Our Maiden Journey to Magical Maui

1) The beaches! There are so many all over the island, and all different types: white, black, even red. Large, busy, and with amenities and activities, or small, private, and rustic (no facilities).

2) The activities! Go snorkeling, diving, surfing, parasailing, fishing, golfing, hiking up an old volcano, biking down the volcano, four-wheeling on unpaved, virtually vacant dirt roads through old lava flows, driving on narrow, curvy, crowded roads through tropical forests, and helicopter rides around the island.

3) The restaurants! There are so many fine-dining choices with all types of menus, as well as sandwich shops and the more familiar chains.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

For the most flexibility, you really should rent a car. A convertible is a great (and popular) choice, as are jeeps. Be forewarned: some of the more remote areas of the island have poorly-paved or dirt roads that the car-rental companies will tell you (quite often) will void your rental contract, if something should go wrong (even if you're in a jeep!). If you plan on venturing on these roads (they're still roads -- it's not really "off-roading"), look into renting a jeep from a more specialized outfit like Maui Dive Shop that encourages you to take their jeeps to these locales. Also, if you plan on "doing the Road To Hana", a full-size car or larger can be tricky to navigate on the narrow and very curvy road. All of the major car rental agencies are located at the airport; you can also pre-arrange a shuttle from the airport to you hotel/condo.

Best Things Nearby:
Maui Hill is close to 10 beaches up and down Kihei Road, from Kalama Beach Park in the north to Polo Beach Park to the south (along Wailea Alanui). There is shopping of all sorts, from small malls featuring local arts and crafts, as well as T-shirts and knick-knacks, to fine jewelry, clothing and art at The Shops at Wailea. There are six golf courses within a very short drive. There also many choices for cheap eats and fine dining in the area. Staying at Maui Hill gets you the member discount prices at the local Foodland grocery store.

Best Things About the Resort:
Our one-bedroom was very roomy, with a vaulted ceiling in the living/dining/kitchen area. The unit included a large lanai off of the living room and a small one off of the bedroom and kitchen. There are A/C units in the living room and bedroom (which was much needed when we were there). The complex has beautiful flora.

Resort Experience:
Maui Hill is on elevated ground, with the entrance off of Kihei Road at the lowest point. The further into the complex, the higher you go. Consequently, the condo units further off the street generally have better views. Our unit was near the entrance, and did not provide much of a look at the ocean, although the view from the front lanai of 10,000-foot Haleakala was great.

The grounds are beautifully maintained, with many trees, bushes and flowers, and include a sizeable swimming pool (with separate hot tub)and shaded deck off of the main office that has a nice elevated view of the ocean. There also is a tennis court and shuffle board area. Gas grills are located througout the complex (with lighting for cooking in the dark -- nice touch). The complex is not that large and generally very quiet (which we loved).

We did not note many scheduled activities at the resort -- there was a complimentary continental breakfast put on by the personal concierge (actually a representive of Activity World, one of the island's local activity broker companies) located on site, who can book various activities for you, sometimes at a discount off of the list price. There was also a sunset cocktail cruise for resort guests (extra $$) that we had planned on attending but ran out of time.

Due to its age, the complex appears to have sold out its timeshare units, but there is a sales rep available for re-sales, and there was an "open house" available during the week, but the pitch was very, very, low key.

Our one-bedroom unit had a queen in the bedroom and a pull-out double in the living room. It was generally clean and in good shape considering it is 20 years old. The furniture and decor was modern and appeared to have been replaced within the last few years. There was silverware and dishware for six to eight people. Note: There were no hair-dryers in the 1 3/4 baths.

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Fair
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Very Good
• Service: Fair

Mama's is located right by the ocean, just east of downtown Paia. The restaurant is large, but at 7pm it was very crowded. The large parking lot was packed. Despite the crowd, our table felt intimate enough, and the noise level was very manageable (unlike some other fancy restaurants that we visited). The decor was beautiful, with lots of polished, hand-carved wood throughout. It was the most "Hawaiian-esque" restaurant that we ate at.

We both ordered fresh fish, which we were told is caught locally. By this point in our vacation we had had fresh fish at a few other restaurants, and most were good enough that we would go back again; but our entrees here were the best that we had. The presentation was very nice, but the preparation was outstanding. The portions were good size and quite filling. Drinks were very good and were not skimpy on the alcohol. Service was fine; no notable delays.

With appetizer, entrees, and desert, our meal took about 90-100 minutes, and we were in no hurry. Total tab (including drinks, tax, and gratuity) for two was $130, which tied our high for the week, but I would not hesitate to go there again.

The tour company picks you up at your hotel (2:30am for us) and others in their van, takes you to their HQ to watch a bike riding safety video and to get the bikes, then drives you in the dark the 1-2 hour ride to the summit of Haleakala. There you don wind/rain suits (which, even if you've bundled up, is very helpful in keeping you warm in the 30-degree dark), drink some coffee, eat a pastry, and wait for the sunrise.

As the sun starts to brighten the distant horizon, the picture-taking commences, until the full fire-ball appears and seems to light-up the entire sky. Only at that time can you see the outlines of the large moon-like crater that last erupted over 200 years ago. Some 40+ miles in the distance you can see the twin peaks of Mauna Kea & Mauna Loa on the Big Island in a sea of white clouds.

The bike ride begins shortly thereafter -- all downhill -- on the winding road out of the national park, past the pastures and old ranches, down the side of the dormant volcano. You eventually make your way to the small cowboy town of Makawao, which is where, as our tour-guide commented, many people who want to get lost from civilization end up.

After shedding the wind/rain suits, gulping down a hot breakfast of eggs or pancakes (radioed ahead so it's basically ready when you arrive) and strolling around the town a bit, you're back on the bike to ride another few miles (with a little more pedaling, but not much) past sugar cane fields to Maui's north shore at the town of Paia, home to a number of quaint stores. After some more pictures at the beach, its back in the van for the journey home, arriving between noon and 1pm, and ready for a well-deserved nap.