Heliflight

Not a hell flight but a helicopter flight. I enjoyed a comfortable 45 minute tour of the mountains and waterfalls of Maui's inaccessible north shore as well as the sheer cliffs of nearby island Molokini. Tess chose not to fly although even nervous flyers woul have held on to their breakfast today. I had eaten little as a precaution though. Americans seem a quiet lot.There were 7 people on board but apart from our pilot who gave a sporadic commentary, I was the only one to speak or ask a queston. Reminded me of our silent table at the magic show. Why the silent treatment??

It was an expensive excursion but gave views you can't see any other way.

We are wasting a few hours in Maui airport before our 30 minute flight, basically losing a day for this short hop, which is annoying.

Returned the Hertz car undamaged and quipped that it was older than I was used to - maybe 2007 or older. Did the job. No dramas on the roads but Honolulu is much busier. l plan to stay out of the city most of the time.

I told Tess that the day would not be a complete loss if we managed to pick up an ipad on our way to the resort. She countered with a macbook air. I suspect we will end with neither although the cost of electronics is trivial by comparison with air tours (US$430 for an air tour down to the big island volcano and $240 for my ride) or Art - tess was tempted by a Dali for $8000 yesterday and the salesman thought we were sold. I am encouraging tess to buy more pencils instead.

I hope the Ko Olina resort will have free wifi as promised as I have lots of photos to sort and upload. We were quite busy on Maui despite not seeming to do much - my hiking shoes remained dry and Tess had just one swim.

The food we have eaten, after careful selection has been very nice but there is still a vast amount of fried food and greens are scarce. Food and drink is cheap though even when taxes and tips are included.

Running out of battery. Still close to two hours to wait. FOr a half hour flight!

Aloha