Maui: Days 4 & 5.

After grabbing more pancakes from the Kihei Caffe, we drove to the south end of our side of the island for a beach tour. We first stopped at Big Beach (pretty, but deserted) before heading down a dirt road to Black Sand Beach. The dark sand and isolated nature of the beach was great. We walked the length of the beach before heading north to Wailea. We found a secluded spot to park ourselves for a few hours. We waded in the water, sunned ourselves and watched hopeful snorkelers. It was about as perfect as a beach could be. Before heading back for lunch, we walked along the beach path for a second time.

After lunch and a power nap, we drove north to Paia, a small funky town at the start of the road to Hana. We had already decided we were not going to drive the road to Hana because its curves and dangerous reputation. With its hemp shop and kooky residents, Paia is made for Bohemians. We grabbed a coffee and tropical gelato to accompany our wandering. I especially loved the surf board "fences" in the area.

We next stopped at Ho'okipa Beach to watch surfers and windsurfers. We climbed on some rocks and admired a dog standing on a surf board. We briefly dropped in to the rainy Iao Valley State Park on our way back. Dinner consisted of kalua pork at Da Kitchen... heavenly, but not healthy.

While we watched our last sunset at Kamaole I later that evening, we saw a turtle bobbing up and down in the water near us. Maui is magical!

Sunday morning, we had a 1/2 day to enjoy our final moments on the beach. People are up so early in Maui that it didn't even seem out of place for us to be eating breakfast and on the beach before 8:00 am. By the end of it all, I had a sunburn on my right wrist and back of my knees to bring home as a souvenir. By time we reached the airport, we were tired, but so happy we got to experience Hawaii for a second time.