Ohhh! I'm delinquent writing about Maui. The beautiful tropical island with gorgeous white sand beaches.
Being near the Big Island of Hawaii with its active volcano means Maui occasionally gets vog (occasionally all the islands do) in which case head for the hills. The higher the elevation the better as vog/smog tends to settle in lower elevations like my newly beloved Kihei.
Areas recommended that are higher up and less likely to experience vog include:
Kula - I was told there are cottages there.
Pukalani
Makawao - I was told air is moist here.
Ulupalakua Ranch and Winery where I was told the air is sweet and clear.
But if you have asthma and vog rolls in, and you're not able to roll out, stay indoors and recirculate a/c air. Take it easy. Have your meds handy. In my three week stay in Hawaii, I happened to experience vog one day in Kihei, an area that tends to get more air pollution than other areas due to its proximity to the Big Island, low elevation, and proximity to a sugar cane plant active about 7 months out of the year.
Things I loved to do in Maui included:
- Playing sun-goddess. True. I even learned to lay on the beach as if I
had nothing to do. (never!) Here. I will stand and pose. Photo taken with iPhone. :)
- Staying at The Day's Inn in Kihei. Okay now you know my not so secret get-away on the amazing Keawekapu Beach voted most romantic Hawaiian beach by the travel magazine Conde Nast. And the beach had it's very own cove!
- Walking the beach. Taking photos at the beach. Going back from the beach to the hotel in order to weight-lift. (Those are strong arms. Anyone who reads this blog knows, it is my firm belief that a woman's duty if nothing else includes maintaining toned arms.)
- Eat. The best restaurants are on Maui. I have a real thing for sushi long after the last bite in Maui is over.
- Let me tell you about Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar, the best food, pricey yes, but worth it. Call ahead and learn about nights they offer half priced specials. In Kihea (808) 879-0004.
- Then there was Maui Vietnamese Restaurant at 1280 S. Kihea Rd. (808) 875-2088 It's an unassuming family owned restaurant in a Kihei shopping mall, but don't let its simple facade fool you. The food and service is top-notch and a vegan's paradise.
- I loved, if you can love anything in crowded touristy Lahaina, I loved Betty's Beach Cafe at 505 Front Street (808) 662-0300 where I went on two separate evenings, each time ordering YUMMY fish tacos. But the real secret to Betty's is you overlook (Shh! don't tell) an elaborate Luah, which other than the drink and taco, you didn't really pay for. Around 5:30 p.m. Lucky, we were. Timing.
- For fancy eating--I can't believe I maintained my figure on this trip!--I
went to The Plantation House at the Kapalua Resort. Fine dining and views at their Hawaiian best. I particularly enjoyed the sushi appetizers and ocean views. (808) 669-6299 I brought my friend farmer Rick, seen in a rare moment when he wasn't in mid-sentence explaining tractors, four-wheel drives, and the commodity rates for lentils on the world market. The Plantation House is located near the The Ritz Carlton and since we arrived early, we took a drive, prompting the opening of this video.
- Being that I hung out with a farmer in Maui, how fitting to go to the Maui Tropical Plantation, where I took awesome video not realizing the tour guide was shy and didn't want me showing her coconut demonstration. Did you know more people in Hawaii are killed from falling coconuts than sharks? Go on the tour, stay for lunch, and you'll learn much more about the fruits and tropical flowers that make up Maui. (800) 451-6805. Highly recommend.
- The Atlantis Submarine. What can I say? My dancing pal Al told me it was the highlight of his entire Hawaii adventure. I can't tell you the same but it appeared most everyone loved the journey but me, which I documented with my claustrophobia in this video. Naturally, farmer Rick loved the submarine. Prior to Hawaii, I think he'd only ventured to the toilet in order to see.. no just kidding, he saw water at his lake, too. But a submarine beyond Disneyland! This was the real deal.
- The drive to Hana. Okay, I didn't finish the drive like my mom said I should'a, could'a. Little girl. I should have planned better. And reserved a hotel in Hana and spent the night, and explored the lava tubes and black sand beaches the next day. I should'a. Could'a. Is what mom said but this is what I did.
I loved Maui, and hope to return one day real soon. Now if that volcano would just chill out, that day may come sooner than later.
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