So here’s part two of my vacation posts. Part one was the 8th through the 12th, {omitting anything about the tsunami that hit Maui while we were there} and this post is for the rest of the time we had there. So if you haven’t seen part one then you may do so here.

There’s not much to say about Maui’s tsunami, for it was nothing compared to what hit Japan. It was my first tsunami warning, but we were too high up in elevation to hear the blaring alarms or have to be evacuated farther inland. My thoughts and prayers are more Japan focused.

We did however for a few days after the tsunami get to see some of the most amazing waves. They were ones that actually formed tunnels and the Hawaiian surfers took advantage of those waves even though some beach parks were closed for days after the tsunami hit. This picture really minimizes just how big they were:

Sunday morning was spring forward, and we officially were 3 hours behind home time.

We relaxed Sunday, watched the church service online and made it to the beach around one in the afternoon. We took our parents back to Kaanapali Beach since we loved it so much. We even got to see some humpback whales from afar.

And let our parents witness how beautiful the sunsets are from that beach:

The next day we went back to Big Beach. Yes, beach days have pretty much no pictures. This day won’t yield any either.

On Tuesday, my hubby and I split from my family and we went to the Maui Ocean Center. Oh, guess who we bumped into there? My family! Maui is too small.

The aquarium was a little break from the beach to go snorkeling without all the gear required for such a sport. It was probably the most impressive aquarium I have ever been to. A bit on the spendy side for entrance access, and too small to spend more than a couple hours there — but very well maintained.

And have you ever seen so many varieties and colors of salt!

After the aquarium, on our way to a shopping center, we took a short stop by Maui’s biggest Banyan tree. Yes, it’s way big. What you see is about 1/5 of the whole tree.

Our journey to the shops was just to see what sorts of shops Maui has to offer. Nothing but surf shops and ocean inspired jewelry. Shopping fail. But we did discover Yogurt~Land. Yes, I’ve been told we have one locally, but it took a trip to Maui to discover its existence. A neat concept but we didn’t like the yogurt too much. The candy and fruit we mixed into our yogurt was the highlight!

Wednesday, the hubby and I had another day for ourselves. The rest of the family went whale watching and we stayed behind. Instead, we found a plantation and decided to take a tour. We are very knowledgeable about coconuts now.

And then on our way to Wailea, we saw a craft fair alongside the road. Yes, we stopped by just to see. It was kind of disappointing because there wasn’t much crafty about it. It was just a bunch of people selling the same stuff that all the tourist trap stores were selling. We did go to a different one the next day, where I purchased some hand-braided bracelets that are now part of the giveaway that I’m doing on my blog. {PS: this giveaway ends March 31st, so you can still win these bracelets or some other goodies that I have up for grabs.}

Then we finally made it to Wailea, the most glamorous side of Hawaii {as in the up-keeping and how lavish the resorts are}. We went to the area’s shopping center and witnessed our first paparazzi folks. Yes, sir, you in the Aloha Wear shirt. You are so not conspicuous hiding in the bush with your camera. We didn’t see anyone famous, but we did enjoy some macadamia nut caramel ice cream {the only thing we could afford there}.

The last day just had to be spent at the beach. This time we went to a beach we hadn’t gone to and loved it. According to my dad, the snorkeling was the best there. He got to see some eels and octopus. How awesome and yet scary! But the rest of us tried to get some more sun bathing in and more boogie boarding. Accomplished.

The next day, we flew to Honolulu to catch our flight back to the mainland. I could have stayed in Oahu yet another two weeks. But that’s for next time…

One of the first things we noticed upon arriving in Maui was how chill the folks are who live there. They drive slower than the speed limit. They walk their dogs while driving a golf cart. Hitchhikers are common finds along the roadside. Surf boards may be {and are} attached to mopeds. STOP signs read ‘STOP and smell the roses.’ FALLING ROCKS signs read ‘FALLING in love ROCKS.’ And the animals are fearless. Driving down the road, you see a white cat taking a nap right in the middle. He looks up to notice you and then falls back asleep as if you don’t need to get through. Okay. Hello dirt shoulder, I guess you shall be our road for today.

So here are a few pictures of our trip. I’m no Daniel Usenko, so these pictures don’t rock. But at least you all will know what I’ve been up to…

Our little house was a round two-story structure in Haiku, surrounded by banana trees and tropical flowers. It  had two bedrooms downstairs and a kitchen & living room upstairs. A bit on the old side with a leaky roof, decked out in spider webs, and covered in grasshoppers and geckos at nighttime…it had its own charm. I mean, who can say they lived in a round house with its largest window being the one on the roof? The wrap-around two-story deck was also a plus.

The first thing we did was hit the beach. It was late in the day by the time we unpacked our bags and piled into our white compact vehicles again. But the beach is still just as beautiful in the evening. It was breezy, but still oh so warm.

The first full day was spent at Big Beach. About an hour’s drive away from where our little house was, we reached the beach pretty early in the day. So nice indeed. We don’t have beaches like that back at home so it was throughly enjoyed. When my honey and I went to Honolulu for our honeymoon nearly two years ago, we went during the high season and had to fight for room on the Waikiki beach. We didn’t rent a car so that was the only beach accessible to us within walking distance. So Big Beach was a great big welcome because whatever spot you wanted, it was yours. So much space! We didn’t take very many pictures because there was too much fun to be had with our boogie boards and sun bathing.

We also brought along a little book with us to help us navigate:

After the beach, my love and I separated from the family and took along one of my sisters for a drive down to Lahaina. It turned out to be our favorite city to visit in Maui. On our way back home, we witnessed a comet hitting one of the mountains.

Actually, someone just spilled their coffee smoothie on our window.

The day after was spent driving the famous road to Hana. I had read about this road once in book a long time ago and had wanted to see it for myself for so long. So we piled back into our cars and went on our way. I underestimated just how crazy the road really is. So many curves and hair-pin turns, by the end I was nauseous. The trip there was just fine because we pulled over at a lot of places, but the ride back home was what got me. Let’s just say I never want to spend another 2.5 hours driving the Hana Highway straight. Stops are a requirement. The town of Hana was ultra small with only three places to choose from for food. We chose the one right on their bay. Ordered some burgers and were charged too much; asked why and we were told that the price changed that day and the menu just wasn’t updated. Okaaaayyy….

But the views were oh so lovely. Especially the hike through the bamboo forests. We were told that if the wind is right, the bamboo hits against each other and creates this loud hollow sound. Unfortunately, we were unable to hear it since the wind wasn’t too strong the day we chose to go. But we throughly enjoyed it nonetheless.

The black sand beach was amazing. I was even more amazed by what little info I learned about them. Black sand’s origin is lava rock. These  types of beaches only last several hundred years before the ocean washes them white. The lava rock supply eventually gets eaten up and the white coral sand starts mixing in with the black sand, eventually turning the beach white for all time.

The two days after Hana, we took our sore muscles back to the beach. This time, we left the parents to fend for themselves and headed to Kaanapali Beach. So relaxing… We got to see our first official Hawaiian sunset.

More pictures to come on Thursday!