Maui Part II

We start our drive on the epic Hana Highway with an amazing stop: Mama's Fish House, considered the best restaurant on the island and I can attest to the fact that it is amazing! I even got a lei with dinner (insert jokes here) and a beautiful black pearl dessert.


After an amazing meal of fresh fish and nice night at the Inn, we actually got on the road. While we were in Maui we had a number of people tell us how terrible the drive was but they never really said why. Our theory was that they did the drive, a very windy 100 miles roundtrip, in one day and yes that would be kind of terrible. But we had loads of time to stop on the way. Our first stop was Na‘ili‘ili-haele (4 Waterfalls Hike)-can you tell this is the entrance to the hike?


The first waterfall was pretty easy to get to, just a short hike through an incredible bamboo forest. Then we started climbing, up ropes and make shift ladders to the other waterfalls and pools, even a bit of swimming to make it to the fourth pool! And the adventure begins!



Next stop was at the Garden of Eden Botanical Arboretum, sounds a little presumptuous right? Actually, no not really. This place was amazinginly beautiful! There were so many plants and trees that we had never seen before and they were so impressive. And at least most of the trees bearing fruit stated wheather they were edible or not, so Keith and I would know what not eat off the ground.



After we got to the end of the road in Hana and got to our amazing rental house (more about that later) we did a great little hike in the Haleakala National Park in the area known as Seven Sacred Pools, but not really the hike they want you to do.


This trail wasn't very well marked and after a bit of trespassing across a taro farm we found what we were looking for. I really have no idea of the name of the waterfall and pool where we ended up, but I do know we were only people there and had a blast!



These next pictures do absolutely no justice to the Venus Pools. After going to this pool, Keith started seriously talking about moving to Maui. The hike to this pool was a little hairy, but completely worth it. This beautiful brackish pool is both warm and cold and it is crystal clear. The roaring ocean pounding just outside the pool, and all the rugged scenery surrounding the area is absolutely breathtaking.



While in Hana we stated at the only place to stay, according to me! The Hamoa Bay House. If you can't find me, that's where I'll be! With a tree full of ripe star fruit in the front yard, an amazing view of the beach and just generally being a wonderfully relaxing place, I just want to go back!



One of the best things about our time in De Young Maui Estate was happy hour! Yes, we actually drank from coconuts and it was delicious!


We're back to reality now and all I can hope is that this suntan can keep me warm all winter long!

Maui: In two parts

Let's start with the posh bit, shall we? Because really is there any other way to describe the Ritz-Carton Kapalua? I'd say no!

With amenities that include a golf cart ride down to the beach instead of walking 2 minutes (no I never did that!) and somehow almost all the staff knows your name (I came here to get away from everyone knowing me!), you know you're some where fancy.

What to do at a fancy resort? While Keith was spending his mornings getting updated on fun things like gastroenterology, infectious diseases I had very hard decisions to make-beach or pool or beach. We had two options for beaches. The D.T. Fleming beach was part of the resort but still open to the public and one would think it would be a little crowded, but NO! Until about 10am I had that beach almost all to myself!

But because we are in Maui, I did have a slightly better choice: the Oneloa Bay beach. It was almost exactly the same distance walk from the resort AND on a very popular walking route and somehow no one and I mean no one! is on this beach! Loved it! Oh and another perk of sitting on the beach all day in Maui-you can whale watch from the beach. Just sit there and look out and you'll see humpback whales jumping out the water. It was amazing.

And of course there's the pools at the resort that were surprisingly quiet even with kids running around...or maybe it was just that I had my ipod cranked up all the way ;-)

As a slight break from laying on the beach, one afternoon we went on a small adventure to the Olivine Pools-a series of tide pools that are deep enough to swim in but it's still a little freaky because a surf with massive waves that are crashing right behind you.



Let's go back to the whales! On our last day at the resort, before we took off to do some real (kind of) adventuring, we went on a whale watch with the Pacific Whale Foundation . We saw more whales than we saw when we went whale watching in Tonga, but in Tonga we got a lot closer! Still is was amazing to see multiple sets of mama and calf whales playing and jumping out of the water!


Now, lets get as far off the beaten path as we can, while still eating as much delicious food as possible!