Lunch in Lahaina

Yesterday morning was cloudy and it was spitting rain, so we decided to pack up and go to lunch in Lahaina, up the coast in West Maui.

Looking across the water to Kaho'olawe yesterday morning

We had been to Lahaina our first Sunday here, but the drive up had been frustratingly slow and the place was overrun with cruise ship tourists when we got there.  Yesterday, however, the drive up was very enjoyable and beautiful.  It rained a bit in places, but it was sunny by the time we reached Lahaina, which we found far less crowded than before.

We were pleased to be able to again see the remarkable Banyan tree in the center of town, this time without all the vendors present.  

We went to the Cool Cat Cafe for lunch.  We had been told, the first time we went to Lahaina, that this place's burgers had been voted the best in Maui for five years running, and we were not disappointed.  Mark had a Cinco de Mayo burger, and I had the Don Ho, with pineapple and Hawaiian sauce.  Both were decadently delicious.

It was a nice lunch, a nice diversion.  It was memorable.  I told Mark it was worth the drive just to be able to get this picture of him:

Just that morning, Mark had written the following in an email to a friend:

"We are starting our last week here in Maui. There's a strange phenomenon that happens on a vacation like the one we are on. Initially it takes a few days to relax into things. You realize how much of your daily existence is run by fear and anxiety generated from a number of key questions: Do I have enough? Am I enough? What am I missing? Am I going to have enough time to get it all done?

After a few days of vacation - and I make a distinction between vacation and travel (travel is doing and vacation is resting) - those questions become less relevant.

Now the questions start popping up again both relating to this experience and to what lies in the future. I'm not sure how to fight those things or even if it's worth fighting."

Lahaina

Grounds of old prison in Lahaina

Jail house at old prison

Part of coral wall surrounding old prison

We later returned to Little Beach, which we found sunny and warm.  Our new friends were all there.  We saw Chad, Michael and John off, as they were headed home last night.  We chatted again with Jean-Pierre and Troy, enjoyed cocktails sitting at water's edge on the beach, and soaked up the spirit of the place and time, grateful that we have yet another week to enjoy this wonderful place.