It's sad to think that Matthew and I have been back in LA for a whole week. This concrete jungle doesn't compare to the beauty and ease of the island of Maui. People say I came back with a glow and it's true; the island can't help but suck you into beach trips until 12, exploring until 6, early nights and early mornings, bikini-wearing, poke-eating, alohas and alohas, everything Hawaii time. Matthew kept saying, "We gotta go back, Mara. We gotta go back!" LOST fans, anyone?
Maui is an easy island to navigate which was good because we were able to travel to the south shore whenever we wanted. We spent the first couple days of our trip in Wailea but came back frequently because of the beautiful weather.
Here were some of our favorite spots:
Favorite Spots on the South Shore (Wailea/Kihei)
Hotels: Hotel Wailea- absolutely beautiful, on the bluffs overlooking Wailea, amazing service, beautiful grounds, yummy breakfast
Casual Restaurants: Eskimo Candy Co.- best poke ever!, Coconut's Fish Cafe- delicious fish tacos with mango salsa, named after the owner's cat Coconut, Sansei- affordable sushi, late night specials, Lappert's Ice Cream- Kauai Pie flavor is yum!
Nice Restaurants: Koiso- delicious and authentic sushi prepared by the sweetest Japanese man
Beaches: Big Beach, Wailea Beach, Kihei Beach- perfect for learning to surf
If you've been to Maui before and have a favorite spot I didn't mention, feel free to leave it in a comment below!
There's always next time :)
xox
What beautiful pictures! Maui is my favorite islands in that area and I'm looking forward to getting back there again soon! You hit a lot of the best places and I'm glad you and Matthew had such a great time...and enjoyed the island after glow! :)
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you guys had so much fun, and those pictures are gorgeous! I really want to make it out to Hawaii one day. It looks so wonderfully laid back. The perfect getaway!
ReplyDeleteHahah and I loved the Lost reference. I'm still saying that about the island!
Looks beautiful. Somewhere I'd love to get to one day!
ReplyDeleteThey also have the best shaved ice places there! The best in Hawaii.
ReplyDeleteI love these photos- makes me miss it so much!
I'm beyond, beyond jealous. It looks like SUCH a ball!
ReplyDeletexo Josie
www.winksmilestyle.com
Haha..Love the lost reference!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos : )
x
Oh goodness, it just looks amazing! Hawaii is one of our options for my honeymoon...this post definitely helps!
ReplyDeleteOh it looks absolutely beautiful Mara... maybe one day I'll make it to Hawaii!
ReplyDeletehawaii is definitely a dream destination that i cannot wait to visit one day. your photographs are beautiful :) xx
ReplyDeleteSo jealous of your trip! As a fellow 05/06/11 wedding, we had planned to go back to Hawaii for our 1st anniversary but alas money would not allow. :) Maybe for our 5 year!
ReplyDeleteVERY jealous, looks like you had a great time!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures Mara! I'm glad you had so much fun with Matthew! I was married in Maui, and honeymooned there! It's truly a magical spot. Dinner at Capische and Gannons are divine. We also went to the Warren and Annabelle magic show, which was lots of fun. The restaurant before you enter has a playing piano that interacts with the audience. But I had most fun exploring the island and hanging out on the black sand beaches, and oh man, eating the fresh pineapple, banana bread and macadamia nuts. OK, I'm reminiscing too much. I have to go back too!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a beach person but geez these photos are just beautiful! I may make an exception for Hawaii. :D
ReplyDeleteGet artsy with me:
www.houseofhemingway.com
Oh my...I wanna go back and I've never been!! These pictures relaxed me just by looking at them. What an amazing way to celebrate your first anniversary. You two are doing this whole marriage thing RIGHT!
ReplyDeleteHope we get to see more of that dress! ;o)
Love the "Wanted" sign...it pretty much sums it up huh? ;) Maui looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteFantastic pictures!!
ReplyDeleteI sooo agree with your sentiments about the Hawaiian way of life and how you feel a little... lost? when you leave it.
It's a beautiful place and beautiful culture. Let's all move to Hawaii, I say!
Love your pictures so muuch!
ReplyDeletexx
b
Any suggestions for Kauai? My fiancé and I are getting married this Sunday in Santa Barbara and then will be honeymooning in Kauai.
ReplyDeleteoh goodness, these pictures make me want to watch LOST all over again. so beautiful! and wearing a bikini all day sounds fabulous!
ReplyDeletexo TJ
No mention of Hana. Did you miss that? It's a great place to relax. It was always our favorite place, the polar opposite of SoCal.
ReplyDeleteI missed some of those sayings on the wall at the deli in Ulapalakula. I like the "it" one by the door. :)
For the lady above going out to Kauai. Check out Napili coast and do the multi-day hike if you are young and strong enough. That's a Hawaii adventure at it's best.
I love Maui, my family has gone only twice but each time I've fallen in love! We've also visited Oahu and the big Island --- Maui is by far my favorite! It is so relaxed, green.. it is what you envision Hawaii being like. We stay at the Westin ... amazing!! I highly recommend.
ReplyDeleteSo jealous! Need to go to Hawaii soon...your pictures just proved that it's time for me to head that way as well.
ReplyDeleteMara! My grandparents have a home in Maui and my family has been utterly blessed to have traveled there 3 times. Did you explore the road to Hana? Gorgeous everything, yes? I have been looking forward to your Maui post. I bet we could chat for quite some time. :)
ReplyDeleteYou two look so gorgeous! I'd really love to visit Maui. It soulds like so much fun. :)
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful pictures! Looks like you had an amazing time! I love the top you have on!!
ReplyDeletex Aliya
www.hillsidestory.net
Love your sunglasses! Where are they from?
ReplyDeletewe went to makena state beach last week (oh to go back!) and dude, if you want awesome shorebreak and killer bodysurfing, GO THERE!
ReplyDelete