CTN Fall-Winter 2007

THIS ISSUE’S HIGHLIGHTS:
* FREE ONLINE CTN A HUGE SUCCESS
* NEW REVISED FREE TRAVEL ARTICLE
* FREE FLIGHTS WITHIN EUROPE
* SAVE $100s OF DOLLARS ON A B&B GET-A-WAY
* BEST THINGS TO DO ON MAUI - FREE BLOG FOR YOU
* MAUI ‘07 VIDEOS - ISLAND TOUR + LAHAINA HALLOWEEN BASH
* 2007 MAUI TIPS
* GIZMO CORNER

HOT NEWS: Go ASAP to the ‘Save
$100’s on B&B article’ - 12/3 deadline
for their extra Free Night Certificate
Offer!

ONLINE CTN A HUGE SUCCESS
MAKE IT FREE AND THEY WILL COME….
OK, so no surprise that CTN’s subscriptions TRIPLED with the advent of our new FREE online CTN. Still, this is the very best way to share our savvy travel TIPS n’ TALES with the traveling public. As we have always said…..nothing beats FREE!

HOW TO GET YOUR FUTURE FREE CTN EDITIONS: Simply provide us with your e-mail address to receive a LINK for each new edition. Rest assured, e-mail addresses shall remain strictly private and will never be ‘shared.’ Since our CTN editions are not published on a regular schedule the ONLY way to receive future issues as they are published is to be on our mailing list.
THANKS TO ALL! BE SURE TO SEND US YOUR EMAIL ADDRESSES IN ORDER TO RECEIVE ALL FUTURE FREE ONLINE CTN EDITIONS

NEW REVISED FREE TRAVEL ARTICLE

The best place to start is with Steve’s newly REVISED FREE TRAVEL ARTICLE. For several years Steve has been a top 10 star rated ‘budget travel’ expert volunteer for public service web site www.allexperts.com As expected, most question revolved around the topic of FREE global travel. The best way to share detailed information regarding our best FREE global travel strategies was to write a lengthy FREE travel blog article. Thereafter, Steve sent all such questioners the LINK to his blog article. This past week Steve completed an overdue update of his article. As always, our efforts are your gain. You will find Steve’s revised FREE travel article at: http://ctnsummer2007ed.blogspot.com/

The article is a great primer for newbies and veteran travelers alike. It also refers back to our last CTN issue:
http://FREEctnsummer2007.blog.com The first article in that issue provides an update on the still current SUPER FREE BONUS MILES give-a-way by Citibank AAdvantage cards. A few clicks on one’s computer can easily obtain the free bonus miles good for an instant round trip airline ticket to Maui or any other Hawaiian island or Mexico or Central America. And this deal does not cost a red cent.

FREE FLIGHTS WITHIN EUROPE

Yes, there are cheapskate airlines like Ryan Air that charged us $35 for our flight from Milan to Glasgow BUT such flights are bare bones, limited to 32 pounds of check-in luggage (so that we had to buy special luggage for the trip) and do not land at major airports. The alternate airports used by Ryan are usually an hour or so from the major nearby city. Ex. Instead of using Milan’s international airport Ryan departs and arrives from Bergamo about an hour away. This past Summer we used 20,000 airline miles for round trip tickets from Paris to Barcelona on very comfortable Lufthansa Airlines using the closest major airports like Charles deGaule. Now, you too can obtain similar FREE tickets on United Airlines or any of its sister airlines for trips between most major European cities. Ex. London to Athens or Stockholm to Barcelona. You get the picture.
Go to this web site:
http://www.firstusa.com/cgi-bin/webcgi/webserve.cgi?partner_dir_name=united_signature_21k_afw&page=
cont&mkid=6VNM

If for any reason the LINK does not work simply Google for “United airlines free 20,000 miles.” You should be directed to this offer. While the above LINK is for 20,000 FREE miles we have seen other similar offers that require payment of a $60 card fee. Try for the FREE United Mileage Plus Visa card first. If the only offer available requires a $60 annual fee to obtain the 20,000 Bonus miles this is still a geat deal….so DO IT.Want another FREE 20,000 miles? To make a total of 40,000 FREE miles? Apply for and obtain United’s Business Visa card which is also a FREE card. Go to:
http://www.firstusa.com/cgi-bin/webcgi/webserve.cgi?partner_dir_name=united_bizcard_21k_afw&page=
cont&mkid=6B01

SAVE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON BED & BREAKFAST
AND COUNTRY INNS 2 FOR 1 DEAL
We admit it. Every year as the holidays grow near we hold this money saving deal dear. Who says we can not rhyme! For the past six years we have been saving big time using a FREE NIGHT certificate found in American Historic Inn’s yearly publication, Bed & Breakfast and Country Inns guide. More good news. Their newest 19th Edition, which just published offers the following:
.

HOW TO SAVE $650: Each year we enjoy learning the name and description of Historic Inns best money saving deal. This relates to their most expensive listed B&B. All you need do for a FREE $650 night is decide to visit North Carolina and use your FREE ONE NIGHT certificate to stay at ‘1900 INN ON MONTFORD.’ Next make a high season booking for their Cloisters suite using your FREE night certificate. The Cloisters is a 1300 sq. ft. five rooms second floor carriage house suite. It offers a whirlpool bath, sitting room, private entrance with balcony and the below pictured fabulous living room. The living room is 20′ x 24′ with hand-carved paneling imported from India and four person Inglenook fireplace. See for yourself:

Again, this B&B is called 1900 INN ON MONTFORD and is found in Asheville, NC. Want to know more? Here is I Love Inn’s Cloisters web page:
http://www.iloveinns.com/innlink.php?innID=12500&city=Asheville&state=NC

EXCLUSIVE HISTORIC INNS 10% CTN READER DISCOUNT:
By special arrangement with American Historic Inns CTN readers may obtain a 10% DISCOUNT on ANY Historic Inns products, such as their new 19th Edition B&B guide including any of the above mentioned special deals. This discount expires 12/25/07. If ordering by phone ( 1-800-397-4667 ) before that date be sure to request the 10% discount at the time of ordering and mention our special discount code which is: STEVE&PAT Again, when ordering request a 10% discount and mention discount code: STEVE&PAT The code is set forth without any spaces which is how it was presented to us. If ordering on the web site listed below be sure to enter the discount code and confirm it is recognized and the you are getting the 10% reduction. Otherwise, order by phone.
CONTACT FOR ORDERING: http://store.iloveinns.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=AHI19

BEST THINGS TO DO ON MAUI - FREE BLOG FOR YOU

Out of the box let us mention our very special relationship with the Valley Isle of Maui. In the early 1980’s we purchased two studio apartments at the Royal Kahana Resort in Kahana, Maui. We are licensed “innkeepers” and have visited Maui 30+ times over the years. Presently, the resort is managed by Outrigger. As owners we may visit each studio up to one month per year at ANY time so long as we provide 30 days notice. Enter two of our closest lifelong friends, hard core New Yorkers, who like most east coasters had never visited Hawaii. This time around we convinced them to accompany us to Maui and THEY AGREED. What better way to orient them and now YOU to Maui then via a special ‘best things to do’ on Maui BLOG. We created the blog which includes some awesome photos relating to each activity, location etc.

ROAD TO HANA: A ‘must do’ road trip six hour round trip adventure that is one of the most awesome drives on Earth. The drive meanders along Maui’s windward coast through tropical rainforest along with over 600 curves and over 50 one lane bridges en route to Hana. The drive also offers roadside hikes to hidden waterfalls, an array of colorful flowers and vegetation and spectacular ocean views of the best island surfers not to mention a fun stop in “Heavenly Hana” and a refreshing swim in the Seven Sacred Pool.
Here is my ‘Garden of Eden’ view of the Seven Sacred Pools:


TIP: Something a bit new this time around. At the blossoming little town of Paia, just a few miles from Kahalui the very beginning of the Road to Hana, we stopped at the Hana Bay Juice Company to buy well publicized “Road to Hana” audio tour CD that features a colorful “Captain Aloha” character who details the stops along the way and also numerous upbeat Hawaiian musical tracks. (111A Hana Highway; 808-579-8686).

A VISIT TO THE 10,000 FOOT SUMMIT OF HALEAKALA: We were heading out for a full day Road to Hana trip. As we crossed the Iao Valley Steve said “Isn’t that the summit of Haleakala.” For days, as is often the case, the summit was shrouded in clouds. We turned and saw the awesome crystal clear view to the summit. In a flash we changed plans and headed straight for the 10,000 foot mountain top. As you can see the view was almost beyond description. TIP: Check the weather reports and in the end be savvy and go for it when and if the time is right. Also, me made NO stops along the way since clouds can and were moving toward the summit. Our one hour summit visit beat the odds and remained totally cloud free. Then, we enjoyed numerous stops, including the Kula Botanical Gardens on the way down the volcano. NOTE: Our spur of the moment change of plans required we use all our extra, available light jackets which were barely enough to keep us comfortable at the summits lower 55 degree but sunny temperature.

VIEWING MAUI FROM THE WATER: We totally enjoyed the sailing ‘adventure’ offered by the America II berthed in Lahaina. The America II was an Americas cup contender in Australia and strutted its stuff for about one hour whilst under full sail. Passengers can assist with the rigging and expect to get wet on this fast paced ride. The views of Maui and neighboring islands are, as expected, spectacular.
Here is a bit of video (very difficult to film due to the wet conditions) from out
day sail. Check current ads. The best price we found was $34 for the two hours sail.
See the final CTN article, below, for info on our exciting ‘mini’ America II video


SUNSET DINNER AT KIMOS ON LAHAINA’S FRONT STREET: This is pretty much covered in our BLOG. Just a note to say nothing has changed. Same great food, still no reservations needed but do show up at 5pm for best seats and specialty Kuola Plum sauced Ribs still rock.

SWAN COURT BUFFET BREAKFAST: You have now seen our YouTube video, Swan at our table and all. Still a world class breakfast experience. Only negative is somewhat less of a deluxe buffet offering. Gone are the Macadamia nut pancakes. And, why oh why were DONUTS on the buffet table. Still great cooked to order omelettes, Patty’s favorite Eggs Benedict, specialty cakes (yummy) and enough goodies to justify the $28 price. And really it is the ambiance and of course the waterfall and SWANS swimming to our table. Still two thumbs way up, And these two memorable still shots from our table. Yes, the Swan was about two feet from our table.

IAO NEEDLE STATE PARK: Well covered in our blog. Well worth the brief one hour visit. Hiking is short and easy with some steps to the highest ‘needle’ view point.

STROLLING LAHAINA TOWN: Great the first day after a ‘few’ brief hours on the beach so as not to scorch thy self. Thereafter, whenever and especially cooler evenings. We stroll the town after our fun meal at Kimos and Kobe. TIP: Three hours parking on Front Street and side streets if you can get it. Unlimited parking two blocks away at Wainee Street. A bit further away more free parking is available at the south end of town across from the Kamehameha School and across from the Lahaina Shores Hotel. Numerous fee (not free) lots are also scattered throughout town, the largest of which is near Hilo Hattie at the Lahaina Center. Participating Lahaina Center merchants will validate your parking ticket allowing for a reduced rate.

MONEY $$$$$$ SAVING TIP: We ALWAYS purchase a Hawaii Entertainment two-for-coupon book. This last October visit made it easy. We bought the books in August for the end of year (new books come out in October) price of only TEN DOLLARS each! The new 2008 Hawaii book is now offered with free shipping and $5 off for a net price of $30. On the negative side the Hawaii books contain a limited number of Maui coupons. At least 70% of the books covers Oahu, 10% other islands and 10% Maui. Of course, some may hand off the book to others visiting Hawaii during the year OR visit other islands and use those coupons BUT we stick to Maui and always save some money using the best of the smathering of Maui coupons as follows (realizing these coupons have been in the Hawaii books the past five years BUT so they will LIKELY be in the 2008 books.

1. Kobe (Teppan) Kobe Japanese Steak house: See our Blog for more info. The photo on the right says it all. Best coupon in the book at $20 off dinner (steak dinner cost is $23).

2. Bada Bing restaurant in Kehei: Great food in an outdoor umbrella table setting just next to the indoor/outdoor marketplace. $12 savings.
3. Royal Lahaina Resort: We used the lounge $12 coupon for a super sunset dinner. Check out the fantastic table side view. Also, a $20 coupon for their regular restaurant.
4. Hagen Daas Free $7 specialty ice cream.
5. Tropical Plantation: One $10 ticket free
6. Miniature Golf: One $15 game free
7. UFO parasailing: One free, usually about $35
8. Half day zodiac raft snorkeling trip to Lanai, one free, usual cost about $65
9. Chez Pierre: One free entre at Maui’s best French restaurant. We have not used this one but for those who
love French restaurants…Hmmmm and yes likely $150 or so even after using the coupon.
10. Miscellaneous casual and fast food eateries, coffee shops and even a great lunch in the up country town of
Makawao that saved us another $15.
CONCLUSION: We have always saved $$$$ using the Hawaii Entertainment book whenever visiting Maui.
Contact: www.entertainment.com

VALLEY ISLE YOU TUBE VIDEO SLIDE SHOW FOR YOU
If a picture is worth a thousand words our YouTube ‘musical’ video slide show will entice all of your tropical senses. Simply CLICK on this LINK to instantly view our fun October 2007 tour of the Valley Isle:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=PiUWkIMuM5Q

BONUS HALLOWEEN YOU TUBE VIDEO: Here is our YouTube slide and video of Lahaina Town’s marvelous Halloween bash that drew a whopping 25,000 people from all parts of Maui. Again, just CLICK on the below LINK to instantly view the Lahaina Halloween bash:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=KQarVBcigio
We end our Maui update with a very fond MAHALO!

STEVE’S GIZMO CORNER (2 GIZMOS FOR YOU)
There is that well know phrase that goes something like……’a boy and his toys’ and which is often applied to adult boys at heart. This time around my Gizmo pick is nothing less than a TOTAL FUN TOY. First, there is our history of tropical vacations including power snorkeling and scuba diving. Next, enter an enticing email I received from Sharper Image offering a Sea Scooter 400 at HALF PRICE. ON a semi-lark, without my usual intense research (given the VERY low price and willingness of Sharper Image to deliver it Maui) I made the purchase.
TIP: One can usually buy Sharper Image gift cards on Ebay. I did this, purchasing an $80 card for $60. Since gift cards often sell for 90% of their face value ($72 in this case) snagging the card for $60 was a good deal.

My final delivered price was $149, downright cheapskate I thought for such an item. This snorkeling sea scooter is good to 15 feet, fine for chasing fish, has a speed of about 2mph and runs for one full hour before requiring re-charging. I was DELIIGHTED with its performance. Awesome orange color with great over the shoulder sling carry case and weighing only 7 pounds it was easy to transport and SO MUCH FUN to use. I went in and out of the water several times and NEVER used up the battery. I did save the ’scooting’ for traveling from reef to reef and for the quick trips to and from the beach. I also, gave the scooter needed rest time as I ‘manually’ explored many reefs. No more wasting time and effort over ’sand’ getting to reefs and getting to the next further reef etc. I delighted as I chased box fish that were unable to out race my scooter speed. Although 2mph may sound a bit slow it was totally adequate for me. When currents were dragging me toward a reef I simply turned the scooter around, hit the trigger and was instantly wisked to a safe distance.
Bottom line: Two big thumbs up for this fine product.

TIP: Sea Scooters are great gifts for KIDS as well as kids at heart. My scooter, the Sea-Doo XL model is rated for ages EIGHT and up. Of course, younger kids should use a scooter exclusively with adult supervision. Responsible teens should do fine using a sea scooter on their own. THAT means that parents and even grand parents can let their ’strong’ teen carry the 12lb scooter into the ocean, say at Kaanapali on Maui, and plead with their child/grand child let them in on the FUN of using the scooter.

To the right a neat shot of mother and very young son and scooter:

TIP: I have since discovered that several different brands and models are available on Ebay at similar cheapskate prices, from about $100 to $200. Some modes are rated for use at depths of up to 80 feet, good for scuba as well as snorkeling and some indicate higher speeds of up to 4mph though that model indicated only 45 minutes of battery time.You will need to do your own research on this one.

Contacts: First, as noted my scooter is the Sea-Doo XL which has been replaced by a new model, the Sea-Doo Dolphin. Both have the same specs with one exception. The new model’s battery is rated for 90 minutes. Amazon.com low price for the Dolphin is $154. Here is the Sea-Doo web page that features their Dolphin: http://www.seadooseascooter.com/pspecif_dolphin.html
Here are a couple of final pix. The orange scooter is the XL and the Yellow scooter is the newer Dolphin:


LOVE YOU CAT? FOLLOW IN OUR MAX CAT FOOTSTEPS
The quandry: We are often off traveling for three months at a clip. How to insure that our favorite Max Cat will have daily fresh air and sunshine, to enjoy our yard with all its sights and smells and to see birds etc. up close? We came up with two ‘gizmos’ that solve the problem. First, we hire a great local pet sitting company so that Max cat has a visitor who picks up our mail, cleans the litter box and otherwise takes great general care of Max. Normally, such pet sitters can do no more than try to play with a pet in the house. But we want that fresh air and sunshine, right? We purchased two super products that are set up on our deck and lawn. The first is called a pop-up screen room. We happen to have a gazibo but regardless the pop-up screen room stands on its own. We carefully weight its edges so that Max can not ‘dig’ his way out. It is 8×8 so large enough for two chaise lounges, one for the sitter and ONE FOR MAX. It is over six feet high so that a person can stand inside the room and it has an easy zippered entry doorway. The sitter simply carries Max to the door, drops him onto a chaise lounge and then follows suit, zippers the door closed and both can enjoy fresh air, sunshine etc. in total comfort. Obviously, the sitter will also spend some time playing with Max indoors.

The second is the Kitty Walk System which starts with a ten foot section and in our case, with subsequent add-on purchases, is sixty feet long. This permits Max to run the entire sixty feet chasing bugs, birds etc. and munching on grass that grows into the netting. Yes, Kitty walk is 100% enclosed netting. Just view the pictures to see and appreciate how well it works. When home we add a litter box, toys, carpet pieces and scratch pads to the kitty walk. A regular yard based Max cat CONDO! The sitters usually use the screen room since they can enjoy the chaise lounge whilst giving hands on attention to Max cat. The Kittywalk is best for permant use while we are home. Both are awesome ways to solve the quandry: permitting Max Cat to enjoy our yard in total safety. ANd no need for us to be out there with him (though we monitor every so often).

Here are shots of Max in a section of his Kittywalk and also in his pop-up screen tent room on a chaise lounge. YOu can see the large zipper doorway is open. and on his scratch pad:


Contacts: Kittywalk company web site: http://www.kittywalk.com/
Also check Midnight Pass for occasional Kittywalk deals: http://www.midnitepass.com/kittywalk-systems-pet-products.html

Also, check Ebay for occasional Kittywalk deals. Our 8×8 pop-up screen room is no longer available.
The next best, also make by Frikon company, is a great looking 8′ Cross-Length Hexagonal Pop Up Screen Room. It is a bit pricy at $149 and two of the six walls are solid and NOT see-through screen material. Check it out at: http://www.nicamaka.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=503

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!