Maui 2009 Saturday

We got up “early” this morning to go to Haleakala. Really, we let ourselves sleep as long as possible, then lolled around eating cereal, checking our mail, updating our photos, etc., before getting on the road. Then, we stopped in Lahaina at a Barnes and Nobel that also has a Starbucks, so Ray and I could indulge our respective addictions. I got several novels set in or about the islands and now I can’t wait to start reading.

The drive to Haleakala is pretty straight-forward, except that for some reason I didn’t consider that I might get hungry. A bowl of Raisin Bran only goes so far. Especially at 10,000 feet above sea level. On the other hand, the brain gets a pretty fuzzy at that altitude; what’s a little hypoglycaemia on top of that.

On top of Mt. Smokey, all covered in cheese…

Everyone is right about one thing: it’s freaking cold up there. But wow, can you ever see. We could literally see from one coast to the other. Navigating back was a marital trial, (“Left.” “No, right.” Screech of tires. “Why are you talking?” “Why are you listening?” A few miles of tense silence….) but nothing a Maui Mist or three can’t cure.

We had dinner at The Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant in Lahaina where we ate and drank like we’re on vacation. Imagine a cheddar and lager fondue with bread, veggies and apple slices. Then salads, then a mixed platter of steak, salmon, chicken, bbq pork and prawns, cooked at our table in a coq a vin broth. Then a plate of sweets – brownies, cheesecake, fruit and marshmallows – dipped in chocolate sauce. We had to roll ourselves out of there afterwards. Too decadent. I think I’ll have to check back in with my friends at Herbal Magic once we get back home. And maybe buy a muu-muu, while I’m here.