Aloha Everyone!

We at McCoy Travel would like to send you sunshine from our beautiful islands. The humpback whales are here, after swimming all the way from Alaska. We are expecting a magnificent whale season this year. What a site to behold. Enjoy a Whale watching boat ride or kayaking can be exhilarating if one of the behemoths come your way (your are not allowed to paddle toward them). I've included an "old" picture of a 1992 kayak whale experience. That is ME clapping my hands in the air!

It was a perfectly gorgeous Thanksgiving this year with clear skies and, and much needed rainbow showers up here in the elevations of Kula, 3,500 ft on the side of Haleakala. Upper Kula is a unique area with a micro-climate that supports such delicious edibles as apples (fruiting now!), peaches, pears, figs, loquats, persimmons and an array of unique and fragrant flowers/succulents and more.

The spectacular views and diverse and colorful trees/plants/flower are enough to dazzle your eyes when you enjoy the scenic drive up Haleakala Hwy on your way to the top of the crater. Many have been told that sunrise at the top of Haleakala is something you must do! I suggest, for those who do not wish to get up at 3AM for the 2+ hour drive to a VERY cold 10,000ft elevation, to enjoy the sunset from the top of Haleakala. It's one of Maui's best kept secrets. Bring a warm coat and be ready for stunning views of all of the islands surround Maui. At 10,000 feet you are usually above the clouds and rain that often gather on our mountain (just about where I live!). After 36 years in Hawaii, I vote sunset on top of Haleakala one of Hawaii's best experiences! Take in the zipline on Haleakala or Olinda and stop by Alii's Lavender Farm when in my neck of the woods.

This summer/fall the McCoy gang has been out and about, taking in our stunning Islands. We like to tell our clients that our resort meanderings are "for the good of the company" :) Keep in mind, unlike a real vacation, we stay 1-2 nights and use everything we experience to assist in planning our clients vacations.
We also spend time with our most valuable "contacts" at the resorts who help us offer you all the little extras.
Many of us have been to Honua Kai in Kaanapali, Hyatt Maui, Kaanapali Alii, Puunoa, St Regis Princeville, Koa Kea (Poipu), Makena Resort. Coming up is our Holiday weekend at the Sheraton Maui. I recently spent 5 nights at the St. Regis Princeville and went zip lining (LOVED IT). What a magnificent few days at one of the most elegant and romantic resorts in Hawaii! One Enchanted Evening is an understatement! Faye spent time in New Zealand (she IS a Kiwi) and Sue is going to Paris for New Years! I have been to Las Vegas 2 times in the last 3 months for conferences. It was great fun, fantastic food and it was good to see my peers. One was a Fiji Travel Conference and one a Luxury Travel Conference.

The McCoy Team's biggest adventure was a McCoy Weekend at the Kona Village on the Big Island, with families in tow. Sue flew out from Maryland, Mark flew out from Ft. Lauderdale and the rest of us flew to the Big Island of Hawaii for an exceptionally great time together in our own Thatched Huts! Kona Village is the ONLY Thatched Hut resort in the Hawaiian Islands with an all inclusive experience (food & activities). It exudes Hawaiian hospitality and friendliness. Choose from oceanfront or lagoon bungalows. We left the sliding door wide open in our oceanfront bungalow to listen to the sounds of the ocean pulsing against the shore. The snorkeling was almost unmatched in the little bay at the resort. The "Nature" was incredible with Green Sea Turtles sunning on the beaches and pods of spinner dolphins being sited off shore. I surely LOVE "my" Maui, but joyfully tell you that the ocean life on the Big Island is extremely impressive!

Several of us enjoyed other resorts on the Big Island including the Four Seasons Hualalai and Mauna Kea. Back on Maui, Sue and her husband/son and Mark (O solo mio) took extra time to experience the Fairmont Kealani, Four Seasons Wailea, the Grand Wailea, Wailea Marriott and Four Seasons Lanai.

On the nuts and bolts side of things.... Please keep a look out for our Tuesday McCoy Travel Newsletters. New features are linking to our Blogs, Facebook and Twitter Accounts. The Win a Free Trip link gives you an opportunity to register or update your profile in our database, your travel preferences and register for the current sweepstakes to Win a Free Trip. Currently, the free vacation is a Mekong River Cruise. You will also find links to our Niche Newsletters: Cruise, Fiji, Hawaii and Family. The offers in our Tuesday McCoy Newsletter are current and often exceptional values. Check out our Newsletters, etc here.

Our Client Testimonial Blog is here.

Mahalo for your patronage and interest. We look forward to hearing from you again soon. We REALLY appreciate you referring family and friends to book their vacations/cruises with McCoy Travel and provide you with $100 travel credit for doing so.

Fondest Regards
Melissa