Aloha Maui,

We had our last walk just after sunrise along the Kapalua trail. We were all sad. The air is so wonderful even if it is warm. We are still talking about that Monkeypid Mai Tai and pie. If you've been there, you will know what we mean!!! 

It was our best trip to Maui. We all agreed. Was it because we all needed this trip so badly? Was it because the memories of me being unable to walk, move, in pain are still present even though we push them far away. All I know is that I couldn't feel happier that I am alive and I enjoyed every minute. Images of Maui fill my mind as we get ready to face reality of driving back to UCLA today. 

Walk to Napili Bay, Kapalua trail, snorkeling even I did it, and Lahaina Koa Grill nothing compares to Monkeypod!

We had crabby Alex and took a walk to Napili. It was much warmer yesterday. Jim and I walked to the big rock at Kapalua trail. I wanted to prove to myself that I could reach the point. I did it! Then, I was taken on a snorkeling tour by Alex. We chased a turtle, I freaked out since I forgot completely all those Club Med snorkeling days. I did see the state fish along with bright yellow, neon and black fish among others. We bought lunch at Honoloa Store which had the famous Maui gold and organic ham pizza. Jim and I had Mahi mahi wrap. All yum and reasonable. 

Me in white swim shirt

Boys snorkeling!

After snorkeling in Kapalua bay, boys went to pool and I did some laundry and packed. We made reservations at Koa Grill which was reviewed well, but then again there was a big line at Cheeseburger in Paradise. It had a nice view with decent food, but nothing special. We couldn't get into Merriman's in Kapalua. We ran into our neighbors in Lahaina. Alex 2nd birthday celebration was failed by Koa who did nothing, so he picked Ono gelato for dessert which is a great place to hear the sound of the waves while eating gelato. We walked around, but Alex was convinced Lahaina was scary after we heard a bar room brawl, bottles breaking, and police. Saw the banyan tree, walked some more and called it a night. Nothing beats the Monkeypod and we even considered driving for their chocolate pie! 

Snorkel, Wailea Monkeypod for best pie and Mai Tai ever!

We started out the day with the usual slow going Maui mode. Kapalua Bay was a bit rough, but boys ventured out almost to Molokai. Hours just passed so quickly while enjoying the breeze and watching the boys in the ocean. Back to condo for lunch and getting ready for adventure to Wailea. We walked along the shops at Wailea, but Whalers village has more shops. We went to Grand Wailea to walk the gallery to see some glasswork. A giant sculptured blue glass ball was a favorite as Alex joked about being the centerpiece for bar mitzvah. Another mirrored more geometric sculpture was voted 2nd favorite. Our favorite room was ocean painting and some mixed media. A calm room which we all thought would be nice in any home! For a small 20k! We took some photos and were off to Monkeypod, a favorite restaurant of Aliso Viejo friends and highly recommended newer Merriman restaurant. It did not disappoint. Mai tai with 3 shots and lillikoi foam was so good. Salads of kale and Caesar were also yum. Jim had pork tacos, I had upcountry filet, Alex ordered garlic truffle fries and margarita pizza with local tomatoes. Alex ate half my filet, pizza, and fries. Fries were great. Everything was so flavorful I could taste the food. Dressing on salad was miso and fresh orange juice. Then, the pie came! Alex celebrated his 13th birthday with his free lilokoi and carmalized pineapple pie, but we had to get a chocolate pie which we all agreed was amazing. We said it was one of the best meals ever and we are wondering how this works since Alex is only 13 and he has had some incredible meals that we haven't even had until NOW!

HONU, by the way, Jim bought me a teal HONU meaning LONG life,

On the way to Molokai

Wailea

#Wearteal

No tennis, beauty walk, off to Kula for vodka and goat cheese, lunch in Provence!!!

We started our day with an attempt for tennis. Too bad the girl who worked there didn't tell us when we visited the first time that there was a giant tennis tournament. Disappointment by Alex, but new plan for a walk while Jim explores the soon to be Montage spa. Strange how our $25 resort fee is becoming less and less amenities by the day, but we still have the trails and Kapaula bay with nice potty! (Most likely upgraded due to Montage!) Alex and I decided to walk the trail in the reverse direction. En route, we saw a painter who was amazing! LOVE watercolor! While walking Alex explained his priority for his next cruise to Europe. We listened to Lupe Fiasco/Jennifer Hudson Remission song and a few other fun music chosen by DJ Alex. I honestly must say that I have never felt better. Even with few side effects, my mind being clear is such a plus! We saw a nesting bird, fish along the trail, and help to take photos of random Japanese tourists along the path. 

Off to Kula for Ocean organic Vodka tasting and tour! Our tour guide was from the Northwest, David and was very knowledgable about the process of making vodka and their new rum. Rum will debut on Monday called Wave and vodka is available in Costco in OC. Great views, who knew there were so many types of sugar cane, tasting sugar cane, goat cheese truffles, and a free shot glass. The chickens are used for pesticide. Great fun tour even for Alex who got to taste the Mahalo water which was $6 for a shot used in their vodka process. I couldn't taste a thing, but had fun. Then, our adventure for lunch. We found La Provence which I saw online had sandwiches, but didn't read that in the weekend it was only crepes and eggs. Tiny place with a nice view and an excellent place to practice Alex 's French which he is learning on DuoLingo (recommend the app!). You repeat the phrase and it tells you correct or not. Our waiter from France told Alex he needed to practice. We all ate crepes with yummy salad and roasted potatoes. All was delicious and we left for Surfing Goat Dairy which is now a full business enterprise since we came here 2 years ago. Alex started his tasting with sun dried goat cheese and another one with olive oil. I was the only one who fed the single ladies and decided to not feed the Billy goat since tour guide told us he smelled like pee. 

Lastly, Alex tasted 4 other goat cheeses and loved Ole which was spicy. He wanted some to take back to the condo, but we told him we would try to get some later. The tour guide gave him Ono goat cheese quark gelato since the other boy wouldn't try any goat cheese. Of course, Alex liked lillikoi flavor. We bought some goat milk soap which I liked in plumeria and Jim got a mug so he could use that instead of the shot glass of coffee we have in the condo. Happy to support the business! We ended up getting Garden Fantasia flavor at our Honolua store in Kapalua. It was yummy and tasted like pesto. Alex put it on his burger! He also dipped gold fish in it. The boys enjoyed a sunset swim and I just enjoyed my Primo Hawaiian lager. I'm thinking the Ocean vodka shot and lager is a cancer cure.