish packing and hit the road, but not before grabbing an egg mcmuffin at McD's - so first and last stop on Maui was the golden arches.  Renta car return and check in were seamless, but glad I caught the agent in time to attach the baggage tag to our last bag.  Flight home was smooth sailing and right on time.  The new protocol for entry was tedious, confusing, lengthy and sweaty - one queue after another juggling passports, phone apps and paper.  The last queue was the longest waiting to get our YYC Pilot Project COVID-19 swab.  But once we finally got to the nurse, she was great and explained how the program would work and that in fact if our test is negative, quarantine ends - but there is a second test 6 days later.  In spite of all of this, I am grateful that we were able to pull the whole thing off including the flared tempers that cropped up occasionally working through the new and changing protocols, not to mention the luhi, pōloli and make wai.  We were all able to load into an Uber XL for the final leg.  Unfortunately, our welcome home saw the driver get stuck in the frozen snow bank in front of the house.  So our first action was digging him out in the dark and cold.  Hmmmm.  As usual, I'll invoke the famous line of my Father - Great trip, glad to be home.

Results Negative!

 I started the day by attempting to set up a patient account with Clincal Labs Hawaii for the purpose of accessing our COVID-19 test results.  Unfailingly, this effort failed I think because there was an entry for US SSN, which I didn't have.  The last message was "unable to verify you identity".  With that, it was off to Maui Nui for our fifth and final round of golf.  While this course is nothing special, it worked out very well for our foursome with an average cost of ~$65 per round.  That done, we decided it was best to return to Menehune Shores to see if we could sort out the lab results.  On the way, we stopped in at Tamura's Liquor store to see if they had anything we couldn't get along without.  Turns out they did, and I picked up a bottle of the Yamazaki, which I had been coveting since Kyoto.  Back to chasing COVID, and in typical fashion, nothing was straight forward and after many phone calls and emails it was clear to me that I needed to email passports and signatures to help@hawaiilabs.com.  But wait, Matthew found another phone number to try and low and behold, he spoke to a different person who was able to provide all of our "accession" numbers which circumvented the need to "verify" identities.  Nevertheless, even with the necessary access codes, the results were all still pending.  Karen prepared a lunch for the Lanai which staved of the luhi, pōloli and make wai situation.  Off to the pool to catch some rays.  Later in the afternoon we received our test results which were all negative, overcoming the final hurdle to get us on the plane home.  We went out for a refreshing dip in the fish pond and checked out the whale interpretive center next door.  Even Karen was willing to wade out into the ocean.  While wading, we noticed that the an arribada of green sea turtles had entered the pond and were sunning on the rocks and sandy beach.  There were a lot of them of varying sizes with several young uns.  As the afternoon waned, we got ourselves cleaned up and set off to the Hotel Wailea Bird Cage for a sunset cocktail and then  down to the Andaz Maui hotel where Myles had made a reservation at the Iron Chef Morimoto's restaurant.  We settled into our poolside table for perhaps the best dining experiences ever.  Capped off a great day in Maui by relaxing over a nightcap on the Lanai overlooking Maalaea Bay.

Nose Swab then beach

 Kicked off the day with a hearty b'fast and some beach prep and headed into Kahului to find the drive in testing spot.  The enterprising Doctors on Call Maui group had overtaken a vacant surf shop and set up a drive in.  We were waved into an available spot to park by the very efficient and helpful gentleman in a gown and mask.  Once he determined that all four of us were seeking a COVID test, he set about getting the paperwork organized.  He was very good at coordinating all of the documentation he required, complete with having a method for getting our passport information into his system (with one minor hiccup).  No sooner had we completed filling out the forms than he was back and forth from the shop with a nose swab (q-tip) which was not nearly as invasive as the ones used in Calgary.  The task was completed very competently and with good humour.  Hopefully the protocol they are following will lead to an acceptable result to get us home on Saturday.  After swabbing, we had been prepared to head straight to the beach, but after a failed attempt to find a restroom at Ross for Less, the decision was taken that it would be effective to just make a pit stop at the condo.  Once everyone was comfortable, we took a drive north to check out Sugar Beach.  The beach is narrow there and unappealing, so we made the call to head back to Big Beach in Makena.  If I hadn't mentioned it before, this beach is really spectacular crescent beach with great water access (nice surf and sandy!).  Wonderful sunbathing afternoon followed by a quick trip up to Maui Brewing for some pu pu's and a pint.  Got back to the condo to freshen up and relax before popping down to Monsoon of India for another super curry feed.  Last stop, cribbage on the Lanai.

More COVID testing stress, interspersed with Maui Nui

 After hardly sleeping subsequent to the disappointing call to CVS helpline, I had decided I would try again, under the disbelief that I could not find a way to pay for testing.  I called again and this time got a much more helpful representative who thoroughly checked the situation over, and came to the same conclusion.  The testing can only be scheduled online and the website cannot accept non-US based credit cards.  Back to the drawing board.  The Maui medical clinic walk in option is still available.  But wait - a new message from WestJet while on the golf course!  Seems like the fed's have expanded the acceptable test protocol to include the RT-LAMP test, which is apparently a "rapid test" providing results in short order.  We quickly looked up rapid testing and found another clinic in Kahului that offered something that sounded right.  The golfing worked out better as we had an early tee time, and Myles had a great round with lots of good shots and a couple of just missed birdie chances. We were actually finished in 4 hours at 12:30 pm and ready for a Maui Brewing Company lunch - but sadly, the don't open till 3:00 pm, so scuppered there.  No worries, off to the permanent food truck spot where we had a great lunch before heading back to the condo for yet more COVID test research.  Turned out that the rapid test offered by Doctors On Call Maui is not the RT-LAMP test after all, which stands to reason.  But wait, the PCR test is available on a walk in basis with results typically returning in 24 - 48 hours.  I spoke with two helpful staffers to confirm all of this and hatched a plan to head into Kahului circa 10:00 am and hope for the best.  While all of this was going on, Myles and Karen were happily sun bathing at the pool (first visit to the pool) while Matthew waded in the fish pond and exercised a constitutional event followed by a disappointing viewing of the World Junior gold medal game - USA emerging victorious from this most unusual COVID compromised tournament.  Karen and Myles wrapped up the the day by preparing a lovely and light meal with whatever provisions they could find.

Hana Highway

Still struggling with the requirements to acquire a negative COVID-19 test, via the PCR protocol, we decided to check out the Maui Medical Group walk in clinic in Wailuku.  Discovered that we could indeed get a PCR test as a walk in, for $250 each.  Plus, expected turn around was 3 to 4 days and no commitment to providing travelers results in a timely fashion.  We decided to try the Longs Drugs option as they offered $139 and appeared to have some appointments available Wednesday morning - but no guarantee that the turnaround would be fast enough.  Sadly, we couldn't book online because the requirement to register a credit card with a USA billing address could not be achieved.  Thought we would just pop into the Longs drugs after our Hana adventure to sort that out.  Minit Medical in Kihei had no appointments available (their price - $175).  So off we went through Kaihului to link up with the Hana Highway and see the black sand beach.  The drive to Hana was very tortuous, made for slow going.  Also, the "highway" is very narrow in parts with many single lane stream crossings.  Nerve wracking to drive, but very beautiful.  Once at the black sand beach, we explored there for a while before deciding to continue on to finish the loop around the southern part of Maui and return to Kaihului.  The road couldn't possibly be more crooked and narrow could it??  Apparently it could, plus much more disrepair.  But what a spectacular drive through rain forests and arid lava fields.  We all agreed that the drive was very entertaining and glad we did it.  The loop is interesting because near the end, the road passes alongside and above Makena, Wailea and Kihei, but you can't descend there and have to go all the way back to Kaihului before looping back up to Kihei.  We popped into the Longs Drugs expecting to be able to book an appointment and pay for the service in person.  But no, must be done on line and too bad for you if your card doesn't work.  Call the 1-800-SHOPCVS for assistance, which I did upon getting back to the condo.  Oops, line shuts down at 10:00 pm EST (5:00 pm HST).  Just missed it. This disappointment was totally offset by a spectacular scene of a humpback whale pod frolicking in the bay very near to shore.   We had an excellent vantage point from the Lanai and put our binoculars and spotting scope to good use.  The show lasted quite a while but did not include a full breach, but very entertaining nonetheless.  From there we went forward with our plan to grill peanut chicken at the poolside BBQ, along with Okra and Swiss Chard.  Had a great meal, enjoyed on the Lanai.  I was really starting to worry that we would not be able to get tested, so resolved to get up at 03:00 am HST to call the CVS Pharmacy Help line, thinking we could work out a solution.  But again - no.  Help line was of little help.  Flatly stated that non-USA credit cards can not be used on their website, so sorry.  Will continue the quest today as we plan to golf and keep checking for changes from WestJet??

Maui Nui round 3

 The earliest tee time available today was at noon, so meal planning had to be modified.  More like Sunday brunch complete with bacon, eggs and mimosas. Playing through the heat of the day provided a bit of a challenge with a few frayed nerves on the back nine.  Play was slow again but all in all the course is just fine for this foursome.  Sadly, our nineteenth hole plan went sideways due to the Maui Brewing Company being closed.  No matter, Myles was at the ready with a suggestion for the Pint and Cork in Wailea (all roads lead to Wailea apparently).  A light meal was capped off with a dram of Yamazaki in this unlikely spot to find the Japanese whisky I had enjoyed while in Kyoto.  Another day in paradise wrapped up with a stop at the grocery store, seems like our meal planning leaves much to be desired?  Back at Menehune we walked south on the beach in the star light and contemplated the vastness of the universe.  After a skinny dip in the fish pond, we retired to the Lanai for a bit of philosophy over a glass of wine.

Just another day at the beach

The boys headed out for a run while taquitos were being prepared.  We had learned that the federal gov't had introduced a new requirement to provide negative COVID test results prior to boarding return flights to Canada.  At first I was suspicious that they could even do this, but a message from WestJet indicated that we would need to find PCR testing services on Wednesday.  Of course, by the time I commenced searching, all appointments had been scooped up.  I'm thinking that they will add some more opportunities considering they charge $175 per.  A few messages to various parties that might know more lead to only a sliver of a chance that things might change in our favour as Albertans before Wednesday.  In spite of the fact that getting stranded in Maui awaiting a COVID test might not be the worst possible outcome, Matthew is very concerned about his situation at 360ELM and how taking more time off might be viewed by them.  Oh well, off to the beach.  We drove back out to Wailea and located the Palauea beach via a trail through the trees.  Soaked up some sun and then rushed back to the condo to freshen up and catch the first half of the Orange Bowl (which the Aggies won in a spectacular finish that I didn't see).  We had made a plan to catch the sunset from the Birdcage at Hotel Wailea Relais & Chateaux.  It was spectacular and Myles got to do his favourite thing.  Afterwards, we decided to grab an enchilada and stopped at the Roasted Chiles for that and a couple of Pacifico's before retiring for the night.

You go beach ya?

 Lazy start with some New Year's day champagne and light b'fast.  As noon approached, we decided to head over to Big Beach and spent the afternoon sunning ourselves and quaffing a few beverages.  Classic Maui beach day with the sun taking its toll, even with SPF 30 screen.  PT Woo no more as I was covered up and in the shade for much of it.  Made our way back to the condo late afternoon and had a plunge in the fish pond with Myles.  Very windy on the Lanai but the boys prepared a pasta feast and ETB for me while the remaining tourists had a moonlit walk on the beach.

Aloha 2020!!!

 Great day on New Year's Eve in Maui.  We started out with a light b'fast and loaded up a cooler for Maui Nui (a learned behaviour from the last round).  With everyone in much better sufficiency and with provisions on board, we tee'd off at 9:20 for a much more pleasant round of golf than our previous effort.  We used the "Players Card" which will prove to bring our average cost down materially if we play a couple more times.  After golf we decided to try the Maui Brewing Company which was just up the road a short way.  This proved a great idea, the food and beer were really outstanding and the outdoor eating area was an excellent feature.  It truly does take an entire day to play a round of golf if you include the 19th hole.  Enroute back to the condo included a "quick" stop at the Safeway for supplies.  Hopefully that will be the last of those.  Once all loaded up to the condo, the boys went for a walk down to Kenolio Beach Park along Kihei Road to grab some New Year's Eve supplies.  I decided to stroll down the beach in the same direction.  This proved to be a mistake as on the way back, I decided to ambulate around the rocky point on the water side.  This decision lead to a mishap where I lost my balance on some rock's and skinned my knees and shins.  Managed to keep my phone above water, but not much else.  Got back to the condo a bloody mess in time to help Karen carry some G&T's and beach towels down the beach in the other direction to meet the boys for a sunset viewing.  This was pleasant, including a smoke (no mean feat without a cutter and in the windy conditions).  After sunset, we were back to the condo for a pu pu platter and watching the fireworks from our Lanai.  This started at dark and continued ceaselessly until well past midnight with a crescendo right at the midnight hour.  All in all a full day.  No plan plan for January 1, 2021.