12 Days of Kalikimaka

We're all familiar with that long, drawn-out carol called "The 12 Days of Christmas." We've heard it a thousand times and probably have heard at least a half-dozen (mostly comical) variations. Have you heard of the Hawaiian version?

It doesn't exist. In fact, I don't know if the kalikimaka part of "mele kalikimaka" can stand on its own to replace the word Christmas. But are going to pretend it does. And hopefully I can figure out 12 gifts of Christmas from my modern-day Don Ho.

Here goes...

12 Drummers Drumming

The big lu'au we attended was actually called the Drums of the Pacific Lu'au. While there weren't 12 drummers drumming, there were anywhere from one to four at any given time. The focus of the Lu'au was to share through dance and song the many cultures of Polynesia. It was outstanding. There will be a few more related photos... or closely related to the 12 Days.

Eleven Pipers Piping

How about 11 Pipers Paddling instead? There were some really colorful numbers illustrating the journey to the Hawaiian islands.

Ten Lords a Leaping

Maui is host to some of the largest surfing competitions in the world. It was no surprise that even with "small" waves, we saw some lords a leaping over the waves.

Nine Ladies Dancing

Before you get excited about the "real" hula girls, I will have you know that at our resort's Polynesian show, I did get up in front of 100 people and learn the hula. If figured you only live once – plus no one knew me!

Sure, I might have been the oldest one up there (red Badger shirt), but I was young at heart!

 And look how much I improved by the end of the week!

No comparison to the dancing lu'au ladies, though!

Eight Maids a Milking

While we didn't have milk maids or meter maids on Maui, we did have Ubers.

The ukelele-playing Melanie was our first Uber driver we'd ever "hired." I wasn't even sure if I knew what Uber was until then. But the concierge recommended we download the app and use that for a personalized taxi service versus the more expensive commercial taxi services. In the end, it was pretty convenient for us.

Seven Swans a Swimming

This should be more like seven seconds swimming! The waves and undercurrent were pretty strong so it wasn't like we could just float around in the ocean!

If I lived there, I would need to either shave my head or invests into some serious hairspray!

Six Geese a Laying

Despite the breezes, there were at least six geese/girls/gals laying... in the sun, that is!

Five Golden Rings

Welcome, Johnny Cash and his five burning rings of fire!

 Definitely the coolest part of the Lu'au!

Hey, why not throw fire while we're at it? Crazy!

Four Calling Birds

While we kept in touch with Carter via text regularly, we were the calling parent birds on a few occasions, including one where we video-chatted.

Poor Carter. We showed him some beach footage but the waves and wind were so loud, we couldn't hear him, even on speaker. So we sort of had to cut him off. Not something this mom would ever do under normal circumstances! We wanted him to feel a little included, though, even if it probably made it worse, based on the frigid, snowy weather back home! 

Three French Hens

I don't think it was French hens who laid the eggs for our breakfast and lunch experiments we had, but the eggs played a part. While we had coconut in a dozen ways and fish, including shrimp, swordfish and mahi-mahi, one of the interest "local" meals we had was called Loco-Moco.

This was served as a lunch and included white rice topped with two hamburger patties topped with gravy and two eggs. I gotta say, it seems like a weird combo, but it was pretty darn good!

Two Turtle Doves

C'mon, it's Hawaii. You think we're going to see two turtle doves? Saw these two parrots hanging out and thought that was pretty cool. For a pretty penny, you could get your picture taken with them, too.

and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

No pear tree, but how about a Banyan Tree? Hard to describe, but oh so interesting. One tree covering nearly an acre and it somehow has 11 or so trunks. The largest one of its kind in the U.S.

A view from the edge of the park. I just couldn't get it all in the frame!

Trunks under the tree canopy.

Isn't it the strangest thing?

At night, the Christmas trees light up the trunk area so tourists like me can walk about taking pictures.

And, of course, wondering what their true loves will bring the next 12 days of Christmas, or Kalikimaka!