If you’ve been reading my Fat Mum Slim blog for a while, you know that I love Hawaii and have fallen deeply, and madly in love with it. I think it’s the perfect location for anyone to visit, and even as soon as I’ve landed back in Australia I’m eagerly hatching a plan on how and when I can get back to keep exploring. It truly is one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Recently I spent a week in Maui, and jam-packed that week with some really amazing experiences for my family. It’s probably no surprise, but I fell in love with Maui from the plane ride in… spotting that beautiful water, and that love affair deepened each day that we stayed on the island. Today I’m sharing my top 5 reasons to put Maui on your bucket list, but more so to make it happen. Enjoy, and happy holiday planning.
The sunsets in Maui are just something else. I don’t know if it was because we were so blissed up and happy, or if it was because they were stunning, and being able to see the sun set over the water {which doesn’t happen where I live} was just magic. I loved that each sunset draws an audience, and as I looked around me as everyone watched the sun go down… everyone seemed so happy and content. It really was a magic feeling.
The Self-Drive
Maui, the island, is bigger in size than its sister, Oahu… but it’s a whole lot quieter. The roads are less busy and I think it would be a crime to not rent a car and explore the island. There’s so much to see, and in five days it was impossible to see it all {so we’ll just have to go back}. Maui is a great place to go driving around on, and I loved that we could do that with the girls, and stop whenever they needed something easily… or when I saw something that I wanted to photograph. We spent a little extra to have this Jeep Wrangler, but I recommend it, especially if you plan on exploring Upcountry, or going on the Road to Hana.
Just a short 20 minute drive from the airport, you can find this super popular beach. We stopped up at the top car park, and checked out the view from the rocks {it’s amazing that right next door is a farm with cows grazing!}, and watched as the surf smashed into the shore. It was a big surf day, and out on the water were loads of surfers, and even kitesurfers.
The Food
This probably deserves to be at the VERY top of the list, and I’ve shown much restraint by not talking about it until now… but the food… OMG. It’s good. It can be as simple as poke from the local Foodland {buy the non-frozen one for freshness}, or go all out and have lunch at Mama’s Fish House. There’s food trucks all around the island that you can stop at, including Like Poke at Kahului that are worth a stop to try their wares. There’s yummy pies at Leoda’s Pies, beautiful food at Kula Bistro in the Upcountry, and in Lahaina you’ll find so many great places to eat. I suggest heading a little out of town to a series of three restaurants; Frida’s Mexican Beach House, Honu and my favourite, Mala Ocean Tavern. In Paia, definitely get in early at the Paia Fish Market for a fish burger, a-mah-zing!
Lahaina
Lahaina is a little bigger than Paia, but it’s just as beautiful. It’s right on the water, and a little more touristy {so a great place to stop and get souvenirs}. Head to the Banyan Tree to meet some locals, experience the grandeur of the Banyan tree {it’s so huge!} and shop at the locals’ stalls. It’s a great town to spend some time in with the family, and even at night it’s a nice place to potter around.
The Hawaiian-ness
Maui feels really untouched, and still Hawaiian… which I know might sound weird, but it’s true. The resort we stayed at for most of our stay, Kaanapali Beach Hotel, is the most Hawaiian Hotel in Hawaii, and you can feel that in the hotel. There’s local crafts for sale in the lobby, the hotel doesn’t feel overdeveloped, and it feels respectful of the Hawaiian heritage. I really loved that.
The Coolness
Maui is just cool, through and through. I feel like we only just scratched the surface and we need to go back to explore more, and we will… time and time again, I’m sure.
My family and I travelled as guests of Hawaii Tourism Oceania.
Chantelle Ellem
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