Maui day 11

 Its Halloween and we are off to Lahaina where Halloween is called the Pacific Mardi Gras!

Since my buddy here is wearing a mask I'm okay sharing with you!

 A lot of this trip - beside the amazing scenery - has been about the food. LOVE IT!

 

 As this is about Maui - and not the people who went with us - I can't share most of my photos from Halloween - you will just have to take my word for it - we had a blast.  Instead I am sharing a couple of pieces of Art from the condo we stayed in.

Maui day 9

 today the four of us took off for the mountains.... destination Kula Lodge  What a view!  and the food was fantastic too!

 the outdoor patio was closed - they thought it a little chilly today.  Those of us from BC really can't agree with that!

 we decided to continue on up the mountain to the Maui Winery  What an amazing drive.  I can't believe we've never done this before. 

these massive plants were everywhere.  I couldn't stop taking photos of them.

Maui day 8

 our friends from back home are here!  Yay!  Off to Lahaina again.  This time it's lunch at Cheese Burger in Paradise.  And it really is Paradise

 I think they call this the west coast.  On the way to Lahaina. Fantastic view

 Sweetie was facinated by the shark teeth.  Of course he had to bring one home.

 this tooth is reported to be millions of years old.... really?

We had a great day!  This island is a myriad of landscapes all meshed together beautifully.

Maui day 7

 Along the road to Hana is Ho'okipa beach. This is a fantastic vantage point for viewing the people crazy enough to surf.  You can just see them ... little specks out there.

Not much parking available along the beach... and mostly taken by surfers.  Don't want to get in their way!

 These rugged rocks surround the famous black sand beach.  It's located on the famous road to Hana  - if you've never taken the drive it is so worth it.  Here's a brief description for you: 

Along Maui's rugged eastern coastline is the peaceful town of Hana, considered one of the last unspoiled Hawaiian frontiers. The legendary road to Hana is only 52 miles from Kahului, however the drive can take anywhere from two to four hours to complete since it's fraught with narrow one-lane bridges, hairpin turns and incredible island views.

The Hana Highway (HI-360) has 620 curves and 59 bridges. The road leads you through flourishing rain forests, flowing waterfalls, plunging pools and dramatic seascapes. 

 Rugged just doesn't do it justice.

 The black sand is really the finest smoothest black pebbles you've ever seen... and no... of course I didn't bring any home with me... 

Maui day 6

 Our adventures today took us to the Maui Tropical Plantation - the only working plantation left on the island. We took a tram ride around the 60 acre plantation with a wonderful guide come conductor, coconut peeler, comedian who named every plant and threw in tidbits of little known facts along the way. 

 As she explained the three eyes and demonstrated a amazing husking technique she told us about the dangers of coconut trees.  Who Knew!

 It took Lelani under 60 seconds to peel a coconut - not a world record but cool all the same.

 The plantation sits on the northern end of the island at the base of the mountains, and comes complete with a lagoon.

 Plumeria trees are the tropical trees famous for their lovely flowers used to make leis.

 Between the Country store and the plantation fields are some pretty astounding plants.

 If I was at all paying attention I would say these are the coffee plants.

 

 Nothing says tropical to me like the bird of paradise plant

except maybe seeing a pineapple growing two feet from the ground!

After sunset is almost as beautiful as during...

Maui, day 5

 Sweetie and I made a deal... one day driving... one day at the pool... so far that hasn't happened.  Who in their right mind could miss this for a pool?   We are deep in the heart of Iao Valley State Park - the vegetation is luscious.  

A snippet of a history lesson if you will indulge me: 

" Aside from its natural tropical beautiful, sacred Iao Valley has great historical significance. It was here in 1790 at the Battle of Kepaniwai that King Kamehameha I clashed with Maui's army in his quest to unite the islands. Even with Iao Needle serving as a lookout point, Kamehameha defeated Maui's forces in a ferocious battle that ultimately changed the course of Hawaiian history."

 standing at the bottom of this peak it's very difficult to imagine warriors scaling it to use as a lookout.

I often imagined gardening in Hawaii as ideal... however... I am getting a sense it would be more like beating back the ferocious beast of growth these plants all contain.

sunset from Hookipa Park lookout.  amazing surf beach