Lahaina Maui

March 27th. Day 3 Lahaina

Stunning landscapes is only one of many accolades bestowed upon the Island of Maui, it's been a favorite for many years and a popular destination to residents of Western North America for decades. The great warrior King Kamehameha, who united the Islands under his rule, chose Lahaina as his capital,  a good choice in my opinion. She has superb beaches and the dormant volcano Mt.Haleakala rising  a spectacular 10,000 ft. above the Pacific ocean adds drama and inspires awe to  visitors, whether visiting for the 1st. time or returning for umpteenth time. There are a number of terrific golf courses too, the icing on the cake for many.

Lahaina  boasts no pier for today's cruise ships, it's a great port to tender into though it's the time of year when Humpback whales inhabit the waters, they were in evidence all around us and a joy to watch them frolic. The main square where the vendors ply their trade in the shade of what is probably the biggest and oldest Banyan tree in the Islands, so big with huge branches held up by many stakes the thickness of telephone poles, it covers the whole square.

We checked out the merchandise, then rode the bus up to Whalers village, and walked the ocean front. On one side the many condos and cafes, the other Ka'anapali beach. The economy is hurting here too judging by the lower prices for just about everything.

I did not sleep well and was awake reading till after 3am. I still woke up at 7.30 so donned some clothes and went up top for some coffee while Dorothy got herself ship shape. We purchased day bus passes for the princely sum of $2 each, with the  intention of returning to Lahaina and going in the opposite direction to Ma'alaea bay. I was nodding off on the bus, and when we arrived at Lahaina, decided to tender back to the ship while Dorothy carried on. She enjoyed it and woke me to tell me all I had missed but I at least felt a little more human after my nap.

Met Ruth, another of our CC group, who was telling me that another CC member had fallen ill in Honolulu and was hospitalized, so missed the ship :(  They were hoping he'd be out and joining us in Hilo tomorrow, such a shame to come all this way for that to happen.

Dinner was a pleasant affair, Bev & Tony, Bill and Joan, Kiwi's, Dorothy and moi, from the Great White North, conversation was lively and I told a joke! The oyster dish I had for a starter was tasty, the chilled strawberry soup was yummy, the blackened cod was tres bon and I opted for the fruit plate :)

Stopped by the karaoke for a listen, there was some talent, then there were others, it was fun though. No show for us tonight, we have an early wake up for a tour with 6 of our CC members. We'll dock in Hilo on the big Island at around 8.00am. Tonight we met some more of our CC group so we should have met most before the M&G on the 29th.

I shall now have another go at uploading some photos, do not hold your breath.

Nah, tried every which way but can't get it up-loaded. :(