Maui's Magical Moments

“I went to Maui to stay a week and remained five. I never spent so pleasant a month before, or bade any place goodbye so regretfully. I have not once thought of business, or care or human toil or trouble or sorrow or weariness, and the memory of it will remain with me always.”  ~Mark Twain

Oh, how I wish I could have added four weeks to my week-long vacation in Maui last summer! Mark Twain wrote that in 1866, and nearly 150 years later, every word rings true.  My sister Maggie is ten years younger than I am, and we were lucky to spend a full week exploring every corner of Maui that we could--from the stunning views and scenery to meals where we were stuffed like turkeys and loved every minute of it.

My favorite moments from this island of a million magazine-cover worthy scenes happened every day and often. Sometimes, I had to put the camera down so I could be fully present and not think about which photo to tweet or Facebook.  And a good time to reflect on a Hawaii vacation is the middle of January, when our weather in New York is fluctuating from biting cold to springtime sunshine daily.

I couldn't stop taking pictures on the Road to Hana.  Don't listen to anyone who tells you otherwise-the Road to Hana is a national treasure, and my favorite spot on Maui just might be the Black Sand Beach. 

The Road to Hana: Twists and Turns and views like this

The Black Sand Beach-my favorite spot in MauiPlan on dragging yourself out of bed at 2 a.m. on one of your Maui days (and catch up on sleep at the beach later).  You absolutely have to see the sunrise on Haleakala and it requires an early wake-up call to drive the two hours to the top.  I recommend bike riding down with 360 degree views of Maui on the way down. We stopped and stared at this rainbow for a good five minutes.

On another planet: Watching the sunrise on Haleakala, an active volcano

A full rainbow welcoming us to the day as we bike ride down HaleakalaAlthough I was in Maui last August, I still compare every piece of bread I've had since to the one I had at Spago.  The Maui Onion Foccacia Bread is divine bites of sweet caramelized Kula onions enveloped in warm, chewy bread. Sigh.

The best bread I've ever eaten: Maui Onion Foccacia Bread at SpagoThis will forever be one of my favorite photos of my sister, enjoying the view

Possibly the most beautiful infinity pool in the worldThe perfect Hawaiian beach=Wailea

This is what you dream about when you think of HawaiiI loved spending a good part of each day in the warm Maui waters.  While scuba diving with Maui Undersea Adventures, we met lots of new friends like this guy.

If it's your first time on Maui, like it was for us, the Old Lahaina Luau is a fun way to spend an early evening, followed by wandering Lahaina's main street.  While we started one day with sunrise on Haleakala, we ended it with this sunset at the luau. Classic, perfect Maui.

This post was sponsored by The Hawaiian Islands, featuring the Island of Maui, one of six distinctive islands you can explore. Continue your journey at Living in the moment on the Island of Maui.

The Huffington Post: Hitting Maui's Power Chords

Read more on The Huffington Post about my favorite parts about Maui. 

"Everyone has a story about Hawaii, if you start talking travel. Someone got engaged there, someone went to a wedding there, someone grew up going to their family's condo.

But despite my traveling 200-plus days a year, I had never been until last week, when I explored Maui's greatest hits. Since I was going for the first time, I wanted classic Hawaii: bright leis, ukelele music, fruity cocktails, sunsets, beaches, and luaus. I wanted to know why Maui is continually voted one of the best islands in the world."

Read more here

All Good Things...Paddleboarding, Serenity Pool, Mama's Fish House & Good-bye to Maui

All good things must come to an end, including Hawaiian adventures.  But our flights were booked for 9 p.m., so we still had a full day to soak it in.  What's up with the Kahului airport by the way? One of my least favorites. But when you arrive there, you're in paradise, so I'll give it a pass.

The turtle I saw while PaddleboardingMoving on. I had a stand-up paddleboarding lesson scheduled with the wonderful Rob (who took us scuba-diving in this post) from Maui Undersea Adventures, on-site at the Four Seasons.  The water was choppy so not ideal for a beginner, but by the end, I totally understood why Giada de Laurentiis, Jennifer Garner and Jennifer Aniston are obsessed.
I *only* fell three times during our lesson, which felt pretty good to me.  When I thought I was going to fall, I would get nervous, lose my balance and fall.  But when I was calm, looked at the horizon and thought "You're not going to fall, just catch your balance," I stayed up. And Rob said he has heard a 1/2 hour of paddleboarding is like doing 1.5 hours of Pilates.  A good workout no matter what!  We saw three turtles along the way.

Brunch BuffetThe DUO brunch buffet is one to be savored-made-to order omelettes, pancakes & waffles, fresh fruit, croissants, muffins, granola, yogurt, eggs, Asian-inspired rice, and even a gluten-free selection.  Like all food at the resort, it spoiled us for what we have to eat when we leave.

Tables at BrunchBrunch MenuI have never been convinced of the value of a cabana until I tried a cabana at The Serenity Pool.  I still miss my cabana boy.  Fresh fruit, champagne, a flat-screen TV, doors to shut the world out and front-row seats to a magazine-cover (Conde Nast Traveler, June 2011) view.  It's adults-only, which is a nice change of pace from the many families at the main pool.  The Serenity Pool is the latest water addition at the resort and it filled a big need for a place for adults to escape to.

The Serenity PoolIn the Cabana

The Best View from the Serenity PoolCabana View

The worst part for me is always checking out.  You have to prepare yourself to leave what I call the Great Hotel Cocoon.  But I always plan to return, especially to a place like the Four Seasons in Maui.

Mama's Fish House
Our last dinner was at the famous Mama's Fish House just outside of Paia town, worth every bit of praise it's given.  Fish is caught twice a day and that's what's served.  Mine was Ono "caught by Alan Cadiz near the towering cliffs of Molokai," served with caramlized Maui onions, avocado and jasmine rice.  You have to get a table facing the ocean for sunset views.  Mama's is not to be missed.

Mama's Fish HouseThe Beach at Mama's Fish House

Fresh Off the BoatViewWe toasted to Maui and headed off to Kahului where we were in chaotic airport reality again.

Aloha!

Unforgettable Haleakala Sunrise & Old Lahaina Luau: Day 5 in Maui

I had a incredibly relaxing Labor Day weekend in New York City.  Because the weekend was sandwiched between two big trips, we decided to stay in the city and enjoy the first hints of fall, always-wonderful NYC restaurants and long walks and bike rides. I did labor a bit but I love what I do so it didn't feel like work!

The good news about Day 5 in Maui: We experienced natural beauty that I've never seen before, that can't be described in pictures or words, in a sunrise and 28-mile bike ride down the Haleakala volcano.

Sunrise at HaleakalaThe bad news: our alarm went off at 1:45 a.m. on Day 5.  Thus ensued puffy eyes, scratchy contacts, grumbling about getting out of bed, and no talking.  Four Seasons sets up a spread of banana bread and make-your-own coffee, cappuccinos and espressos at 2:00 a.m. so it made it a lot easier!  Mountain Riders picked us up promptly at 2:15 a.m. and we went to their office to pick up the rest of the group and watch Miss Hawaii 1999 talk about best safety practices on a video. We picked out helmets and bright yellow windbreakers and pants and headed to the summit of Haleakala. 

Here's the best tip I can give you: DRESS WARMLY and in LAYERS. I was told these things so I put on three layers.  But I was so cold that I wished I had my winter coat, bomber hat, a sweater, two scarves, and a hot potato for my hands.  Everyone shuffles around on the summit in a variety of colored windbreaking pantsuits and shivering as they wait for the sunrise. 

You're above the cloud line on Haleakala and so the sunrise feels like you are on another planet.  The moon is so close you want to reach out and touch it, which slowly turns to the sun rising.  I became quite philosophical and lines like "darkness always turns to light" ran through my very cold head.

The experience is something I'd fly to Maui for a day to do again.  It is just that beautiful.  And there is no  ride like the Haleakala bike ride in the world.  You are cruising down, barely exerting any effort so I felt like I was a kid again, gulping in the air, the smells and the views.  We stopped in Kula (famous for Maui onions) for a no-host snack, which was fun but I wish we had stayed for 20 minutes rather than over an hour.

Biking Down HaleakalaStopping in Kula for a snack

I loved the experience and would do it again in a heartbeat.  However, next time I will do it without a group.  I found myself wanting to just cruise down the mountain but as a group, you cater to the lowest common denominator, or the slowest one.  As we continued down, I felt the anger grow in our group of just wanting to go down without constantly braking. Despite this, I will never forget the sunrise and the bike ride and plan on doing both again at least once in my lifetime.

Mountain Riders is the only company that ends the tour at Paia Beach, which was a great way to end it.

With my sister Maggie on the beachWe got back to the hotel at noon and took a nap before we had to leave for the Old Lahaina Luau at 5:00 p.m.  I ordered room service and sat out on the balcony, soaking in the view.  Hurricane Irene news was swirling back home in NYC so I caught up on the evacuations and rushes to buy canned goods as I ate my lobster salad.  Yes, I knew how lucky I was in that moment!

Old Lahaina LuauI am so glad we went to the Old Lahaina Luau.  It was 45 minutes from the Four Seasons, on a highway that has better views than Highway 1 in California, and Lahaina itself has great shops and restaurants.  The luau brings everyone together who came to Hawaii for different reasons.  We met tons of honeymooners, families that return to Hawaii every year and couples celebrating big anniversaries (25, 40 and 50 years together).

SunsetI loved closing the day with a Lahaina sunset when we started it with a Haleakala sunrise. As the sun begins to set, you're greeting with an "Aloha" and an explanation by your server, followed by wandering around and discovering traditional crafts and history.  Everything is included, including alcoholic drinks like the sweet Honey Girl.  Your best family photos might come from the luau, with the perfect backdrop and lighting.

Don't miss the unveiling of the KALUA PIG, as it's unearthed from the Imu, or Hawaiian underground oven.  Get there 20 minutes before they unveil for a good view.

The hula show starts with a little Polynesian flair, moving on to the ancient Hawaiian hula and ending with more modern hula dances. 

The luau runs from 5:45-8:45 in the summer, perfect for us to get back to the Four Seasons and enjoy our last night in the lobby bar (with more than a few celebs enjoying it with us!).

In Love With The Road to Hana & The Black Sand Beach: Day 4 in Maui

Leading up to my trip, it was funny how divided people were on the Road to Hana. It ranged from "It was my favorite thing ever!" to "I liked it...I just wish I had a helicopter to take me back after I got to Hana" to "Ummm....yeah I'd skip that." No matter what, it was something I was really looking forward to so we chatted with the concierge at the Four Seasons, got a map, and hit the road with a full tank of gas at 8 a.m.

The Road to HanaI absolutely loved it.  There are over 600 hairpin turns on the Road to Hana, and it's about 50 miles from Paia to Hana, though we went beyond Hana.  We decided to stop at a few sights on our way there and a few on the way back, so it took us 2 1/2 hours to get to Hana.  If you're a hiker, bring your gear and bug spray.  I wish we had brought bug spray even for getting in and out of the car.  We weren't going to be doing any of the hiking due to time constraints but still loved stopping for heart-stopping views at the Keanae Peninsula and Wailua Overlook.  It was fun to browse the Nahiki roadside boutiques (get the coconut candy!). 

Looking Down at the Black Sand BeachThe unforgettable moment for me was stopping at the black sand beach at Wainapanapa State Park.  I will dream of this beach.  It was absolutely perfect. It is actually mostly smooth, small lava pebbles so bring a good pair of beach sandals.  I felt so at peace and in the moment on this small beach.

Black Sand BeachI didn't see the danger factor that is often written about.  If you are a relatively safe driver, you will be fine. As in, you aren't into going 75 mph around hard turns.  I drove leisurely, made great time and was aware of my surroundings.  Easy!  Bring good music for the road and someone you like traveling with.  I can't count how many times we played Beyonce's "Best Thing I Never Had."  We cranked it up and gave it our best American Idol shot.

Travaasa HanaWe stopped in Hana at Oprah fave Travaasa Hana (formerly Hotel Hana Maui) to take a look. I'll be doing a separate post on it at some point but I loved it.  Lunch was at Hana Ranch Restaurant which was a huge mistake. One of the worst lunches ever!  Maggie got a pulled pork sandwich and more than half of it was pure fat.  So we shouldered on and ended up biking for smoothies at Laulima Farms, about 12 miles past Hana. 

Biking for SmoothiesI'm a history nut & loved stopping at Charles Lindbergh's grave, which is before Laulima Farms, about 11 miles from Hana. Turn at the Maui Stables sign--there is no other sign for it. He is buried in the graveyard of the Palapala Ho'omau church.  Lindbergh spent a lot of time at his home in Maui with his wife, Anne Morrow Lindbergh.  At the end of his life, he knew he only had days to live and so he left New York and returned to his home on the island.

Charles Lindbergh's GraveWhen I go back, I'll spend a night in Hana after driving the road.  Hana just feels different.  It's quiet and isolated in a wonderful way. I will also pick up a picnic lunch and eat it on the black sand beach.

After a long day of sightseeing, we had a comforting and delicious dinner at DUO restaurant back at the Four Seasons. DUO is where we had been eating the divine breakfast buffet each morning, but it transforms into a fabulous steak and seafood house at night.  There is a raw bar, with the freshest seafood you can imagine.  The crab cake appetizer was almost all fresh crab, the ahi tuna melted in my mouth and the skillet-roasted vegetables were crisp with a touch of salt and pepper.  We both loved the strawberry crumble and the pink cotton candy that comes with your check.  It was one of my favorite nights.  Thank you to Cecil for a wonderful chat about New York, Maui, food and for being so kind to us.

Crab CakeOne more photo from The Road to Hana-kisses with a new friend! Near the start of the road is a guy with a bunch of parrots on the side-you won't be able to miss him.  $20 buys you as many photo opps as you want for you and your traveling buddies.