Turning 40 isn’t exactly something I was ever looking forward to, but I did make the best of it that I could. I had a great birthday trip with a great man and will tell you all about it.

First, let me say really disappointing part of my trip was the service by US Airways. Two canceled flights due to “scheduled maintenance” the day before and the day of travel – if it was scheduled why didn’t they tell us sooner? Poor customer service, bad manners by gate attendants. It was just bad. If I can help it, I will not fly them again, I’ve sent a letter and expect an apology and refunds for some of their errors.

Bill and I did finally meet, in spite of USELess Airways canceled flights in Maui only 30 minutes later than he should have arrived. The flight to Maui for me was two leg, first stop in Phoenix where a USEless Airways attendant refused to talk to me unless I covered up a word on my shirt. When I landed I also received texts from Bill saying his flight had been canceled and he’d been rerouted through Dallas.

In Maui I feared the weather might be an issue as it was overcast and windy, but it cleared up and was great the rest of the trip. Bill rented us a convertible which was very nice to ride in, we headed off to our hotel, the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, in Lahaina about a 40 minute drive as it was rush hour. The Hyatt was pristine, just a very lovely huge property. The only issues that I had at the hotel were long lines to check in and just so so food at the restaurants. The staff was very kind and helpful. There happens to be a bunch of stores in the Hyatt (Macys, Sunglass Hut, some flip-flop store, Na Hoku, and some local things). I forgot to pack my shades, so I had to buy new ones, got a great pair from the Sunglass hut and the lady was very friendly and cool. Bill and I found perfect wedding bands at the Na Hoku.

On our first full day we had scheduled a waterfall tour with Wade and No Ka Oi Adventures. Wade met us on time and greeted me with a hug at the Starbucks. We were soon off on our grand adventure to see secluded waterfalls on Maui. It had been raining and some of the spots we hoped to go were flooded out with very fast-moving current, so Wade opted to take us on more conventional routes. The first more conventional route I slipped and was neck-deep in a fast current before I knew what was happening – some initial panic before I was safe. Then later Bill was trying to reach a cave behind a waterfall and he slipped and hit his side against some rocks, huge bruise and scratch on his ribcage. What we saw with Wade was beautiful and we appreciated all his knowledge of the area, plants and history.

Saturday night we went to see the Drums of the Pacific Lu’au at the Hyatt. I got up to learn to Hula and we met two wonderful people named Ken and Sue from Phoenix. They were great conversationalist and just wonderful people.

Monday morning for my birthday we went whale watching with the Pacific Whale Foundation where we saw several whales from afar and a ton of dolphins – it was just what I wanted. That evening Bill had bought a ticket package to see Cirque Polynesia at the Hyatt and Ken and Sue were there too, we had dinner together after the show and closed the restaurant, it was a great evening and I even got a candle on my dessert. I should mention that Bill decorated the hotel room with 40 Year type things, it was sweet of him. It was the best birthday on record because I got to spend it with him.

Wednesday we flew to Honolulu to see Pearl Harbor where we spent about 4 hours. Then we headed off to The Queens Medical Center where Bill was born and then off to the Palace for a tour. It was nice.

The best parts of the trip were lying in a hammock with Bill under the stars, waking up with Bill every morning, finding the wedding bands and of course everything we did on my birthday. I love Maui. I probably forgot something important that Bill will give me a hard time about, but I’m ok with that. It was a great birthday trip.