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??