Team Fein Goes to Maui!

Ah, Maui. Who has a bad time in Maui? Certainly not Team Fein. Let's be clear that we were way past due for some rest and relaxation (let's also be clear that vacationing with a toddler isn't exactly restful or totally relaxing); Michael and I haven't vacationed (not visited family) since Harrison was about the size of a prawn in his mamma's tummy and referred to as "Barry," almost two years ago. We owe this amazing opportunity to our friends Aaron and Irene for inviting us to crash their vacation and sharing their family's house and car - you guys were totally cool and lots of fun to hang out with!

Maui with a toddler means two things to a Seattle-ite parent... a 6 hour flight and a 3 hour time zone change. I was confident Harrison would do well in both categories and I am happy to report he did not disappoint (although we were very nervous beforehand!). There was a lot of walking up and down the airplane aisles and many a new toy pulled out of the carry on bag as a surprise to keep him entertained, but all in all he was a good little traveler. Even though he woke up at 4:30am the first two mornings, he quickly adjusted, especially with long days at the beach to tucker him out. 

Of the 8-9 days in Maui, 5 of those days were primarily spent at one of three beaches. when he was 4-12 months old, Harrison never liked taking naps at day care and I think it was because he does not like to miss out on the action. The beach had a similar effect on him. We stayed as long as 5 hours at a time, once arriving when he should have started a nap and that kid stayed awake, happy and engaged the entire time (promptly falling asleep the minute we put him back into the car!). The sand was a constant source of entertainment (and a constant presence in his diaper) and he enjoyed playing in the waves with daddy. He nearly fell asleep in the baby floaty as the gentle waves lulled him to sleep until mom pulled him out of the water for fear of sunburn. Harrison now sports a cute, light tan line at his elbows, despite the SPF 50 slathered on every 2 hours!

Makena Beach  earned three visits!

Aaron and Michael built a sand castle and eagerly awaited Harrison's destruction of it!

Irene, Aaron and Michael dug a huge whole Harrison would slide into and climb out of. Eventually it got too deep to climb out of and he had to beg to be rescued! This is his sign for "pick me up."

"Hi dada!" A few weeks ago Michael heartily applauded and encouraged him to say this... now he thinks "hi dada" means hello and he says it to everyone he meets.

We enjoyed a variety of activities on the days we did not go to the beach. This included a "plantation" (which is more for visitors than actually growing crops), including a tram ride, demonstration on how to open a coconut and a pond with ducks and frogs. Harrison wondered over to a local family and they shared some duck food with us. Harrison jumped and pulled his hands back when the duck pecked at his hands for the food.

Lahaina has shops and a nice beach front walk that we strolled at sunset before touring Front Street, visiting the very old and large banyan tree and eating at Kimo's out on the deck.

Iao State Park was beautiful, full of greenery, plants and a nice walking path that was stroller accessible.  

The aquarium turned out to be an awesome stop with Harrison. It was the first time we exposed him to a lot of fish up close and he loved watching them, especially the big, colorful ones. Michael used his phone to look up the sign language sign for fish and Harrison readily learned it in his excitement!

There is a glass tube that cuts through a giant tank - this sting ray happened to glide right over them when I snapped the photo. I love how Harrison looks awed, although in reality he didn't see the ray since it swam behind him.

Kihei also offered some great food and beach walks...

Nakalele Blowhole is a cove with lava formations which, when hit by rough surf, will shoot water through an opening like a geyser many feet into the air. Unfortunately it did not perform the day we arrived despite crazy high winds that nearly blew me over, literally. Check out Michael's hair:

We call him "Adventurer Harry" when he wears his cool hat and scouts out new terrain!

Our trip concluded with a lovely meal at a restaurant built on an old sugar cane plantation. This was one of our best vacations ever, I'm just sorry Harrison will not remember. Clearly, I took enough pictures to implant into his memory when he is older.