We were all up between 6:30 and 7am this morning on our last day in Paradise.

It was sunny again and we finished off some leftovers for breakfast before gathering up our swimsuits and snorkel gear, and heading out. Today we headed down to Maluaka Beach, and to the rock and coral reef known as Turtle Town. The beach itself is another impossibly soft expanse, and sparsely populated when we arrived shortly after 8am. Still, despite the early start, the trade winds had already begun to make waves. Continue reading →

We got up again around 7am – the tropical mornings are just as wonderful every day. We had a leisurely breakfast in our room again as we gathered towels and swimsuits, cameras and sandals and eventually piled into the car for another day trip.

We drove first up through Paia again, but stopped this time just beyond town at Ho’okipa Beach where we were treated to some pro surfing. The breaks were pretty big today and there were many people out in the water, and while the waves weren’t the colossal curls that occasion the waters of nearby Jaws, the skills and enthusiasm of the surfers here was nevertheless on display. There’s plenty of room at the lookout here to watch the long rides and the wipeouts, and we hung around for a good half hour admiring everyone’s chops. Continue reading →

Today we woke up to another sunny morning, just after 7am, and prepared for a road trip to Haleakalā Nation Park, and the highest point on the island of Maui. We had breakfast in our room, grabbed some jackets, and after a quick stop to get gas we were on our way.

The trip to Haleakalā is pretty straightforward 45 minute drive and easy to manage, but once you begin the ascent up the mountain, things get a bit more interesting. Before you even get to the national park, you climb up the side of Haleakalā for nearly 7000 feet via a series of switchbacks and winding road. The view of the west side of the island is quite spectacular, with the West Maui Mountains rising with you and the ocean spreading out in all its varying blues. Once you get inside the park, however, all the guard rails disappear (!) and you scale the remaining 3000+ feet trying not to look down the mountainside. Continue reading →

Although I was feeling quite a bit better today, we nonetheless opted for something fairly local and low-key – a trip to Lahaina!

We got up around 8 and started in on the groceries we’d purchased yesterday for breakfast. After rounding up our hats, sunscreen and tourist amenities, we headed out to our car and mapped out our route.

The day was another sunny one and we had a nice drive along the seaside. Just as we got to Maalaea we passed the Maui Ocean Centre, which our travel guide had recommended, so we found then first available lookout to turn around and head back. Continue reading →

We had intended to do one of our big day trips today, but were reconsidering this morning after a rough night for me. We had breakfast in our room, and Mimi started in on the pineapple from Mana Foods. The water in our room, however, had a distinct but not pleasant taste, and so we decided to get some more drinks from Whalers’. We got in the car and headed to the store, picked up a few things and were on our way back when we suddenly had to stop beside the road until I felt better.

When we got back to the room we reassessed our day, and I missed most of the rest of it. Continue reading →

With a three-hour time difference, it was no surprise to find ourselves up early on our first day. We were serenaded by an ensemble of tropical birds, and the colours outside our window let us know we had arrived in paradise.

First order of business? Caffeinate! Sharon and I let the kids continue to sleep and set off down the S. Kihei Road to see what’s in the area. We found S&Q’s Coffee and Shave Ice Shack where we were able to top up. We drove the rest of Kihei’s main commercial area and noted things to try later, and marvelled at the never-ending beach running parallel to the road. Continue reading →

So this is the “How we got to Maui” post that catalogs our trip, which went well and (happily!) wasn’t very exciting. Unless you’re making notes, you could probably skip this one.

We were all up pretty early today, doing last minute packing and tidying up for our house-sitters. Mimi walked Molly  -who really wanted to come! At one point she camped out on a packed suitcase, later she escaped the house and stood waiting at the car with a toy in her mouth). Sharon and Robin grabbed cappuccinos from Township. Robin made some directions for how to work the four different tv remotes. Etc.

Continue reading →

Here we go!

Okay – fill up those comments with your suggestions for things to do in Maui – we’ll be staying in Kihei with a rental car, and although the weather forecast doesn’t look fantastic, we’re ready to have a great time!

Been to Maui? Let us know what’s great, can’t miss, best experiences, etc. and hopefully we’ll be able to do the same for you!

Getting the maths done before vacation in #yvr – now boarding for paradise!