We are back from Maui. Trying to navigate our re-entry into real life and taking care of the stuff that builds up when you are on vacation. This week is ending up a bit busier than I had anticipated, but that's just life for you, right? It can't be lounge chairs, massages, and lava flow drinks every day of the week now can it. :)
We felt pretty spoiled that we have been to Hawaii two years in a row. That is not our usual routine, things just happened that way. Last year we went to Kauai. And while it was a great, relaxing vacation and something new & different to explore . . . . we couldn't help but miss our home in Maui.
When we pulled up to the hotel entrance at 12:15am (2:15am body time) we both let out a happy sigh. We were home.
Why do we love this place so?
For so many reasons - the sights, the smells, the food, the breeze, the sunshine. As soon as we step on this island our pace slows, the aches in my back & shoulders melt away, we breathe easier, our minds are calm . . . . It is pretty much heaven on earth.
Here are just a few of the things we look forward to each time we return.
We have a few restaurants that are our favorite -- Hula Grill is one of them. Delicious, fresh food and a good sunset view from Ka'anapali Beach. We made reservations here our first night on the island.
Then the sunset begins
After our meal we always walk on the beach. This is the Sheraton resort at Black Rock -- we stayed here on our first trip to Maui in 2006.
It is so quiet and peaceful with the lapping of the waves on the shore and the colors (golds, oranges, rich grey-purple-blues) are just magical.
One of our favorite parts of vacation is eating out and we love trying out new places while sticking to a few tried & trues. I try to order a different kind of fish each night -- Mahi Mahi, Ahi, snapper, mongchong, scallops, etc. I figure this is the best place to eat seafood -- it's fresh and they know how to cook it!
There are lots of great dining options in Lahaina Harbor too. When we make early dinner reservations we are guaranteed to get tables like this.
So we can enjoy sunsets like this
and devour crab cakes like this
On our Maui trips we like to plan 2-3 activities for the week, but for the most part we plant ourselves at the pool or beach for the day and just relax. And read. And order virgin Lava Flows from the poolside bar.
One day we rented a beach cabana on Ka'anapali Beach by Black Rock and spent the entire day there. Reading, watching the huge waves, the snorkelers, and people jumping off the rock . . .
And after they put away the cabanas at 5pm, we sat in the sand and watched the torch lighting ceremony and sunset hand in hand.
Sometimes we'll claim our spot by the pool at 9am, enjoy the whole day, and when everyone else gives up because of the wind we are still there, wrapped up in pool towels to watch the sunset.
We love our resort.
We love the manicured grounds, the beautiful & equipped rooms (kitchens & laundry), the amenities & services, and the beach that is just steps away.
But the thing we love best about our Maui vacations is just being together. Time to re-connect, re-charge, relax, and make memories together. It's pretty darn great.
(sunset on Napili Bay)
