HAPPY BIRTHDAY to me!
Yikes .. I’m 40 today.
Ok .. the day started at 3am. Now you’re probably thinking wouldn’t you want to sleep in on your birthday. You can sleep in any day but to spend your birthday on top of a crater watching the sunrise is a truly magical experience.
We left the condo and drove approximately 1-1/2 hours to the Haleakala Crater. We got there around 5am and the ranger told us that sunrise was at 5:37am. Once we parked the car, we had to put on every piece of clothing that we brought with us … jeans, sweatshirts, socks, etc. The temperature up there was 50°F. There were people there bundled up in blankets and sleeping bags.
Everyone who visits Maui must do this. You are above the clouds and all of a sudden the sun appears. Words can not describe it. We were lucky that there was a full moon and it was actually very bright even before the sun appeared. Needless to say, lots of pictures were taken.
We drove up to the summit and Karen brought out the champagne and orange juice. It’s probably not smart to be drinking at 6am on a empty stomach at 10,000 feet.
We started our drive down the mountain. You have to be careful when driving down because there are many people that are riding bikes back down. As you go down, the temperature goes up and the layers come off. We stopped in Makawao and Paia before heading back to the condo for some relaxation and birthday cake.
One of my birthday presents was an hour at Massage Maui (Thanks Darren & Allison). I had a facial and reflexology treatment and somehow stumbled my way back to the condo. We drove to Makena to check out beaches recommended in “Maui Revealed”.
We then headed to The Shops at Wailea to try and meet Paul Stanley at Celebrites. Paul Stanley was having an exhibition of his artwork. The only problem we soon realized was the only way to meet him was to buy one of his pieces. The least expensive was $850. I’m not spending that kind of money to meet him.
After lots of waiting around (2-1/2 hours), we were rewarded. Karen and I each got to talk to Paul, got our pictures taken with him and he even signed a card to me (told him it was my 40th birthday).
Many thanks to Karen for making this birthday truly memorable and special.
Where’s the pic. of you and Paul??? They always say that Patience is a virtue and now it also has its own rewards!
Don’t tell me you join the nudists at Little Beach! Was that in “Maui Revealed” – as in no clothes!?!?! That would be a truly memorable 40th.
Very nice of Allison and Darren to treat you to a spa treatment on your birthday – must have been very relaxing. Glad you had a great birthday.
What a wonderful way to spend your birthday! I’m so glad to hear you had an experience of a lifetime. So many people want to run away from their birthdays. It’s a time to celebrate! Glad to see you’re one of the smart ones (not that I had any doubt!!!).