Day 2: Just Another Day In Paradise

While Steven ventured out for an early morning run, Lib and I headed to the coffee shop for some pure Kona coffee and acai bowls- yummy goodness consisting of fruity sorbet topped with granola and honey drizzled on top.  

We checked our bags at the front and headed out to the beach.

Steven and I rented paddle boards.  We paddled out past the breakers and (un)gracefully stood on the boards and rode the waves.  Steven found the balancing act to be slightly difficult and ended up in the ocean more often than on the board.  I landed on my rear-end pretty hard on the board.  Lib stayed on shore so she could witness the experience and laugh at us.  Lib, unable to contain her laughter, decided to join me on the paddleboard.

Paddleboarding

We walked down the beach to the Grand Wailea to meet Steven’s friend Steven (to avoid confusion from here forward he will be called Noonan) and his friend Callie.  The resort was dated and tacky and made me thankful that we stayed at a classy place, if only for one night.  We headed to the nearby shops and stopped at Tommy Bahamas.  While we attempted to avoid chain places, this proved to be an excellent decision for happy hour.  We had burger sliders, poke, goat cheese, and, of course, mai tais.  This was most definitely the best mai tai we had so far: the dark rum floated on the top and beneath its bite was the contrast of lime juice and sweetness of curacao liquer.

After our late lunch we headed to our new digs, courtesy of airbnb.  At a 1/5 of the resort price, the price was right.  However, pulling into the condos looked like a building featured in Forensic Files.  I traded in a queen bed for some cushions on a windowsill, but the condo has direct beach access, a washer and dryer, and a kitchen.  So, all in all, it is worth it to save money for other endeavors.  We are located directly on sugar beach and right next door to the canoe club.  The beaches on Maui are all public; making it nice to be able to walk as far as your little heart desires.  The sand is soft and pure- no worries of getting splinters or stuff stuck in your feet.

We met up with Noonan and Callie again for dinner at Sensei Sushi.  The food was mediocre and that’s all to be said about it.

The weather has been perfect.  Not too sunny, not too cold and always a nice breeze off the ocean.