Aloha from the 2nd stop
of my wedding/honeymoon adventure - the Magical
Isles: Maui, Moloka‘i and Lana‘i. If
you've been enjoying the travel log, last week we were on the Garden
Isle of Kauai in a great beach house. Lisa and I were
married 8/8/08 with our children and granddaughter around us.
It was a great time in a beautiful corner of the world. The island of
Kauai boasts a population of only about 57,000 people which makes it a
laid back, uncrowded place that abounds in natural beauty and grace.
Aloha from the Garden Isle - Kauai
Hangin' Loose on Kauai (WARNING: Some Nudity)
Monday
we shipped the kids home and came to Maui to enjoy a few days on our
own. Maui is a little more populace with nearly 100,000 people. In the
overall scheme of things, that's still not a lot of people and while
the locals complain about traffic and congestion, it only seems to
impact a few areas of the island leaving much of the rest in relative
peace and quiet.
We initially rented a
small casita in Ka'annapali,
just north of Lahaina.
It was a little older place just across the tracks for the Sugar Cane Train
and a short hike to the beach. Very relaxing - no windows, just screens
and shutters, lots of greenery and the lovely scent of red ginger and
Plumeria in the air. We made ourselves right at home but there was an
issue with the property so today the owner moved us into a great condo
right next to Whalers
Village, also in Ka'annapali.
It's right on the golf course with a great view of the ocean and Lana'i, not to
mention some outrageous sunsets.
Last
evening we had dinner at a small place in Lahaina called 'Aloha -
Mixed Plate Grill'. Everything here is outdoors and
anything along front street in Lahaina brags about their ocean views -
as they should. 'Aloha' is way at the north end of Front Street and
somewhat away from the main drag. If you do get downtown
though, make sure to grab lunch at 'Cheeseburger
in Paradise'. The Lahaina 2 story dive is the original
location for this trademark restaurant and well worth the wait to
sample their messy double fisted masterworks.
The mixed plate grill is a local favorite dating from olden times when plantation workers would gather together to share lunch. The Hawaiians would bring a little Kahlua pig, the Chinese would bring in some Char Siu and vegetables, the Paniolos would bring some spicy sausage, the Phillipinos would contribute something else and they would all toss it together with some rice and a little potatoe salad. That's still the tradition of the mixed plate today and the meals are inexpensive, plentiful and tasty. Make sure you get their coconut shrimp appetizer to get things started on the right foot.
Today
we headed 'Upcountry'
to the mountain which houses the dormant Haleakala volcano. About 3,400
feet up is an 8 acre farm called the O'o Farm.
This organic farm was started 8 years ago by the owner of 2 of
Lahaina's top end restaurants, to provide their own produce. Every
Wednesday and Thursday the owner, Stephan, will take 8 - 12 people to
the farm for lunch. The tour starts with the farm manager, Richard, who
walks you around the grounds explaining their organic methods, the
history and ecosystem of the area and inviting you to pick &
sample the wide variety of wholesome fare. They grow numerous salad
type greens, heirloom tomatoes, red corn, 4 varieties of beets,
Buddha's Hands, Cheremoya, several types of citrus, a bunch of stuff I
never heard of and their newest experimental crop, coffee.
As
you wander around and sample the bounty of the earth, you are also
invited to pick a basket of goodies which is then prepared on-site by
their 'farm-chef'. In addition to a phenomenal salad, our lunch also
included steamed Ahi, herb-crusted seared Tofu (amazingly tasty) and
finished off with homemade chocolate from a Hana cacao
grower. You are invited to bring your own wine, which we did, to
compliment this great luncheon under a cool grape arbor in
the misty highlands looking out to the ocean harbors of Hakului to the
east and Wailea
to the west. Outstanding.
From
there is was just another 20 minutes to Maui's only winery, Tedeschi,
on up the Kula Highway. Well, we couldn't get that close without
stopping by for a taste. In addition to a couple strong reds, they also
make a very light pineapple chardonnay and a dry tasty pineapple
sparkling wine. We finished our tasting with a hearty raspberry based
port that would drive you to diabetic arrest if you imbibed too much -
but damn tasty.
Well,
if it sounds like food and liquor are featuring prominently in our
travels - it's only because they are. What else do you do on a
honeymoon in Hawaii? Well, I mean that I can talk about and show
pictures of? Come on now. We've got plenty of things planned for the
rest of the week as well so check back for more fun and games. Speaking
of fun and games - hope you are enjoying the Olympics
right along with us. Man can those Americans swim, eh? Love to watch
these athletes do their thing - a great way to cap off a day following
another outstanding Maui
sunset. Aloha.
Aloha from the Garden Isle - Kauai
Hangin' Loose on Kauai (WARNING: Some Nudity)
Monday
we shipped the kids home and came to Maui to enjoy a few days on our
own. Maui is a little more populace with nearly 100,000 people. In the
overall scheme of things, that's still not a lot of people and while
the locals complain about traffic and congestion, it only seems to
impact a few areas of the island leaving much of the rest in relative
peace and quiet.We initially rented a
small casita in Ka'annapali,
just north of Lahaina.
It was a little older place just across the tracks for the Sugar Cane Train
and a short hike to the beach. Very relaxing - no windows, just screens
and shutters, lots of greenery and the lovely scent of red ginger and
Plumeria in the air. We made ourselves right at home but there was an
issue with the property so today the owner moved us into a great condo
right next to Whalers
Village, also in Ka'annapali.
It's right on the golf course with a great view of the ocean and Lana'i, not to
mention some outrageous sunsets. Last
evening we had dinner at a small place in Lahaina called 'Aloha -
Mixed Plate Grill'. Everything here is outdoors and
anything along front street in Lahaina brags about their ocean views -
as they should. 'Aloha' is way at the north end of Front Street and
somewhat away from the main drag. If you do get downtown
though, make sure to grab lunch at 'Cheeseburger
in Paradise'. The Lahaina 2 story dive is the original
location for this trademark restaurant and well worth the wait to
sample their messy double fisted masterworks. The mixed plate grill is a local favorite dating from olden times when plantation workers would gather together to share lunch. The Hawaiians would bring a little Kahlua pig, the Chinese would bring in some Char Siu and vegetables, the Paniolos would bring some spicy sausage, the Phillipinos would contribute something else and they would all toss it together with some rice and a little potatoe salad. That's still the tradition of the mixed plate today and the meals are inexpensive, plentiful and tasty. Make sure you get their coconut shrimp appetizer to get things started on the right foot.
Today
we headed 'Upcountry'
to the mountain which houses the dormant Haleakala volcano. About 3,400
feet up is an 8 acre farm called the O'o Farm.
This organic farm was started 8 years ago by the owner of 2 of
Lahaina's top end restaurants, to provide their own produce. Every
Wednesday and Thursday the owner, Stephan, will take 8 - 12 people to
the farm for lunch. The tour starts with the farm manager, Richard, who
walks you around the grounds explaining their organic methods, the
history and ecosystem of the area and inviting you to pick &
sample the wide variety of wholesome fare. They grow numerous salad
type greens, heirloom tomatoes, red corn, 4 varieties of beets,
Buddha's Hands, Cheremoya, several types of citrus, a bunch of stuff I
never heard of and their newest experimental crop, coffee. As
you wander around and sample the bounty of the earth, you are also
invited to pick a basket of goodies which is then prepared on-site by
their 'farm-chef'. In addition to a phenomenal salad, our lunch also
included steamed Ahi, herb-crusted seared Tofu (amazingly tasty) and
finished off with homemade chocolate from a Hana cacao
grower. You are invited to bring your own wine, which we did, to
compliment this great luncheon under a cool grape arbor in
the misty highlands looking out to the ocean harbors of Hakului to the
east and Wailea
to the west. Outstanding. From
there is was just another 20 minutes to Maui's only winery, Tedeschi,
on up the Kula Highway. Well, we couldn't get that close without
stopping by for a taste. In addition to a couple strong reds, they also
make a very light pineapple chardonnay and a dry tasty pineapple
sparkling wine. We finished our tasting with a hearty raspberry based
port that would drive you to diabetic arrest if you imbibed too much -
but damn tasty.Well,
if it sounds like food and liquor are featuring prominently in our
travels - it's only because they are. What else do you do on a
honeymoon in Hawaii? Well, I mean that I can talk about and show
pictures of? Come on now. We've got plenty of things planned for the
rest of the week as well so check back for more fun and games. Speaking
of fun and games - hope you are enjoying the Olympics
right along with us. Man can those Americans swim, eh? Love to watch
these athletes do their thing - a great way to cap off a day following
another outstanding Maui
sunset. Aloha. Gene
Wunderlich - Selling Southwest California Homes including
Temecula, Murrieta & The Southern California Wine Country
Remember, Don't wait to buy real
estate - Buy real estate and wait.
'Maui - O'o &
Pineapple Wine'
THE OPINIONS IN
THIS
COMMENTARY ARE STRICTLY GENE WUNDERLICH's PERSONAL OPINION. WHILE ANY
REASONABLE &/or RATIONAL PERSON SHOULD AGREE, THESE VIEWS MAY
NOT
REFLECT THOSE OF ACTIVERAIN, COLDWELL BANKER RESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE OR
ANY LOCAL, STATE OR NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS.
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