"My Maui Story"

by Barbara

When I first signed up for Sonki Fitness Vacation, I did so with hesitation since I didn’t know anyone else who was going.  I never imagined that I could have so much fun with a bunch of strangers!  To have guests coming from across the country to join on this “fitness vacation” came as a shock to me.  Who would actually search the Internet for a “fitness vacation??”  Who would go on this trip as their honeymoon?  Are these people nuts?   

Sonki and Boyd created a relaxed “We’re meeting at 9am people, not 9:10” environment for all of us to come together while at the same time setting up boot camp in such a beautiful setting.  We became a source of entertainment for many tourists during our sprints up the Marriott’s grassy hills and our Flicker ball games at Big Beach.  I will always remember our daily activities like the drive along the one lane road in Kaanapali.  “Honk Sonki, honk!” we would scream, as the locals would speed around blind corners.  Who could forget the customers playing bingo in the supermarket aisles and the power rangers riding down Haleakala in the rain?  Although our hikes were cut short because of Mother Nature, the time spent getting to our adventures and sharing my Off! Insect Repellent still made for good fun.  Of course, I was the one who came home with a leg full of mosquito bites and a tube of Benadryl.  Thankfully, I was safe by the pool, which became our hotel hangout to find each other and chat.    

Our nights were filled with good food and good company.  All of our delicious meals were followed by nights on the town, from shopping at the ABC Store in Lahaina, listening to Willie K at Hapa’s, celebrating Cinco de Mayo at Lulu’s, dancing at Tsunamis, to getting that ride from the Fairmont’s concierge to Mulligan’s.  Just witnessing our fearless leaders hula dancing at the luau and singing at Sansei made the trip worthwhile!  And to think Kathleen has it all on video!!  I will never forget Sandra’s energy and laugh, Kate’s chocolate macadamia nut massage, Beng being hoisted by us “Sonki Girls” at Hapa’s, Danielle’s cool gifts, Gia flashing half the patrons at Sansei, Roger’s parrot jokes, Johneen bouncing to “everybody in the house gettin’ tipsy,” Bridget’s accent, Sarah’s squatting, Amber’s great catches, Verneta’s attempts at going horse back riding, Steve’s body shots, my nightly gab fests with Kathleen, Boyd asleep by the pool, and Sonki giving me the bill to decipher.  I have met some fascinating individuals and am thankful that I have made new, long lasting friendships.  Where are we going next?