Right now isn’t exactly golfing season here in Utah but the weather is perfect in Hawaii and it’s a destination that everyone can agree on. There’s plenty to do for those who aren’t into golf and those who are, have a plethora of resorts and courses to choose from. Three reasons why Hawaii attracts golfers (http://www.golfnow.com/) from all around the world? Breathtaking scenery, world championship course designs and signature holes. It’s a golfer’s heaven. There are even over 70 golf courses in Hawaii to choose from.

Oahu is definitely the big winner with over 40 of the state’s pristine courses. Two of these courses are two of the most challenging in the world (don’t worry there are some easier courses too).  But what really is great is that every island offers stunning golf courses so you don’t even have to worry about choosing a specific location. Personally if I was married to someone obsessed with golf this is a location I would be totally fine with saying, “honey you go play 18 holes…I’m just going to lay here on the beach.”

Do you ever have those days where you wonder what in the world you are doing with your life, how you got here or what were you thinking? I have those days often. More and more lately as I am uncovering the challenges of being a work at home mom with an active 6 month old, an always-growing pile of laundry and dishes, dust bunnies in every corner and goals up the wahzoo but little to no time to accomplish them.

Whenever I have days like this I always think about the day we went on the Road to Hana in Maui, Hawaii. It was a gorgeous drive, don’t get me wrong, it was picturesque and the perfect day- weather-wise to accomplish the task and dominate the drive and enjoy the sites along the way. But it was everything but the perfect day we had hoped it to be. The drive was wrought with challenges along every corner. What were we thinking when we dragged along a three month old? She needed to eat every two hours, we couldn’t go on the hikes we wanted to or make all the stops we wanted, she didn’t nap very well and was grumpy for most of the day but really that was only half of our troubles. Add that along with car sickness, dangerous roads, wrong turns and other crazy happenings- I remember thinking as I pressed my face against the window, how did I get myself here? This is supposed to be the trip of a lifetime and it’s just plain miserable!

But then we stopped at Wainapanapa Black Sand Beach. And it was as if the world stopped. Time stood still. All was right. It was everything I imagined it would or could be. The sand was soft and warm and the water tickled my toes into a frenzy as I quickly ditched my sandals. BabyTravels giggled and cooed for the first time that day. She loved the soft sound the waves created as they crashed gently around us. These sweet and tender moments, even as short as they lasted, had truly made the whole trip worthwhile.

While the trip was not a complete disaster and we did get to see some amazing things along the way- it was a giant headache. So now when I have days where I want to call it quits and jump out of the treehouse and break my arm like I did when I was 8, I think about these simple moments of bliss we had at the black sand beach among a day of hurtful hiccups and it reminds me to find joy in my journey and enjoy the unexpected surprises that happen along the way- even in the smallest and most simplest forms.

The road to Hana is a can’t miss day trip when visiting the island of Maui. It’s lush, beautiful and breathtaking.  There is so much to see and do along the way that you it will take you quite a few hours before you actually reach the quaint city of Hana. There are waterfalls, lava tubes, hikes, black, red, and white sand beaches. But there are so many places that write about the road to Hana that it’s really Hana I want to write about.

We were invited to lunch and a property tour at the Hotel Hana-Maui. I have to say that besides squiggling my toes in the black sand beach this was the highlight of the day. I have constant dreams about this property and hope that I can go back and just spend a week at this delectable location.  Close your eyes for just a moment and imagine in your mind what Hawaii looks like. Open them up. Was it something like this?

There is nothing quite like it. Modern Bride Magazine named Hotel Hana-Maui as being in the top 3 “Ultimate Resorts for Seclusion.” Secluded, private, beautiful, serene and majestic are all words that best describe this hotel. Many of the cottages have private Jacuzzis, the perfect place to enjoy the gorgeous views. These and the spa amenities plus the serenity and enchantment of the area make this a great spot for honeymoons, romantic getaways, and the perfect destination wedding.

If you are looking for a vacation where you don’t want to have to worry about anything and relax, Hotel Hana-Maui is the place you are looking for. Take a horse back ride, enjoy an authentic luau, swim in the pool, get a world class spa treatment, enjoy fine dining all without the nuisance of a clock, TV, internet, or phone tampering your time.

Leave the outside world behind and discover a place where you will fall in love with luxury in it’s simplest and untainted form. This is the place dreams are made of.

This is part three of the three part series: 3 Things worth paying for in Maui. DTM’s recommendations on three things you can’t miss out on during your stay on the beautiful Island of Maui.

#3 Take a Whale Watching Cruise: Every year between November and May Humpback whales swarm the warm waters around the Hawaiian Islands. Maui is one of the hotspots for these marine mammals to breed and give birth. There are so many whales hanging out down there that you can often see them from shore but if you really want to get a more personal experience spring for a whale watching tour. We went with the Pacific Whale Foundation because of their price, reputation and the fact that their proceeds go to marine research of whales dolphins and the ocean.

The two hour trip was a great experience. Its lead by certified marine naturalists that answer questions and fill you with all sorts of whale knowledge, but for me the whales did most of the talking. Seeing them breach, surface for air and tail slap was amazing. It was definitely an experience that won’t be forgotten.

And it is breathtaking. On a clear day you can see all the way to the ocean. For the perfect view of the ‘Iao Needle (Iao means supreme light), follow the paved pathway along the stream leading from the State Park parking lot. But don’t forget to bring mosquito repellant (I got bit a few times) and get their early because the top of the ‘Iao Needle is often hidden behind clouds so the earlier the better in regards for the best view.

I could honestly say this experience was almost…magical in a weird way. Following the path around the stream gives you a sacred feeling since it was once the scene of a bloody battle. But more than that the scenery is beautiful and lush… and peaceful. We left BabyTravels in the car with Grandma since she was a wee bit fussy and tired (BabyTravels not Grandma) and walked around this beautiful state park. Towards the end it started to rain. Not really rain as it was more of a mist. It was enough to give you goose bumps. The air was warm and the rain was so light and refreshing and just a few degrees cooler than the air so it beaded on your skin and tingled. It’s one of the best feelings ever. I closed my eyes to try to soak in the moment and forever ingrain it in my memory so I could relive it time and time again. And because this was just the first day of our Maui vacation, it put me in a great mood- excited for the experiences yet to come.

This is part two of the three part series: 3 Things worth paying for in Maui. DTM’s recommendations on three things you can’t miss out on during your stay on the beautiful Island of Maui.

#2 Take a helicoptor tour: There are a handful of helicopter tours available in Maui that allow you to see the island and catch views that aren’t possible any other way. Based on some recommendations and a spotless safety record I boarded one of Alexair’s A-Star helicopters for a West Maui-Molokai tour. For those of you that may have reservations about stepping into a helicopter, let me just say that the A-Star seemed more like a private jet than a helicopter. It was super comfortable and every seat had a great view.

The flight started out following Maui’s coastline then crossed over the Pailolo Channel to the cliffs of Molokai. These cliffs are some of the highest and steepest ocean cliffs in the world and they are amazing. You’ve probably seen some shots of them, they’ve been featured in a bunch of movies, and they’re spectacular. We followed the cliffs and made some passes to see some beautiful waterfalls up close. After seeing our fill of waterfalls that plummeted towards the ocean, we flew over more of Molokai and headed back over the channel to Maui. This time over the channel we took our time and watched from above as a few whales played in the water below. Back over Maui we circled some more of the coast line and headed back over lush mountains towards where we started our journey.

It was such a great experience. Our pilot was very personable and told us interesting facts and history along our way. I saw things that most people that visit the islands will never see. The flight lasted about 50 minutes but it seemed to fly by, no pun intended. Alexair offers a handful of tours that cover all of Maui and offer options for all budgets and lifestyles. Next time I’ll be signing up for the more adventurous doors off tour!

Previous: Three in Maui Part One- Attend a Luau

Coming Up: Three in Maui Part Three- Whale Watching Cruise

There are so many wonderful sights to see on the beautiful Island of Maui. There are also a great list of activities you can participate in including cruises, snorkeling adventures, scuba dive trips, and many more. We chose our three favorite activities other than the road to Hana and lying by the beach sipping pina coladas, to highlight and this is the first of the three part series: 3 Things worth paying for in Maui.

#1 Attend a Luau: There’s no better way to experience true Hawaiian culture and get a taste of it’s history then by attending a luau. Fire dancers, hula dancers, poi, excellent food and top it off with a beautiful view of the sunset. Life couldn’t be any better right? Well maybe add some of the best coconut macaroons I’ve ever had in my life. We had heard so many great things about this luau and decided to attend the Wailea Marriott’s Honua’ula Luau. It was breathtaking.

You first start off the night with a complimentary lei and a picture of your party by the setting sun over the crisp blue sea. Then you are seated and enjoy drinks (delicious pina coladas if you choose), listen to excellent music and spend time with great company enjoying the view. Then the luau buffet is announced and you are treated to a wide delicious spread of teriyaki steaks, fish, chicken, shredded pork, salads, rice, vegetables, poi (which you have to try), and much more. Seriously my mouth is salivating remembering the feast.

Right as you are finishing dinner, a dessert table is filled with pineapple upside down cake, cookies, brownies, coconut cake, coconut macaroons, and much more. The show begins and for the next hour you will be entranced with the soothing music, beautiful dancing, jaw dropping fire dancers, and there are even some enchanting aerialists. If you go to Maui and question if a luau is worth opening up your pocket book, then trust me it is. It’s an experience you will be talking about with your family for years to come.

Coming Up: Three in Maui Part Two- Take a helicopter tour

Three in Maui Part Three- Take a Whale Watching Cruise