Hawaiin Honeymoon

Even with all the cost-required attractions, our two favorite adventures were free! 'Big Beach', with it's soft, pearly white sand lulled us into a tranquil nap, and later playfully tossed us up onto the beach, then gently pulled us back out for the next wave. We awoke at 4am one morning and drove 45 minutes to the top of Haleakala to admire the breath-taking sunrise (a word to the wise: wear layers!)

Quick Tips:

Pre-plan out your days if you have an idea of what attractions you want to accomplish, this way you aren't wasting any precious time!

Best Way To Get Around:

We rented a fun, sporty red jeep wrangler and it was definitely part of the fun - the warm breeze constantly whipping through your hair!

Best Things Nearby:
ABC - a discount store that offered anything you could think of. It was right on the corner and I can't tell you how many times we stopped in to pick up an extra towel, macadamia nuts, or bottle of water.

Best Things About the Resort:
Centrally located in the middle of the Island.

Resort Experience:
The layout of the resort, the atmosphere, and the fun stucco buildings that sported tiny gecko's when the sun went down all helped create the romantic getaway we needed. The pool and hot tub area in and of itself was beautiful, the 'adult only hour' at the end of the day was great, and all the fun, free activities and bbq's hosted by the local activities planner lured you over daily.

Our room surpassed our expectations. The clean, bright unit was situated such that you could have breakfast and watch the ocean each morning, and admire the sunset each evening. It was so nice to have a washer/dryer right in the unit, too! It really felt like home away from home!

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

The first thing that lured us into Bubba Gump's was the great statue of Forrest Gump's huge shoes and briefcase set up on a bus bench for interactive picture taking outside the restaurant. There were remnants from the great movie all over, and waiters and waitresses went from table to table asking trivia questions from the movie.

We were led to a romantic table for two; situated such that we sat side-by-side facing the ocean, watching the breath taking sunset at the open-window. The appetizers were delicious, the seafood dinner was scrumptious, and the drinks were to-die-for!

Cheeseburgers in Paradise is a famous, local burger chain. The restaurant in LaHaina boasts live music! It is a loud, fun place! The food is good, but you have to purchase french fries separate from your burger. The restaurant in Wailea also served breakfast; your classic ham and egg style.

You have to go to a Luau while you are in Maui. The price sounds high (around $79 pp), however when you consider the all-you-can-eat, local spread, open-bar, and entertainment, you get a steal of a deal and a terrific evening out of it!

The first time we went to Maui we went to the 'Old LaHaina' luau. Outdoor seating, ocean view, delicious smelling real flowers lea, all you can drink, great food, and performers! It was an evening I won't soon forget.

This trip we went to the 'Outrigger' luau in Wailea. It was indoor, but with the fire-dancer and interactive ambience, it, too, was great!

One of the funnest adventures we went on was the road to Hana. You will see bumper stickers of the windy roads, see gorgous pictures, and hear car-sickness tales of this journey. It is a day-trip.

You will want to give yourself plenty of time to make the trip, stop often, and take rolls of pictures. Make sure you bring plenty of water, and have a tank full of gas. We rented a jeep, which insured a fun trip. We stopped every time we saw tons of cars parked. There are famous stops talked about, and some off-the-beaten track hikes as well. Towards the end of the trek, you are on one-lane roads, dirt roads, and there is the chance you could come around a corner and have to stop for cows! Once you are back, you pass a winery that we stopped at to sample and purchase pineapple wine - yum, and what a day!!