Maui

So, last night we sailed at 7:00 and got some nice final looks at Waikiki and Honolulu. This morning we awoke to the sights and sounds of breakers crashing on the Maui shore. Our excursion today was to take us to the Iao Valley. Nature had other plans. Bad rains washed out the roads thus making the valley inaccessible. Instead, we headed to scenic points.

We finished up our tour with a visit to the Maui Tropical Plantation. Here we took their tram ride viewing everything from star fruit, pineapple and papaya to hibiscus, cocoa and bananas as well as a coconut husking demo.

We were back to the ship shortly after 1:00 and headed for lunch at the Cadillac Grill. Following lunch we headed right back out to the shopping area adjacent to the pier. Dawn found a couple of things at TJ Maxx. By then it was mid afternoon and so we headed back to our stateroom for a little R&R. Just up the coast from our stateroom view, the ocean was littered with wind and kite surfers. With the stiff breeze today, they were howling! Tonight we were dining at one of the ship's specialty restaurants, the French themed Jefferson Bistro. We were particularly interested in seeing how they would approach our favourite cuisine. We were not disappointed. Well done, Pride of America. Dawn had French onion soup, beef tenderloin and a hazelnut Napoleon, while predictable me had escargots, veal medallions and creme brulee. A great way to finish off day 1 in Maui.