freckles & ash

After our epic drive around Maui, the rest of the week was spent getting some much needed R&R. Lots of snorkelling, sitting on the beach, and reading. One night we indulged in a Hawaiian Luau, the Feast at Lele. It is held right on the beach in Lahaina, and features a broader Polynesian menu and entertainment than the classic hula and flame dancers. Plus all you can drink.

We went all out and pulled our best Hawaiian outfits together. At the door you are greeted with a lei and a mai tai. Don't mind if I do.

The first of several cocktails; we tried every one on the menu. These were the blue hawaiians.

Here's the dancers doing there thing. Each course was inspired by a different region of Polynesia and had entertainment to accompany it. The food was mixed, some really good stuff, and others not so great. There was a really great fern salad, delicious fish cakes, and a shrimp and avocado dish that was really refreshing. The guidebook raved about the squash, but it was definitely not a highlight. Also, I made sure to try the poi everywhere we went, to try and figure out the rational behind why this stuff is even served. Every one tasted the same, disgusting. I do not understand how it is a staple of the hawaiian diet.

The evening ended with the ubiquitous fire dancer.

We rented a condo at the Valley Isle Resort for our trip. The view was fabulous from our corner unit, and we watched the whales from the comfort of our balcony every morning over breakfast. Sure, it was a little dated, but who's looking at the room when you have a view like this?

A shot of Makena Beach, one the many beaches we tried during our stay.

The Mai Tai Lounge in Lahaina were reputed to have the best Mai Tai's in Maui. They were the best ones we drank for sure.

Our last day on the island was simply stunning.

We took a walk around the Iao Valley State Park, which has a lot of historical significance to the island. In 1970 this was the location of the victory by King Kamenhameha, which united the Hawaiian Islands. The peak in the center is the Iao Needle, which has been formed over thousands of years of erosion.

We spent some time in Paia on the north shore of Maui, before heading to our early dinner reservation. This beach has great waves and is famous for kite boarding.

For dinner, we ate at Mama's Fish House, which is Maui institution. We drove up to the parking lot, where they have complementary valet parking. You are greeted by a hostess, and then walk down a winding path to a private beach and garden which the restaurant overlooks.

The view was fabulous. As was our dinner. They gave you those scented towels at the end of the meal, which I am so fond of.

Afterwards we spent some time in the garden, before making our way to the airport.

Aloha Maui.

I wanted to note that we purchased a guidebook called Maui Revealed for the trip, on a recommendation from friends. It has been written by Hawaiian residents and has lots of insider notes. It was especially good for the Road to Hana. The only weakness would be the dining guide. If you are a foodie, you might want to refer to another guide.