"Days go By in Maui"

As you can see, I am behind in my blogging; so I'm gonna summarize as best possible on what's been going on with us (Ryan and I). While on Maui, we did some more sight-seeing, this time around we visited `Iao Valley in Wailuku on Monday, where it is recognized as a very special place for both its spiritual value and spectacular scenery. In the center of the valley is a pillar of stone rising 1,200 feet into the air. Commonly called "The Needle," this pillar towers over the valley below. `Iao means "cloud supreme", the bank of clouds that often sits over the valley. These clouds bring the frequent rains that feed the streams in the valley. It is rare to find `Iao Valley State Park bathed in sunshine, but that is precisely what we found when we visited the park.

Down the road, we stopped by "Kepaniwai Park and Heritage Gardens" where it showcases for Maui's diverse heritage with ethnic houses and gardens representing the cultures of Hawaii's many immigrant groups. It houses replicas of a Portuguese villa, New England salt box, Chinese pagoda, Japanese teahouse with an authentic garden, and even a Hawaiian grass shack. It is a great place to take a leisurely walk and even have a picnic.

Next, we made a pit stop by Maui Tropical Plantation where if hosts acres of Hawaii's most popular commercial crops - sugarcane, coffee and macadamia nuts, tropical fruits and exotic flowers. They offer a tram tour through their fields of more than 15 different crops; the Nursery is filled with colorful orchids and the Country Store features the largest display of Made-on-Maui gift items.

The following day, with perfect weather of sunshine and some slight breeze, we drive out to Lahaina. Our first stop there was at Whaler's Village, an oceanfront shopping destination with a diverse collection of world-class designer boutiques, gift shops, art galleries and excellent open-air dining right off Ka'anapali Beach. It also houses a whale museum, "Whaler's Village Museum" home to an impressive collection of whaling memorabilia including harpoons, sea chests and a re-creation of the crew's quarters on a typical whaling boat, when men spent months afloat in a harsh environment.

Next we drove to Front Street, the main street in Lahaina. It has a wonderful mix of rich history, great shopping and wonderful restaurants. It was a hot day so before we continued on we decided to stop in Hard Rock Cafe and have a beverage. We sat at the bar of the open air establishment and enjoyed people watching as all the tourists made their way down Front Street. By the way, before I forget...Lahaina means "Unrelenting Sun" and they are not kidding. It sure was a hot day!