Maui

I miss Maui. The way the humidity moistened my skin, giving it a sweat glow that beamed for miles, the warmth of the sun hugging me like a blanket, and the tropical rain cleansing the air, refreshing every breath I inhaled. It was a magical vacation.

I had never been to Hawaii before this trip, so I was delighted to spend a week on the island with my best friend’s family at The Westin in Ka’anapali. These are my highlights.

Fitness: I don’t know if it was Maui in general, but the The Westin was such an active resort. The gym was always full, people were up bright and early doing yoga by the beach, and the beach walk had constant traffic of avid walkers and runners. I saw as many people in athletic gear as bathing suits. If I had slept in or laid by the pool too long I felt like a beached whale. I was motivated to move. This is actually the first vacation I worked out on. We walked an average of 10 miles a day, but it didn’t even feel that long because the views were so breath taking, and the energy around the island was so vibrant.

Best Mai Tai: You have to go to Monkeypod Kitchen for Mai Tais. They are not overly sweet, strong enough to catch a buzz, and topped with a honey-lilikoi foam. It’s no surprise that these cocktails are award-winning. I would suggest this restaurant for a Mai Tai and an appetizer, if you can catch a table when they first open at 11am, or for lunch outside along the beach. It is a little pricey. The $13 Mai Tai is worth it. We came back here for dinner and were disappointed. The restaurant inside was so hot, we were sweating. The food was good, but the portions were pretty small and unfulfilling for the price.

Shopping: Whaler’s Village in Lahaina was my favorite mall for shopping (this is also where Monkeypod is located). We walked here every morning from The Westin. My best friend, Annie would grab a latte from Island Vintage Coffee then we would walk around the mall until our favorite store, Keani opened at 9:30AM. Keani sells beautiful, unique, hand-made jewelry designs specific to the Hawaiian islands, like palm fronds, mermaid scales, octopus tentacles, shark teeth, and more! I bought a sterling silver octopus tentacle thumb ring. Annie bought a gold palm frond ring for her middle finger, and her sister in-law bought a gold shark tooth ring. The variety and detail is really impeccable. The clothes are just as gorgeous with floral patterns and whimsical materials that flow in the wind. I highly recommend this store for authentic pieces to add to your wardrobe or gifts for your girlfriends.

If you are shopping for cheeky souvenirs I found a great store with authentic, hand-made gifts that were very reasonably priced. IPU Island Crafts in the Cannery Mall in Lahaina has a huge variety of gifts. I bought a sarong and turtle magnet. Both hand-made on the island.

Road To Hana: Obviously this experience made the list. Don’t go when it is raining. Leave at 6Am and plan to be gone at least 12 hours if you do every stop along the drive. You have to download the Maui Road To Hana Driving Tour App from Shaka Guide. This App was really easy to follow and listen to. I am seriously obsessed with it. The waterfall views were my favorite, along with the sea turtles. There is so much beauty to see. It can be a great family experience or a romantic journey. We drove a Nissan SUV, but an open Jeep Wrangler would be awesome.

We had the best poke of our lives at Hana Local Health Food Market. It was so fresh and tender, very impressive for a spot on the side of the road. This is in the town of Hana. There are stops for snacks like banana bread and ice cream along the way. We tried both. Coconut Glen’s was an ice cream truck and it was was vegan! It was made from coconut milk. I had the rum raisin flavor and it was dreamy.

Wig Tips: I brought two wigs: My everyday, high quality, human hair wig, and a fun, synthetic wig. I went to the pool without my wig 80% of the time, because that shit does not want to stick. My scalp was sweating so much I didn’t care what I looked like, I had to take it off. I wore a hat to workout in, not a wig. If you are not comfortable outside of a wig I highly recommend a light, breathable wig that you can get wet and it will still hold on. Or wear a hat over your wig, if you are worried about it sweating off. Just make sure to stay hydrated and take breaks to cool off your head so you don’t suffer from heat stroke. I was in no place to be wearing a wig 24/7, but I felt confident enough to take it off. Probably because I was at a family-friendly resort. All the DILFS were married.

These are my highlights. I would love to hear if you have tried any of them or if you have any suggestions for my next trip!