Day 5: Hang Ten (or not)

Another early morning.  This morning was a little more difficult as we were all worn out from yesterday’s epic cycling day.  A storm came brewing in overnight dumping rain and causing gale force winds.  We drove to Lahaina for surfing lessons at Goofy foot surfing school.  We were questioning surfing on the way there because of the weather, but it seemed like a bucket list thing to do.  We arrived to find every other surf school had closed and our instructor pulled us aside, much to the dismay of the owner, to tell us it really wasn’t a good idea to surf.  Honestly, given the soreness of my legs and my bottom (see previous post about not bringing a saddle), it was a welcome cancellation.  We decided to drive through Lahaina to find a place to grab coffee.  Lahaina is a sad town: it was obviously once the rich ocean front getaway that has been abandoned for newer beaches.  We passed by an old missionary house built in 1824.  In the book “Hawaii” I am right at the point where the missionaries landed in Lahaina and try to convert the Hawaiians and find themselves clashing with the sailors.  We passed a plaque at the center of town talking about how the pious missionaries fought with the sailors and it reminded me of the passage from Hawaii when Malama, the Alii Nui (basically the Queen), is talking about the missionary states “Isn’t it strange?  The little man spends so much time telling us how the Hawaiians ought to behave, but it is always his people who do the wrong thing.”

For lunch with headed to Mama’s Fish House.  Words cannot describe how amazing the food was.  Lib and Steven ordered French press coffee.  It was the best coffee we have had so far, strong but not bitter.  We each received a small tasting of lobster bisque to start followed by warm bread and butter.  For an appetizer we ordered Mama’s Polynesian beef which was served inside a grilled papaya.   The papaya was fresh, sweet, and scooped out easily with the beef.  Steven ordered the Traditional Hawaiian Dinner which consisted of grilled mahimahi, wild boar slow cooked in a ti leaf, octopus luau, ahi poki, poi (taro stem pudding) and purple sweet potatoes.  The portions were the perfect size and the combination of flavors was incredible.  I ordered uku, mahimahi, and ahi sautéed in Panag curry and coconut milk with mango chutney.  Lib ordered the ehu fish which was grilled with Hana ginger and heart of palm.

I ordered a mai tai which came in a tiki glass and Steven ordered a plantation punch (a mix of various juices and rum).  Dessert was fresh tropical fruit served inside a coconut and espressos.  

After dinner we headed up the coast and watched the locals surf the waves.
The winds were still strong and our decision to not surf was definitely a good one.

No day in Hawaii would be complete without a walk on the beach.  The raining stopped, but the winds continued.  This is our last night at Sugar beach and it will be sad to no longer be able to talk long walks on the beach every night.  Until tomorrow, Em