Magical Maui
Just a few weeks ago my husband and I headed over to Maui to celebrate our 28th anniversary! Having sent so many clients to the one and only Napili Kai Beach Resort I was thrilled that this time I would be able to experience the resort for a full week, without working!
We left California when the weather was extremely cold and I could not wait to feel the warmth of the sun. The flight on Hawaiian was fabulous as always, new to the flight is a Mai Tai pre arrival toast (they use to do this 30+ years ago), and as many of you know Hawaiian is still the only carrier that offers meals at no charge.
Our arrival to the islands was met with sunny skies with trade winds gently swaying the palm trees. Nar did we experience a drop of rain during our week long visit to Maui – it truly was a sun kissed holiday!
When we arrived at the Napili Kai Beach Resort we were escorted to the Puna Point section, totally private, of the resort. The room was so exquisite that we ate out only a couple of times for dinner. How could we leave our room that was literally perched on the point, in fact it felt like a cruise ship, as we were that close to the ocean! In this section of the resort there are just 17 rooms and while we were vacationing only a handful were taken as we were traveling during a shoulder season. The day we left the resort was entirely sold out for the next 3 months!
Each day was greeted with a perfectly clear sky and whales spouting, flapping, and jumping for joy in the warm crystal waters that are protected by Lanai, Molokai, Maui and Kahoolawe.
At the Mai Tai social we mingled with family members who were related to the original stockholders of the resort –they talked story of a by gone era – of a simpler time when the journey to Napili was too far to travel from Lahaina and all you saw out here were fishing villages. What a grand vision these folks had back in the 60’s!
When I lived on Maui in the late 70’s Napili and Kapalua is where I loved to visit – not only are the beaches and coves some of the best on the island, it is lush, green and ripe for adventure seekers.
Each and every day we took a several mile beach walk passing several gorgeous beaches along the way – you can walk all the way to the Ritz Carlton and back along beach trails or paved sidewalks.
This side of the island provides easy access to Kaanapali Resort area, which is about a 10-minute drive or Lahaina Town also a 10-minute drive. There are a myriad of dining options – casual beachfront, chef owned featured on Top Chef and Iron Chef, plate lunches, farm to table – in Maui you can experience it all!
Whale watching from December – March each year is world-renowned as Lahaina was once the whaling capital of the world! Each year the humpback whales trek across the Pacific Ocean to give birth and mate in the calm protected waters. You can see whales on all Hawaiian Islands, but if you are planning a visit to specifically see whales then Maui will provide the best experience.
For our last day in paradise we enjoyed a sailing adventure to Lanai courtesy of Trilogy. This company has been in business for about 40 years, they are a well-run company – I highly recommend taking any excursion they offer!
I have to say it is always sad leaving Hawaii – but we know we are blessed to be able to go so often, especially since we live in California where the flight is truly not that difficult!
With warmest aloha,
Joyce Craddock
