Maui Is Like Your First Kiss You Never Forget It

J ust saying the word              with an unforgettable journey      "Hawaii" conjures up images     into the area's plantation past.   of brown bodies, warm                                              sunshine, and a romantic walk on      "Paradise" is a word that that     the beach in the moonlight. All       has been used to describe Maui.    of this is available and there is     Any way you slice it, vacationing  much more than meets the eye. The     on Maui is an experience that      only thing that could hold you        will bring families closer         back from seeing and doing all        together. The good news is that    that there is to do, is your          there is also a focus on fun and   sense of adventure.                   education. You have your pick of                                         outdoor activities, and the        Hawaii is actually made up of six     Native Hawaiian culture adds to    separate islands. Maui is small       the world-class atractions. The    compared to the "Big Island". But     Hawaiian culture focuses on the    that doesn't mean anything,           importance of children and         because what Maui lacks in size,      family, and many hotels and        it makes it up in it's atmosphere     resorts have kid and student       and personality. Maui serves up       discount programs available.       plenty of historic and cultural                                          attractions that will captivate       Maui's climate (or better yet      your imagination, while exposing      climates), is a very unique        the timeless traditions of this       subject in itself. You can go      magical island. For example, the      from a desert to a rainforest,     town of Lahaina is a National         all in a matter of hours. And      Historic District. This was once      because Maui is small, you can     a thriving whaling port. History      plan a daytrip easily and know     buffs will enjoy                      that you are going to catch all    Lahaina-Kaanapali and the Pacific     the sights. It's commonplace to    Railroads provide history lovers      visit the top of Haleaka at        10,000 ft, and still have time to     interesting, and guaranteed to     go snorkeling in the calm blue        have you sitting on the edge of    ocean, all within the same day.       your seat.                                                                                                  Maui's marine environment is          Be sure to make time to visit the  spotlighted at the Maui Ocean         Hawaii Nature Center. Here you     Center in Ma'alaea. With a wide       will discover more more than       variety of hands-on exhibits,         thirty hands-on exhibits that      aquarium displays and a "touch        will enable you to learn about     pool", visitors can get close and     Maui's environment. Would you      personal to various ocean             like to be able to experience the  creatures like sea urchins and        ability to see a hundred           starfish. Some of the other           directions at once? "Life As A     features include live jellyfish,      Dragonnfly" is just one of these   colorful reef fish, shrimp, eels,     exhibits that kids and adults      skipjack tuna, octopus, lobsters,     will find fascinating. The         all sorts of different types of       Naturalists offer a guided tour    rays and even sharks.                 called the "Rainforest Wilderness                                        Walk" which gives you a detailed   The Maui Tropical Plantation is       background of the history of the   another attraction which              area called the "Tao Valley." You  spotlights the Island's               will walk away with a greater      agricultural history. Visitors        appreciation for the gifts that    can take tram tours and see how       nature gives us.                   plantations have played an                                               important part of Maui's growth.      Of course the beaches are another  You will see acres of sugar cane,     great way to spend your time       papaya, guava, mango, banana,         getting to know the area.          pineapple, kona coffee and            Kaanapali Beach (which has also    macadamia nuts. It's very             been referred to as "Dig Me"       beach), is one of Maui's best                                            beaches. Kaanapali Beach is four                                         miles long, and runs alongside        Whether you stay in the upscale    the sea channel for almost it's       resort hotels or Maui's beach      whole length. The sand is a           parks and camping facilities, you  golden color and has a paved          are guaranteed to have great       beach walk path. The swimming is      memories. Don't be surprised if    awesome and there are many beach      you find yourself back in this     activity vendors, offering any        beautiful island again. There's    type of water activity or             just something about the magnetic  equipment that you could imagine.     attraction of Maui.                About the Author: Elizabeth Ann Wares is an avid traveler and shares travel and vacation tips. She is the webmaster of Airfare X, a leading resource for discount airfare: http://www.airfarex.com Source: www.isnare.com