My appetite for travel pre-exists my appetite for good food. In fact, one was basically the byproduct of the other. As soon as Maui tickets were purchased I was making my list of “must eats” on Maui. I wanted to hit local favorites and some tourist traps, like every banana bread stand from Paia to Hana. Everything we ate was delicious and every place we visited was amazing. It was one of those trips that makes you realize how much you need to take vacations. Not only did I not check email the entire time, but my company was migrating our email server so I didn’t even see that tempting red icon tick upwards on my phone. Total relaxation. Here are my top 10, in no particular order.
1.) Breakfast at the Gazebo
The Gazebo is a small, secluded, out-of-the-way, poolside restaurant at the Napili Shores condos, The view is amazing, since this little gazebo is literally overlooking Napili Bay. The only problem with The Gazebo is that there is always a line waiting to get in — wrapping around the pool. Expect to wait outside for 20 to 45 minutes, ample time to get sunburned unless you score one of the on loan umbrellas. Insider tip: you can order to-go and eat your pancakes on the grass right above the beach.
2.) Sunrise over Haleakala
You might initially question the 3:00 a.m. wake up call to make the two-hour drive to the top of Haleakala, but when you see the sun rise above the clouds it’s all worth it. The predawn, ice-cold waiting game is what Mark Twain called “the sublimest spectacle” of his life. It was simply breathtaking.
3.) Road to Hana
It’s been a family joke that no one has ever made it all the way to Hana. Aunts, uncles, my parents…no one has gone the distance. I have no doubt Dave and I would have made it regardless but the sheer determination of being the first McNair to conquer that road kept pushing us along. The very windy 35+ mile road is lined with gorgeous greenery, blooming tropical flowers, too many waterfalls to count, and my personal favorite, banana bread stands around every corner. We also had a very coveted destination in sight: the Bamboo Forest on the Pipiwai Trail.
4.) Bamboo Forest
For me the most important spot to see in Maui was the bamboo forest. About 20 miles past Hana, you catch the Pipiwai Trail and start off on what I read was a short 10 minute walk to the forest. I was only expecting a couple hundred yards of bamboo at most, but the forest goes on for over half a mile and is unlike anything I have ever seen. When the wind blows the stalks clack together creating a musical wind chime sound swaying in the breeze. At the end of the bamboo forest, you run into a shallow stream that you cross to get to the 400 foot Waimoku Falls. This wasn’t just the most awe-inspiring sight I saw in Maui but one of the most memorable days in all of my travels.
5.) Mama’s Fish House
See Mama’s Fish House post for the full rundown.
6.) Fish Tacos at Coconut Fish Tacos
Each order, 2 tacos grilled with white corn tortillas, is made with 17 different ingredients including tomato, cheese, France’s coconut coleslaw and mango salsa. Voted best fish taco on Maui. Enough said.
7.) Sunsets in West Maui
We went a little out of control with the number of sunset pictures taken in those seven days. Each one seemed to be better than the last. The view from the lawn outside the Mana Kai was the perfect spot to drink a beer before heading out for the evening.
8.) Seaside Strolls
The Kihei Coastal Trail came highly recommended by my parents. You catch “the path” right outside the Mana Kai (where we were staying) and walk along the beach to the boat ramp where you catch a 1.5 mile paved path that curves along the coast in front of all the four star resorts. It is perfect for the overachiever vacation runners and flip flop wearing amblers alike. Luckily we had seven days to do both.
9.) Black Sand Beach and Lava Tubes
We hit the Wai’anapanapa State Park on our way home from the Bamboo Forest. One of the few black sand beaches in Maui and home to some very cool lava tubes (similar to a formation I saw in Morocco) this was another must-see on the Road to Hana. We didn’t stay long as we were exhausted, sticky and overheated from our hike, but the trip wouldn’t have been complete had we not stopped to snap some pics.
10.) Spa Grande at the Grand Wailea
My trip to Spa Grande was an amazing birthday surprise from Dave. I was gifted the standard massage but little did I know you arrive an hour early for a full body exfoliation followed by 45 minutes in the Terme Hydrotherapy Circuit, a heavenly mix of “water therapies featuring a Roman tub, saunas, cascading waterfalls, Swiss jet showers, a Japanese furo and five specialty oil baths.” No wonder it was voted “Top 10 Spas in the United States” by Condé Nast Traveler and Travel & Leisure magazines. Awfully decadent.