I am about to tell you my story......... It may sound like a fantasy or fairy tale that only "Disney" could write but this is an authentic, up close and personal account of my journey.
My sense of adventure and fearlessness has taken me on a long and exciting journey .............
I spent the early part of my childhood in Brooklyn, NY. Some years later my family moved to Los Angeles, CA—most importantly—near the beach! Growing up close to the ocean definitely prompted thoughts of the Hawaiian Islands. Does the movie "Blue Hawaii" ring a bell? My best friend in high school, Priscilla Taurog, had a world famous movie director for a dad. They spent months on end in Hawaii, on Oahu and she used to tell me stories about the islands and Elvis. I mostly focused on the Hawaii part of the story. I was mesmerized. After seeing photographs and hearing stories from the set of this movie, my yearning to experience Hawaii firsthand peaked.
My first visit to Maui about 10 years later was UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! No photograph could ever do the island justice. From the window of our Maui vacation villa, I and my husband could see endless blue sky, an abundance of flowers and greenery that was unimaginably lush, miles of unspoiled beach and a clear, turquoise ocean that seemed to be dancing just for me. Right then and there I was afflicted with an "island fever" that remains incurable to this day!
Ten months after that quick peek of Maui, we uprooted to the picture-perfect Hawaiian Islands. This paradise is where we raised our two daughters with no regrets whatsoever!!!
In 1980 I started quite a trend when I commenced the "Maui Surfing School" and my infamous Learn to Surf in one Lesson technique.-
There is no exaggeration when I say that I have taught tens of thousands of people to surf. "Specializing in Beginners & Cowards" was the slogan. Men, women, boys, girls, beginners and the fearful. In 1983 I co-operated a snorkel business with a friend who was a marine biologist. I have spent more time in the ocean than many fish and I'm very proud of it.
Everyone dreams of the romance that should make the package complete. Who wouldn't say "I DO" in the midst of this euphoria? So, I made it happen. I set in motion one of the first wedding companies on Maui. I became a licensed wedding officiant and performed 2500 wedding ceremonies, vow renewals and commitment ceremonies. Please visit my Maui Wedding Guide site.
I bought my first oceanfront vacation condo in 1994 and it wasn't in Arizona. Soon thereafter, I had five oceanfront properties. This is when www.mauicondos.com was born as both a dream come true and a blessing. Now I had a way to share Maui luxury rentals and vacation homes with everyone around the globe.
Travel is one of my great loves and I go where adventure leads me. Over the years I have been on expeditions to Corsica, Spain, France, England, Australia, New Zealand, China, Germany, Austria, Bali, Thailand, Sardinia, Italy, Switzerland, New Zealand, Peru, Colombia, hiking across the Pyrenees, Japan, Fiji, Scotland and a bicycle tour of Ireland. I have run 2 marathons, 2 half marathons, done the Tour de Palm Springs and many accomplishments too numberous to mention.
Physical activity runs parallel to travel for me. I engage in kayaking, surfing, sailing, scuba diving,golf, stand up paddle surfing, and just being one with nature. Family and friends are my main priority, then comes staying fit, travel and adventure. These are my favorite things that occupy my time when I am not busy finding the perfect Maui vacation villa for you.
Contacting me will be the beginning of your exciting and memorable vacation and a memorable thread of your life's story.
With much gratitude and Aloha,
Andrea Thomas
As you walk and eat and travel, be where you are, otherwise you will miss most of your life – Buddha