Wednesday May 25th. I really, really should have written some things down because it's getting harder to remember what we did
I do recall that morning we walked across the street and down half a block from our condo to go to a small farmers market which is held every Mon/Wed/Fri morning. It wasn't very big (held in a church parking lot) but what tables there were, were packed full of an abundance of local produce and baked goods. There was a vendor who was just so flippin' hilarious, originally from Texas, he'd been on Maui for the past 10 years or so. He was a vendor of baked goods and had all these lovely flavored cream cheeses' to try on a bagel. Heavenly!
I know we ended up buying some more mangoes, papaya, and some fresh veggies along with gorging ourselves on the samples of cream cheese and bagels! After that we walked back across the road and the kids went to a playground that was next door to our condo building.
As far as I can recall (because, again, I'm old and my memory sucks) we didn't go anywhere the rest of the morning/afternoon and instead went to the beach and pool at our condo. Or maybe we did drive down to another beach? Ugh.....sorry....memory fails me.
But what I DO remember from this day is our luau. Drums of the Pacific, held 10 minutes down the road from us at the Hyatt Regency Maui. Now, we had already purchased our tickets online before we left home - this afforded us the savings of not one but BOTH of our kids getting in for free. Excellent, because luau's are NOT budget friendly, this one being no exception.
Now, I have been to my share of luau's, every trip to Hawaii I've been to one (each one different). They've been entertaining and engaging and this one definitely fell short
So we get to the Hyatt and the signage is terrible as to where we were supposed to park. Hubby pulled into the wrong lot, so we had to turn around and finally found someone to ask. They pointed us in the right direction - luckily because eventhough we arrived with plenty of time we grabbed what I'm sure was the LAST parking spot. Seriously. The lot was TINY and I have no idea where everyone who came after us parked!! Grrrr....
We follow the masses into the hotel - yes this luau was held inside (disappointment #1) and line up....and wait....and wait some more....with 2 bored kids. Fun times.
Finally after nearly 30 minutes of waiting we are let into one of the ballrooms. You are greeted at the door with a shell lei and a mai tai (or non alcoholic drink) and we were led to our table which (a) had a great view of the stage and (b) was close to the doors (good for me as I pee quite frequently, sorry for the TMI). I have to say the service was quite good. We sat at a table with another family (mom, dad and older daughter, maybe mid-20's?), a waiter came by shortly after we were seated and gave us more drinks (drinks were all you could drink, woohoo!!). Then my dh went up to the bar to get us vodka tonics....while he was gone the waiter came by again and I tried a blue Hawaiian. So when DH got back to the table he saw me two fisting it already
how on earth could I handle a 3rd glass? But I did !
Goofy kid
I should mention that dh stopped at two drinks because I NEVER drove the rental car. NOT ONCE. No way, no how. So I was the designated lush on this trip
Soon a delicious roast pig made the rounds (unfortunately no photo) and soon it was time to eat. Our table hosts discreetly came by each table to let you know when it was your turn to eat.
The food, I have to say, was pretty standard. Nothing really fantastic. Except the pig. Oh. My. God.
That PIG!!! Roasted to perfection....it was smoky.....it was juicy.....it was .......just fantastic. As I type this I can remember the smell, the taste.....oh my god I would've been happy with 3 heaping plate fulls of that pig and nothing else!!!!
After dinner was dessert and coffee and while we waited for the main event they called people up on stage to learn the hula. Both my girls went up and dh got quite near the front to catch it all.
So cute!!!
Then it was time for the main show. Now again, because it was held inside the show seemed to lack.....something......The rain was not heavy that night (very light) so I honestly don't know if that's the reason we were moved inside or if it's always held inside. Had I known beforehand it was held inside I would have booked a different one. You honestly lose something by being in a ballroom (feels more like a wedding reception). But this is not to say the performers were any less than fabulous because they honestly were fantastic!!!
But within the few minutes of the hula dancing ending and the show beginning, someone was already tuckered out.
So she missed most of the show!
The show probably lasted about 45-50 minutes and then it was outside for the fire dancing. It was VERY crowded in the area where that show was put on and my kids could barely see so they were crabby (plus it was 9pm at this point). However the fire dancing only lasted a few scant minutes (10 at the most).
Once the fire dancing was done the luau was over so it was back to the parking lot to try and find our white mustang - a hard task in Hawaii when everyone wants to drive the same rental car!
and it was back to our condo, with a quick stop at the Times Market down the road for another 2 litre carton of milk and some more yoghurt.
Put the kids to bed and we watched some Sex and the City episodes before retiring ourselves. Had to get a good sleep as the next day was The Road to Hana!!