Hello friends. Ok, this is the last part, and Part 3 of my vacation to Hawaii.
Incase you missed Part 1, you can click HERE, and incase you missed Part 2, you can click HERE.
We took a short plane ride, about 1 hour from the Honolulu airport to the island Maui. We spent the last 4 days of our Hawaiian vacation at the Grand Wailea hotel.
When we arrived, we rented a small car and drove to Costco, which is right near the airport, to shop and have lunch there. We bought bathing suits, flip flops, t-shirts, dried fruit, and my favorite Hawaiian potato chips.
This is a photo of the outdoor lobby of the Grand Wailea hotel where we were staying.
I loved looking at all of the beautiful palm trees swaying in the cool breeze. Along this path you could see the pool area to the left, and the beautiful beach to the right.
The white cabanas that you see below can be rented out for only $600 dollars a day. Each cabana comes with a refrigerator, water and fruit drinks, and 6 lounge chairs. If you wanted one with a large TV, then you only had to pay $1000 a day. LOL!
P.S. - We did not rent a cabana for the day.
The pretty acqua beverage below, is called a Blue Lagoon which is made with lemonade ice and it tasted sooo good!
One day we arranged for a small van to take us and about 6 other people to the top of Haleakala to see the sunrise. We left our hotel very early in the morning about 2:00am. It gets really cold there as we were 10,000 feet above sea level. We had to dress warm, in layers, and we were each given pants and windbreakers to wear over our sweatshirts and leggings. It was so beautiful to see the sunrise, but VERY COLD.
Below is Haleakala at sunrise and the photo is of the clouds. After the tour we were then taken down the mountain to a spot to ride bikes down the winding roads of the mountain. My husband and teen did that with the tour guide and with about 6 other people in the group. I did not do the biking, as I was happy to stay in the van and take photos and see the sights down the mountain.
Another day we took a long drive to see the Road to Hana. It is a long and winding road that takes a few hours to get to, with gorgeous views of the water.
Along the way are many small stands that sell all kinds of fruits and snacks. From one of the stands we bought delicious homemade banana bread. It made the car ride fun!
We stopped to stretch our legs and look at the pretty views. I really enjoyed taking photos along the way.
I love the way all of those pretty trees looked shading the road.
Going home from our car ride we stopped at this quaint area called Paia, where we walked around to sightsee, and shop. We then had dinner at a local restaurant called Milagros Food Co. I had a really delicious tasting fish taco with rice and beans, and the food tasted great after a long car ride.
On the road to Hana has so many pretty waterfalls and this is just one of them.
When we weren't sightseeing we would go to the pool and beach each day. We would then go for a drive and have dinner at local restaurants and then maybe go shopping at the local mall. It was so helpful to have our rental car as we were able to eat off of the hotel grounds and to drive around sightseeing.
After a wonderful vacation in Hawaii, it's now time to say goodbye and head back home. This is a photo looking outside the airplane window at the Honolulu airport.
I really loved my Hawaiian vacation, and I am so happy I was able to visit. I hope to someday return to this beautiful travel destination and see the other islands.
Thanks so much for coming along with me, as I enjoyed sharing with you photos I took of our Hawaii trip.
Beautiful...and it sounds like you took full advantage of everything Hawaii has to offer!! Thanks for sharing the pics with us. It's always fun to tag along on vacation!! :)
ReplyDeleteEverything is so beautiful! And ouch... those cabanas are pricey! There's too much fun to be had outside the cabanas to pay that much to be in one!
ReplyDeleteAhhhhh just paradise Julie. Heaven on earth for sure. So happy you had such a great time.
ReplyDeleteKris
It's always been a dream of mine to go to Hawaii. It looks like a magical place. I'm so happy you were able to visit. It looks like you had a wonderful time.
ReplyDeletexx Beca
We went there for our 25th anniversary 8 years ago. We stayed in Kauai, Maui and Oahu. While in Maui we stayed at three different places, one of them being Hana, right on the water. We didn't stay at the Wailea hotel, but we did have dinner there. I remember the Koi being almost beneath our feet while dining.
ReplyDeleteWas this a trip you had planned or was it spontaneous? I don't remember reading that you were going. Did you use a travel agent?
How beautiful and exotic! I've never been to Hawaii.
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful trip. You really did a lot of fun things and it seems like you ate very well! I want some pineapple straight from Hawaii! Thanks for sharing your time with us.
ReplyDeleteWhat' a lovely trip! I love the grand wailea! Never rented a cabana, but they will set up free umbrellas for you on beach! Took me some time to learn those umbrellas were free! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAhhhh, how wonderful to just soak up all that beauty and sunshine! Seeing your photos brings back so many memories of when my husband and I went there for our honeymoon....I think it's time we visit again {{smiles}}
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed yourself, sweet friend. Hugs to you!
Oh I am a bit jealous Julie. What a gorgeous place. I am so happy for you. Love the pretty drink.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Janet
You got some beautiful shots of the mountains and scenery. That's the most amazing thing about Hawaii I think (and no, I've never been). Seeing the sunrise from the mountain top must have been wonderful, and probably over too quick! Sounds like it was a great holiday for you and your family Julie. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.
ReplyDeleteWendy