Maui Wow-ie : Maui Day 1

"Hey... do you think we're in first class? Our tickets say 2A and 2C...." I asked Kendra.

"First Class? Umm, maybe it's a small plane."

Such was our innocence at the thought of being on a first class trip to Maui, but our suspicions proved true and we were welcomed into the sheer luxury of the first class cabin. Surrounded by so much space, we sipped on our pre-takeoff wine while the peasants boarded the cabin behind us. If only we hadn't gorged ourselves on Vietnamese food at Pho 79, we wouldn't have felt so guilty when we continued to gorge ourselves on the flight! "Hot cookies for you sir? Another Diet Coke?" I ignored Kendra's criticism of my choice of beverage as we flew to Washington. Kendra's observations became less frequent as her personal wine tour of Alaska Airlines took effect. It was a great flight.

We landed in Washington and Meo picked us up. Our one day layover in Washington would allow us to have a delightful conversation with Meo, see Lauren texting, have drinks with TheRhys, Bourne-style ambush Ben Drum while dining on donuts with Aaron Seo while Kendra takes a table for 1 at Portage Bay, have Middle Eastern food at Mamnoon restaurant with the Khorsands (and see Rain Wilson ), then have coffee with the Mitchells (which now means you're talking about 3 people). The layover was a phenomenal trip in its own right, but we were shortly off to Maui on, oh yes, another first class flight to Maui.

The decadence. The elitist comfort. People catering to your every whim, things simply falling into place. It's the closest I'll ever get to realizing what it feels like to be Ian Hamilton.

Anyway we land completely refreshed, as far as 6 hour flights go, in the rater tiny and almost developing country-esque airport on Maui to the world's coolest and most enthusiastic welcome party. Daddio brought us leis, which Kendra would enthusiastically wear during the entirety of the trip, as well as the car he rented for us! Man, this trip is going to be off the hook.

He gave us the lay of the land as we drove to our residence in Wailuku. He agonized over his choice of residence for us in Maui... and knocked it out of the park! We stayed in an absolutely charming, colonial Bed and Breakfast run by local Janice. We were immediately enthralled with the decor, particularly Kendra who decided we would have to move there. We stayed in the expansive _____ room, which was bigger than the apartments Kendra and I had for the first three years of our marriage. It also included an imperial level bathroom with a tub with a jacuzzi tub.

One of the best moments of the trip then happened, when, despite our jet lag, we joined Daddio on the garden veranda for some wine and fun conversation. It was priceless time together and a great way to begin the trip.