Departure day was here, womp womp. I went out to the lanai for my last Maui sunrise and glass of pog, determined to stay out there as long as I could.
The waves were very big, crashing into the shore, it was fun to watch and listen to.
I got our packing done and changed into my travel clothes and then it was back on the lanai.
I will miss this!
It was finally time to go, so we took one last picture on the balcony!
We had planned to have a leisurely morning before driving to lunch at the Maui Tropical Plantation near the airport, and then stopping in the north shore town of Paia before our flight. However, the rental company's post-Covid policy had us checking out at 10:00 a.m. instead of 11:00. And we also did not have enough room in the trunk for all of our luggage, so that meant no stopping in Paia with luggage visible in the car. So we had some time to kill.
But we actually had a great time, first driving through Lahaina and then into the west Maui mountains. It was raining again so we just enjoyed a misty leisurely drive, seeing parts of Maui off the beaten path.
We arrived at the Maui Tropical Plantation at noon which meant we had some time to walk around before our 12:30 lunch reservation.
This is the place where we normally have lunch on our last day and tour the grounds. However, since Covid, the restaurant we loved closed and another reopened.
The grounds were still very nice with lots of plants and flowers. Like most places, Maui had a hot, dry summer.
We got a little rain shower while we were waiting for lunch, much to Nick's delight!
The former Mill House restaurant is now Cafe O'Lei. We enjoyed our lunch, although not as much as the Mill House. It is still the best place to eat before the airport though!
I got a hibiscus margarita -- the drinks are still really good, that hasn't changed!
I got the special catch of the day which was ono and Ben got ahi tuna. My fish was served with rice and a salad and was very good.
For dessert, Ben and I got the malasadas and a scoop of macadamia nut ice cream, both delicious!
After all that lunch, we needed to walk some of it off and luckily it was cool and overcast, so we spent time walking around the grounds.
Kate took our picture at the gazebo. Ben and I always take a picture here but since it's departure day, we are always in our travel clothes.
For fun, I went and looked at our previous pictures at the gazebo.
2016:
2018:
2022--it's a tradition now for sure!
After leaving the plantation, we took a drive through the town of Wailuku close to the airport. It was another interesting drive we enjoyed.
We had planned to stop at the Kepaniwai Gardens but it was full of locals enjoying their Sunday so we just drove through and left. I would love to visit one day though.
And then it was back to the airport for the long flight home, our wonderful trip over. But for the first time, I wasn't sad because I know it wasn't the last visit. For Ben and I, Maui is our happy place and we still love it as much as ever. So I don't have to be sad because I know I will be back!
Kate, we loved showing you our favorite place, we hope you enjoyed Maui! A hui hou, until we meet again!
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