Since the early 1980s, the rear parking lot of the University of Hawaii Maui College has hosted the Maui Swap Meet every Saturday. A blend of farmers market and craft fair, it runs from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and admission is just one dollar. Visiting the Swap Meet has become a tradition for us whenever we’re on Maui and today was no exception.
We arrived around 8:30 a.m. and everyone headed off in their own direction to shop. From time to time, we’d bump into each other and compare our finds. We spent a couple of hours browsing and shopping, leaving with plenty of treasures.
Just across the street from the Swap Meet is Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center, the largest shopping mall on Maui. What makes this mall especially appealing is its open-air design, which gives it a relaxed, laid-back island feel.
The mall is also home to Cat Café Maui, a cozy and calming space where guests can interact with friendly, adoptable cats. While Karen, Darlene, and Nana enjoyed some quality time with the kitties, Joan and I did a bit of shopping at Macy’s, followed by lunch at L&L Barbecue. Afterward, we headed back to the condo for some much-needed rest.
One of the gifts we gave Joan, Darlene, and Nana was a sunset dinner cruise with Pride of Maui. We chose this cruise for its island-style cuisine, open bar, and live Hawaiian music complete with hula dancers. We arrived at Ma‘alaea Harbor around 4:30 p.m. and checked in for the 5:00 p.m. departure. Once onboard, we made our way to the upper deck for the best views. Not long after leaving the harbor, whales were spotted—an exciting bonus, especially since Joan and Nana would not be going on any whale watching tours.
About an hour into the cruise, it was time for dinner. With the boat rocking a bit, the staff kindly helped guests carry food and drinks back to their seats. The meal included roasted garlic vegetables, coconut-infused roasted sweet potatoes, island-style baby back ribs, and shoyu chicken. Dessert featured an island fruit display and lilikoi cheesecake. With a stunning Maui sunset as our backdrop, we thoroughly enjoyed the meal.
We returned to the harbor just before 7:00 p.m. and about forty-five minutes later we were back at the condo. The evening wrapped up with the “turtle patrol” crew—Nana, Darlene, and Karen—checking out the beach, followed by a relaxing episode of Landman.
Be First to Comment