Saturday, February 11, 2017

February: I Heart Maui

I Heart Maui

Every year we go somewhere warm for a family vacation. This includes the 4 of us, plus my brother and his family, my younger brother and my parents. On this holiday, my Dad and younger brother weren’t able to make it so it was just the 9 of us.

This year we ended up in Maui. Long story as to how it was chosen, but suffice it to say that we were all on board! It was definitely more expensive than any other one- week tropical holiday we’ve been on, so I had higher expectations going in.

Boy have I been pleasantly surprised!

This island is beautiful in every sense of the word. Picture a vast ocean with a dozen shades of blue flanked by majestic mountains on one side and a velvety blanket of golden sand surrounded by coconut trees and banyan trees on the opposite coast. It is a place where sunrises and sunsets are equally picturesque and the sound of the waves slapping the sandy shores or volcanic black rocks beat to a rhythm of it’s own, depending on the mood of the ocean of course.

There is a wonderful trinity of a laissez-faire hippie sub-culture, the classic American attention to expedient customer service, and the warmth and affection of the native Hawaiian people.  I love that irrespective of where you are driving you will see random stretches of cars parked along the coast as people jump out to walk, swim or surf on the water.  There are more beaches than shopping malls, although the shopping malls that are around are exquisite. Every designer you can think of, side by side with art galleries from National Geographic to local artisans who make their living off their craft.

There is a custard apple tree in our front yard and wild bougainvillea vines of every colour line the homes of most neighbourhoods.  We can catch the sunsets from sitting in the living room and go for a run to the nearby farmers market for fruit, vegetables and fresh ground coffee. Did I mention there’s a bakery that bakes fresh malasadas (Portuguese donuts) every morning from 6 – 9, baked to order?

We’ve been on hikes that have ended up with us swimming under a waterfall to strolls along the beach with spontaneous viewings of whale breaches.  Natural wonders surround this island like traffic surrounds the city of Toronto.

Yes, this has been my life for the past week and I am not ready to go back to -20 degrees with wind-chill that feels like -30! Ugh.

If you haven’t been to Maui, go. If you have, I’m sure you will go back.

Mahalo Maui and Aloha.