Since having to cancel our big trip to Thailand last year, we have been waiting patiently (okay...not so patiently) for Darren to accrue some vacation time so we could take a much needed trip. After vacillating between a couple different locations we chose Maui. We absolutely loved the islands of Kauai and Oahu so we were excited to become acquainted with this one.
We stayed in an awesome condo right on the beach near Ka'Anapali called
The Kulakane. What an amazing view!! I will never be able to stay inland after this. I became completely spoiled by the view and the sound of the waves crashing at night.
This is the view from the living room. It was seriously 50 feet from the ocean. The island off to the right is Molokai. It was definitely paradise.
Guests blowing conch shells to welcome the sunset. A local tradition.
So here are some of the things we did while there:
Snorkeling at Honolua Bay
A beautiful Northern Cardinal
The hike down to Honolua Bay. So beautiful!!
Kapalua Bay
Honokohau Bay. This was a privately owned bay so we couldn't venture past the bridge.
Heart shaped hole in the rock at Nakalele Blowhole, North Shore
This wasn't even the best of it. This thing can shoot up to 100 feet into the air. There is a sign at the beginning of the hike that says, "WARNING! Stay clear of blowhole. You can be sucked in and killed. It's not a waterpark." But I did have to take a peek inside during low tide. Check out some videos on youtube.com
Our drive around North Shore
Our "Road to Hana" trip. A must-do in Maui!
52 miles
617 hairpin turns
... and 56 one-lane bridges
The Road to Hana: It's not about the destination but the journey!
Our hike to Twin Falls
The falls are a little sparse this time of year
look at those crazy roots
Waikamoi Nature Trail
I would love a banana tree in my back yard
Keopuka Rock: Shown in the opening scene of Jurassic Park
Puohokamoa Falls and Pools
Rainbow Eucalyptus. What a beautiful tree! And although the initials could potentially be ours...they are not. We respected the trees :)
A picnic in the Garden of Eden. They really do call it that and it truly is beautiful!
The Bamboo Forest in the Garden of Eden. Sounds enchanting :)
The only building that survived the 1946 tsunami on the Keanae Penisula. This church is known as Ihi’ihio Iehowa o na Kaua in the Hawaiian language.
Darren enjoying a cookie and some banana bread
Black Sand Beach
We made a vow and then threw it into the ocean. Romantic? Yes. Cheesy? Probably :)
lava cave at Black Sand Beach
one of the many waterfalls on the way to Hana
another crazy Banyan Tree. These trees are so cool.
part of the Pipiwai Trail (above the Seven Sacred Pools of Oheo Gulch) on our way to Waimoku Falls in the Haleakala National Park
Since we started the hike a little later than we anticipated, and probably later than we should have, the 4 mile round trip hike left us in the dark. Our car was the last one in the parking lot when we got out. Oops!! But seriously...it gets crazy dark in the jungle. The last 1/4 to 1/2 mile we hiked out in the dark. Kinda scary. After this, it was a 3-4 hour drive back to the west coast.
And it wouldn't be paradise without some spectacular beach sunsets:
overlooking Lahaina Harbor on Front Street
A sunset sail with Trilogy Tours. This was our last activity of the day before flying home. What a great way to end our vacation.
GREAT FOOD!
Gazebo Restaurant
Banana and pineapple pancakes with coconut cream and syrup. YUM!! It was well worth the wait...twice! haha. :) Oh how I love vacations.
Ono Tacos
Shrimp tacos. Another YUM!
mock chicken salad and smoked gouda
Honu Seafood and Pizza
Mala Ocean Tavern
Other things we did:
paddle boarding at Napili Bay. The goal is to not fall off when the tsunami siren sounds. Yikes!! Yes this happened to me. I'm a long ways from shore (the current swept me out pretty quickly which was already a little scary) trying my best to stay atop the board when all of a sudden a tsunami siren sounds!! It is a very ominous sound by the way. Of course it freaked me out and I fell off. We didn't find out until the next day that it's routine. We just happened to be there the first Wednesday of the month. Just my luck.
and....
Warren and Annabelle's Magic Show. You don't normally go on an island vacation and think of going to a magic show but since it was voted the best show on Maui, we had to check it out. We are so glad we did. It was awesome!! If you ever go to Maui you have to check it out
Warren the Magician
He was hilarious!
the sitting room
Annabelle's piano (she is the house ghost)
And last but not least...
Banyan Tree Park in Lahaina
Crazy cool!
and...Front Street in Lahaina. A great place for dinner and/or shopping.
We had a fabulous vacation! Goodbye Maui...until next time!
