Hi Everyone,
We spent our 1 year anniversary in Maui, Hawaii. For a pair of busy bodies, it was an interesting experience to lay out on the beach all day and read a book from start to finish. We had an amazing time and were even able to add in a couple of activities during our beach-bum vacation.
Here are our favorite places/things in Maui, Hawaii
1. Sheraton Maui. We got a great deal for a 9 night stay. We even had the chance to upgrade our room (don’t ever be afraid to ask). Our room overlooked the ocean, we spent a day just sitting on our patio drinking mai tais and people watching. The concierge was great there and we booked some of our activities through them. The bars and the pool is awesome too- if we were tired of the beach (because we were so sunburned) we chilled underneath the cabana. The Sheraton hosts one of the many traditions done on the island. At sunset, a cliff diver jumps off the cliff after he pays respect to the North, South, East, and West. It is absolutely captivating. We highly recommend getting a table early at The Cliff Dive bar and ordering a (or 5) white water cocktails. You can watch the whole ceremony from there. The spa was amazing as well- we recommend the couple’s massage. They also have their own luau on the property. We decided to eat dinner somewhere else but paid $20 dollars for unlimited alcohol at the luau.
2. Costco Travel. You will need a car if you want to explore the island. We checked out many rental car companies, and Costco Travel had the best deal. You pick the car up from the Airport.
3. Old Lahaina Luau. This is said to be the best luau on the island, and the reviews were right. We had such an amazing time watching the luau. The dancers were phenomenal and really took us on a journey of Hawaii’s history. You walk in and you are lai’d and you can immediately go to the open bar (costs about $100 dollars/person for unlimited food/drink/show). The luau overlooked the ocean and they had fun activities for families prior to the show. We spent the night drinking pina coladas. The luau has a shuttle that picks you up from your hotel. It is also located in downtown Lahaina, which is an amazing place filled with restaurants and shops.
http://www.oldlahainaluau.com/
4. Downtown Lahaina. Amazing shops, restaurants and bars.
5. Whaler’s Village. This outdoor mall was located close to our hotel. We (by “we” we mean Gabi) had a great time checking out the shops. Honolulu Cookie Company had a store there (best coconut cookies EVER).
http://www.whalersvillage.com/
6. Skyline Eco-Adventures. Yes, Paul convinced me to glide across a tiny rope. Scariest experience ever at first, but the staff that was leading us made us laugh all the way through the journey. The company was great and really took care of everything for us. If you want to go zip lining, this is the company to do it with.
7. Haleakala Sunrise Tour. You can’t get us to wake up at 1am for many things, but seeing the sunrise over a volcano is definitely one of the ways. They shuttle picked us up so early and we took a 2 hour drive to our meeting spot. There the company gave us windbreakers and backpacks. After we got our supplies, we drove up to the volcano and sat there (shivering from the cold) waiting for the sunrise. Let me tell you, the waking up early and the pain of the cold air was worth it as the sun rose. It was the most surreal and mesmerizing of our lives. We highly recommend you add this to your bucket list of things to do.
8. Mama’s Fish house. It took a while to get to Mama’s Fish House (which was on the other side of the island). Paul decided to take a “short cut” and took us on another way to get to the town where Mama’s was located. Needless to say, I hung on to dear life as Paul thought he was a race-car driver on non developed one lane roads through the villages and on the edge of the island. After an anxiety driven “short cut” (I suggest you follow the Google Maps directions for a much calmer ride), we arrived in Paia. Much to my surprise (and Paul’s despair), I discovered a Lululemon store there. After getting some cute clothes, we drove to Mama’s. All of our friends that have vacationed in Maui highly recommended this restaurant. We.were.not.disappointed. From the ambiance of the coconut grove to the swoon-worthy drinks and food, Mama’s was one of our most memorable moments of our vacation.
http://www.mamasfishhouse.com/
Safe Travels,
G + P
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