usvi-on-line
Maui Wowie- the TR!
-
SOonthebeach
- Posts: 1707
- Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2010 10:01 am
- Location: Texas
Maui Wowie- the TR!
OK so I kept the title- I like it! Apologies- this is looooooooong because of so many pictures!
We went to Maui for the second time Nov 8-13th for my, gulp, 40th birthday. The first trip here several years ago, I was 9 months pregnant and we were towing a 3 year old. So no comparisons to this "mom and dad only" trip. In a word: AWESOME. We love this place. It's wayyyy different from St. John- so it was hard to compare. More developed, much bigger, some different topography and climate. They are both amazing in their own way.
I am a picture freak so this is heavy on pics. First a low-down on what we did. This was an active trip. We surfed (for the first time), went on a zipline, learned stand up paddle boarding, and made it all the way PAST Hana. And, oh, yes, spent a little time eating great food, and sipping cocktails by the pool overlooking a glorious sunset. Perfection.
I cannot recommend highly enough the three companies we used for our "adventures". Goofy Foot Surf School in Lahaina is fantastic! Our instructor was "Armadillo" and he was awesome. Really patient, very knowledgeable, and not bad to look at
. Kapalua Adventures had the COOLEST zipline course ever. Really great guides, safe, amazing views, and a ton of fun. Maria Souza SUPS (stand up paddle school) in Kihei is fantastic. Really personal, custom lesson. She's awesome- a real pro. We had a great experience with everyone.
We used the book 'Maui Revealed" recommended here on the forum. Awesome book and great advice!!! It helped us find the best sights on the Road to Hana, and gave accurate recommendation on restaurants and activities. Love it! Will use their books on the other islands when we go to visit them (which we will).
I took almost 600 pictures in 5 days. I couldn't stop. I tried to cull it down for this report. Tried! Hope this gives you a sense of the place. Everything we saw was unbelievably beautiful.
We decided to spoil ourselves and stay at the Four Seasons Wailea- we have stayed there before and were not disappointed, again. A gorgeous resort with great service, fantastic pool and beach and great restaurants. I could never get tired of this view:
And the cocktails:
And the food (this was our dinner the first night at Ferraro's- overlooking sunset)- great!
The rooms are beautiful, and the bathrooms are HUGE!!!!
Great golf nearby- hubby golfed while I hung out at the spa... ahhhhhhhh:
We didn't find the "serenity" pool until the last day- darn!
The sunset views from Wailea are absolutely amazing. I probably have 100 pictures of the sunset on different days. Here are a few:
The beach at Wailea is really nice too. Really soft sand, although browner than STJ beaches:
Day 1- surfing with Goofy Foot and wandering Lahaina. We had lunch at Aloha Mixed Plate in Lahaina- great local food and cocktails!
These cute little birds were all around- loved it when we tossed them some snacks:
Lahaina:
Day 2: Hana! Wow. The sights along the road are amazing, but we also detoured to several amazing parks, beaches and viewpoints pointed out by Maui Revealed, including Nahiku Road, Wai'anpanapa Park & Caves, a small pocket red sand beach, Lindbergs Grave at Kipahulu, and Ohe'o Gulch. We kept the top off of the jeep, loaded up a cooler of snacks and drinks, and only got soaked a few times
The waterfalls were beautiful at this time of year.
Who wants this house? ME!
I took a video from Wai'anapanapa Park, but it doesn't seem to show up here- click this and I think it will get you there
We made it to Hana in about 4 hours with LOTS of stops and side trips, and made it back in 2.5 hours with 1 stop. At the end of an incredible drive, we stopped at Ho'okipa Beach Park to change clothes (amazing surfing, kiteboarding, and windsurfing views here):
Then we headed to dinner at Mama's Fish House. Pretty expensive- but well worth it!
Day 3: zip line! We drove over to Kapalua for a 4 hour adventure, including lunch. The was SO fun! We did, I think, 4-5 zips including one over 2,000 feet. I took a video of that- again, it does not show up below but if you click the picture below it should take you there. My camera was set weird- my husband is really not black & white! Funny looking, but the colors do not come out as vibrant as they were. What a ride! Sorry for the screaming
Some pictures of the suspension bridge,hiking, and giant swing we rode:
Day #4- EARLY morning SUP lesson with Maria Souza- fantastic! Then, after a pretty active week, we vegged by the pool.
with more of these:
Our last morning was spent on the golf course (hubby) and spa (me). After one last lunch by the pool, we packed up and headed out for our overnight flight home. BUMMER! What an amazing trip, and a fantastic island. The people were so warm and welcoming, and the scenery was unbelievable. A few parting shots of the "flora and fauna".
Aloha, Maui, mahalo! We will be back!
If someone can give me a hint on how to post videos I would love it!! Thanks for reading....
We went to Maui for the second time Nov 8-13th for my, gulp, 40th birthday. The first trip here several years ago, I was 9 months pregnant and we were towing a 3 year old. So no comparisons to this "mom and dad only" trip. In a word: AWESOME. We love this place. It's wayyyy different from St. John- so it was hard to compare. More developed, much bigger, some different topography and climate. They are both amazing in their own way.
I am a picture freak so this is heavy on pics. First a low-down on what we did. This was an active trip. We surfed (for the first time), went on a zipline, learned stand up paddle boarding, and made it all the way PAST Hana. And, oh, yes, spent a little time eating great food, and sipping cocktails by the pool overlooking a glorious sunset. Perfection.
I cannot recommend highly enough the three companies we used for our "adventures". Goofy Foot Surf School in Lahaina is fantastic! Our instructor was "Armadillo" and he was awesome. Really patient, very knowledgeable, and not bad to look at
. Kapalua Adventures had the COOLEST zipline course ever. Really great guides, safe, amazing views, and a ton of fun. Maria Souza SUPS (stand up paddle school) in Kihei is fantastic. Really personal, custom lesson. She's awesome- a real pro. We had a great experience with everyone.We used the book 'Maui Revealed" recommended here on the forum. Awesome book and great advice!!! It helped us find the best sights on the Road to Hana, and gave accurate recommendation on restaurants and activities. Love it! Will use their books on the other islands when we go to visit them (which we will).
I took almost 600 pictures in 5 days. I couldn't stop. I tried to cull it down for this report. Tried! Hope this gives you a sense of the place. Everything we saw was unbelievably beautiful.
We decided to spoil ourselves and stay at the Four Seasons Wailea- we have stayed there before and were not disappointed, again. A gorgeous resort with great service, fantastic pool and beach and great restaurants. I could never get tired of this view:
And the cocktails:
And the food (this was our dinner the first night at Ferraro's- overlooking sunset)- great!
The rooms are beautiful, and the bathrooms are HUGE!!!!
Great golf nearby- hubby golfed while I hung out at the spa... ahhhhhhhh:
We didn't find the "serenity" pool until the last day- darn!
The sunset views from Wailea are absolutely amazing. I probably have 100 pictures of the sunset on different days. Here are a few:
The beach at Wailea is really nice too. Really soft sand, although browner than STJ beaches:
Day 1- surfing with Goofy Foot and wandering Lahaina. We had lunch at Aloha Mixed Plate in Lahaina- great local food and cocktails!
These cute little birds were all around- loved it when we tossed them some snacks:
Lahaina:
Day 2: Hana! Wow. The sights along the road are amazing, but we also detoured to several amazing parks, beaches and viewpoints pointed out by Maui Revealed, including Nahiku Road, Wai'anpanapa Park & Caves, a small pocket red sand beach, Lindbergs Grave at Kipahulu, and Ohe'o Gulch. We kept the top off of the jeep, loaded up a cooler of snacks and drinks, and only got soaked a few times
The waterfalls were beautiful at this time of year.Who wants this house? ME!
I took a video from Wai'anapanapa Park, but it doesn't seem to show up here- click this and I think it will get you there
We made it to Hana in about 4 hours with LOTS of stops and side trips, and made it back in 2.5 hours with 1 stop. At the end of an incredible drive, we stopped at Ho'okipa Beach Park to change clothes (amazing surfing, kiteboarding, and windsurfing views here):
Then we headed to dinner at Mama's Fish House. Pretty expensive- but well worth it!
Day 3: zip line! We drove over to Kapalua for a 4 hour adventure, including lunch. The was SO fun! We did, I think, 4-5 zips including one over 2,000 feet. I took a video of that- again, it does not show up below but if you click the picture below it should take you there. My camera was set weird- my husband is really not black & white! Funny looking, but the colors do not come out as vibrant as they were. What a ride! Sorry for the screaming
Some pictures of the suspension bridge,hiking, and giant swing we rode:
Day #4- EARLY morning SUP lesson with Maria Souza- fantastic! Then, after a pretty active week, we vegged by the pool.
with more of these:
Our last morning was spent on the golf course (hubby) and spa (me). After one last lunch by the pool, we packed up and headed out for our overnight flight home. BUMMER! What an amazing trip, and a fantastic island. The people were so warm and welcoming, and the scenery was unbelievable. A few parting shots of the "flora and fauna".
Aloha, Maui, mahalo! We will be back!
If someone can give me a hint on how to post videos I would love it!! Thanks for reading....
Post Subject
I love this TR! The pics are gorgeous and it sounds like you guys did lots of cool stuff. I always enjoy food and drink porn, too 
Friends, they go away then they re-appear...I believe there is Magic here.
-
chicagoans
- Posts: 1586
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:51 pm
- Location: IL
-
dtenel
- Posts: 158
- Joined: Fri May 15, 2009 8:37 am
- Location: My feet are in Michigan....My heart is in St. Thomas
Ok, your pictures did me in. We have been discussing a trip to Hawaii next year and I wasn't on board...until now! BEAUTIFUL pictures:) Can't wait to tell the husband and family that I am in for Hawaii! I have never been and they are talking about going end of September 2011. Is that a good time of year to go weather wise there? It is a free trip (minus spending $$) because MIL is renting the villa for us and paying for the airfare...so I guess I will go whenever You just taotally changed my mind...thanks....and I am glad you had such a great vacation 
You just taotally changed my mind...thanks....and I am glad you had such a great vacation 
-
Jo Ann - VA
- Posts: 756
- Joined: Sat Nov 11, 2006 11:56 am
- Location: Virginia
-
SOonthebeach
- Posts: 1707
- Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2010 10:01 am
- Location: Texas
Thanks all for the kind comments! Happy I could help sway opinions or encourage trips to Maui or other Hawaiian islands. I can't speak for the other islands (yet) but if you go to Maui I PROMISE you will not be disappointed- and this coming from a committed St. Johnaholic (and one who has been to other islands that I do not like). If you can do it, go!