Maui 2013: Day 4 - Sailing

Well, it's not far down to paradise, at least it's not for me

And if the wind is right you can sail away and find tranquility

Oh, the canvas can do miracles, just you wait and see

Believe me

Sailing takes me away to where I've always heard it could be

Just a dream and the wind to carry me

And soon I will be free

Christopher Cross

Please forgive me for quoting Christopher Cross circa 1980, but the song is perfect and says a lot about what the water, and in particular, what the waters off Maui mean to Brian and I.

No trip to Maui would be complete without a sail aboard the Scotch Mist II at sunset, complete with cheap champagne and chocolate covered macadamia nuts, which to us....is just about perfect!

We headed into Lahaina Town, had a cocktail at Lahaina Coolers (checked in with our local friends) and then lunch at a cute little place located down Front Street at 505 called Betty's Beach Cafe.

Having a beer at Betty's

After lunch we walked back to Banyan Tree Park and took a quick tour of the Old Lahaina Courthouse and jail (the jail now holds art for sale).  

The Banyan Tree

The banyan tree was planted in 1873 and marked the 50th anniversary of Christian missionary work in Maui.  The tree was only 8 feet tall and was imported from India.  It now stands over 60 feet tall, has 12 major trunks, shades 2/3 of an acre and stretches out over a 200 foot area.

The Scotch Mist II sails from slip #2 and we recognized the captain, Turk along with the boat owner Gene who also sailed with the 12 of us, and two more crew members (Amarosa and Beth).  We pulled out of the harbor at 5PM (sunset is around 6:40) and the sail lasts 2 hours. 

It's a wonderful adventure, but it goes by too quickly!  It's one of the highlights of every trip and at $49 per person, a real bargain considering the champagne, chocolates and the views you can find no where but out on the water!

No other place gives you the true feeling of Maui then being out of the water, feeling the trade winds on your face and seeing the green splendor of the West Maui Mountains.

We left the boat at 7PM and it was the flip of a coin for dinner, although I could have walked the streets of Lahaina all night and would still have 25 places on my list.

In the end, our bellies said PASTA, and no one does pasta better in Lahaina then Penne Pasta (which is conveniently located right next door to Lahaina Coolers).

I dreamt that night about sailing away with Brian...the wind at our backs, the sun on our faces and the Lady of Lahaina smiling down on us.

Enjoy!
Stacy

Maui 2013: Day 3 - O'O Farms Lunch/Sunset at "The Point"

"Food, for me, has always been an 

adventure." - Anthony Bourdain

One of my favorite places to visit in Maui is Up Country.

A few months back, while browsing through a copy of Maui Magazine, I came across an advertisement for O'O Farm. 

Our adventure began on the slopes of Haleakela in Waipoli and started with a tour of the O'O farm.  You could smell the eucalyptus trees as we arrived and began the tour.

We were greeted by Ansel, farm manager who takes great pride in his work on the farm including his new coffee crop.  He promised us fresh French press coffee after the tour and everyone applauded in joy! 

Greetings from Ansel

We were told to bring sturdy shoes and a light jacket (and a bottle of wine).  This may be our vacation, but on this day...we worked for our food.  If you don't mind getting a little dirt on your hands, you will be rewarded with an amazing memory.

Over the past 10 years, the 8.5 acre natural farm has flourished providing fresh local ingredients for two of Maui's famed restaurants, Pacific'O (in business for over 20 years) and I'O.

Depending on the season, the farms grows lettuce, cabbage, chard, fennel, asparagus, tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, strawberries, plum, fig and onions (seriously, just to name a few things).

Chef JJ of O'O Farm

We toured the farm, and were introduced to our Chef, JJ Johnson from of all places, Seattle (Moses Lake, but close enough).  JJ enthusiastically introduced us to the items fresh picked from the fields that morning, including chioggia beets, daikon radish, carrots, chayote squash and three or four different kinds of greens.

  

He showed off his outdoor kitchen and briefly described the lunch menu.

Ansel took us over to his new coffee roaster and talked a bit about the new roasting house they are currently building. 

After our tour was finished (where we basically harvested our ingredients for lunch), our group of about 25 sat down outside, at a series of fully set tables, under wooden pergolas for lunch. 

We were told to bring wine, which we picked up at the lovely and quaint Kula Marketplace and Ansel kept it cold while on our tour and it was delightful with our meal.

 
Our lunch consisted of:

Pan-Seared Tofu and fresh root vegetables
Fresh Fish Stir-Fry with Maui Onions and mixed greens
Raw Vegetables
Farm greens with Oil and Vinaigrette
Fresh Baked Bread (which was wonderful)

As we sipped our wine and ate our lunch (I had seconds), Chef JJ hand rolled chocolate truffles lightly dusted with sea salt and Ansel prepared French press coffee.  I stopped at three truffles, but they were truly divine.

It was an amazing and unique Maui experience and a "must do" for any foodie!

It was sad to leave up country, plus it was at least 10-15 degrees cooler at the higher altitude.

After the tour, we headed back to West Maui.  One of our dining adventures last year in Maui was dinner at Merriman's in Kapalua.

It was an expensive outing ($300 for two), so we decided to compromise this year and enjoy "The Point" which overlooks Kapalua Bay, have a drink and some pupus.

Another treat at Merriman's is getting to hear Angela and Phil Benoit perform.  They play 3-4 nights a week all around the island and once again, we found them playing at Merriman's.

Angela and Phil have been married for 24 years and have been playing jazz standards (accented with a bit of the Island sounds) for more than a decade.

A treat was picking up their new CD "Golden Sun".  What a treasure to take home with us.

The sunset at The Point was amazing, along with a wonderful bottle of Chardonnay that Brian and I shared.  The beauty of Napili/Kapalua is stunning and this restaurant setting is one of a kind on Maui (in fact, The Point just won the Best of Maui award for having the best ambiance).

For dinner we shared Prime Filet and Applewood Bacon Sliders with Parmesan Truffle Fries and a Keahole Lobster, avocado and Kula tomato salad. An amazing way to end our day!

With the sun fully set, it was hard to pull ourselves away. This place has definitely won our hearts and I would describe the entire experience as magical (as did several wedding parties, including one couple who where married at the point a few hours before sunset). 

Tuesday was a full and fun day! Tomorrow we hit the high seas!

Enjoy!
Stacy

Maui 2013: Day Two - Labor Day!

For Labor Day, we labored by the sun, sand and surf!

Blue skies early and a quick glance at the West Maui Mountains and you could tell that it would be a good day.

Our morning adventure included picking up some fresh produce at Honokowai Farmer's Market, which is open Monday-Wednesday-Friday from 7-11:00.  Although the outside farmer's market was closed for Labor Day, the inside market was still open and serving fresh island produce. Seriously, the best fresh produce, island fruits, baked goods, jams, dips, salsa (like 10 different kinds) and fresh flowers on Maui.  The farmers are available to talk about their produce and give you lots of samples.  We love to stock up so that we have plenty of stuff for breakfast for the entire week.

We cooked up a big breakfast and served it out on the lanai; then I hit the pool for two hours!

 At the Ritz - Happy Hour at the beach house

In the afternoon, we went up to Kapalua and walked around the complex and down to the Ritz Carlton "beach house" just in time for happy hour.  I had a grapefruit Collins and Brian had a dark rum and O.J.  It's an expensive, exclusive and opulent place, but it's nice to visit and it has a beautiful beach.

At 4PM, I drove up the lower road to Napili and had a 50 minute massage at  Makai Massage and Bodyworks, which was truly relaxing.

Afterwards, we walked across the street from the condo to Dollie's, a great little neighborhood bar and pizza joint that the locals swarm to during happy hour.  Unfortunately, we didn't get a coveted spot at the bar, but we sat in the back at a table and watched the action, taking away a medium pizza and a signature salad, just perfect for after sunset.

The first two days of vacation were just what we asked for...peace and quiet.

Tomorrow the adventures begin.....

Enjoy!
Stacy

Maui 2013: Day One! Happy Birthday, Brian!

The birthday boy celebrated his birthday this year in paradise!

Sunday morning started early!  sunrise is at 6:10 AM, so when the birds started chirping at 5:30 AM, I knew it was time to stir.  The ocean was quiet as we sipped our coffee and gazed out upon the teal blue water, watching the clouds form over Lanai.

As the birthday boy relaxed in the condo, I Face-booked my buddies at KPOA (the Island Boy, Ke'evan) and asked him to wish Brian a Happy Birthday on the radio.  Sure enough, 15 minutes later, Brian got his happy birthday shout-out courtesy of KPOA.

We got in some wonderful pool time after the clouds over the West Maui mountains dumped a bit of rain!  One of the highlights of my trip is spending time pool-side.It was so relaxing!

In the afternoon, we headed into town and walked the streets of old Lahaina Town and did a bit of shopping and Brian picked up a couple of T-Shirts at the ABC Store.

 Then in was birthday "Happy Hour" at the birthday boy's pick, Longhi's on Front Street.

Longhi's Fish Special with Fresh Basil and Tomatoes

 
Restaurateur Bob Longhi, lived a life that included a drive to Hana with the Beatles' George Harrison, owning a piece of a professional basketball team and fulfilling a lifelong dream of running a restaurant.  He died in July of 2012.  His restaurant in downtown Lahaina is one of our favorite places in Maui.

  
Happy Birthday to my sweatheart!

Enjoy!
Stacy

Maui 2013: Our Arrival!

Some things never change......

The feeling that we get when we step off the plane in Maui was phenomenal and our weather was beautiful but humid and hot!

Welcome to Maui in September!

Windmills over West Maui Mountains

We arrived last Saturday afternoon after a wonderful flight on Hawaiian Airlines from Seattle and made a beeline for Lahaina Coolers (our condo typically isn't ready for check in until 4PM).

Lahaina Coolers - Our favorite place on Maui!

The same cast of characters and regulars are seated at the bar when we arrive and most recognize us a Coolers regulars (which always puts a smile on our faces).

The wine and beer is cold, the place is full of locals, college football is on every TV (except for one that shows nothing but surfing) and the chef has made Kahlua pork tacos as if he knew I was arriving today.

We were so excited....like two little kids as we drive the Honoapiilani highway up to Kahana.  This is the road that I travel in my dreams, it is my "counting sheep" road and I have tried over the years to memorize it by heart.  The blue/teal waters that lap at the shore, the ruddy colored old road that appears etched into the lower slopes of the west Maui mountains.  It's like heaven to me!

Big changes at the Valley Isle Condo.  If you recall, just one year ago, the condo was damaged by fire.

The view of the clean up from fire damage; the blue circle is where the whale fountain used to be

The place is a super mess and really torn up (in fact they credited my parents 36 time share points on account of the noise and mess).  The front entrance is gone and missing is the wonderful humpback whale fountain that greeted us for years. They have done little as far as remodel except remove the burned out section of building.  The ladies in the office are optimistic that now that the clean up is over, some movement will begin on the remodel.

We love our ocean-view room on the 10th floor, decorated with all the comforts we will need for the next week.

It never takes us long to get settled in, with out butts firmly planted in the sand, we watch the sun dip below the ocean with a glass of wine in our hands!

Our first sunset was spectacular with just enough clouds to bring out the deep oranges and light pinks.

Tradition dictates that we grill up some steaks our first night, sip a few glasses of wine and finish up the evening with a bowl of ice cream while watching the stars begin to shine.

Welcome to Paradise, indeed!

Enjoy!
Stacy