(we managed to get the last spot in the parking lot!) and we were ready to get going. Our first destination is Iao Valley State Park. This unique area features pinnacle like mountains. The park is also filled with tropical plants and flowers. There is also a softly flowing river with a rocky riverbed. Unfortunately, there is 
a cloud hanging over the park and it is spitting raindrops. The rain isn’t so bad, but the cloudiness isn’t the greatest for pictures. We decide to photograph several spots in the park and keep moving. If we finish our list of destinations today and the sky clears, we might come back.We leave the park and head southwest to West Maui. Our first
stop is a small resort town called Lahaina. It is a quaint, historic town, filled with little shops, fishing spots and
beaches. In other words, paradise! We photographed a few historical buildings, some fishing charters and an 
enormous banyan tree. The tree was incredible. We also captured a Sugar Cane Train that takes passengers on a one hour trip to sugar cane fields. 
West Maui has two developed areas that are very popular for travelers. One is Kapalua and the other is Kaanapali. Both were developed as destination resorts, with a mix of villas, condos, hotels, etc. Those of you that follow the game of golf and the show, “Big Break”, may remember Kaanapali as the site of one of the competitions. The golf course is immaculate and well manicured, but it also appears to be very fair. Fairways are wide and danger is minimized. That is great if you are vacationing and golfing. No need to frustrate golfers, especially if on vacation. Wish my golf game had that philosophy at all times. lol
This side of the island focuses on relaxation and beautiful beaches. In fact, the Best Beach in America 2006 is D.T. Fleming Beach Park, just north of Kapalua. It is gorgeous, with strong waves, sandy beach and tree covered picnic areas. We enjoyed our lunch at one of the picnic
tables. Talk about a room with a view…
After a couple hours in this area, we begin back towards the east 
side of the island, where our cruise ship is located. On the way, we dip down a bit and stop in Kihei. We had seen a picture of outriggers side by side on the beach. We wanted to capture that image and we did. The weather near Iao Valley State Park still had heavy clouds and some rain, so we gave up on the possibility of photographing it again.Along our return drive, we see a sugar can processing plant and sugar cane fields. There is even a sugar cane museum. The smell emanating from the plant was remarkably similar to the familiar smell in the fall in Croswell, Michigan. The town is four miles from our home and it is an offensive and strong odor when the sugar beets are processed. We are thousands of miles from home, but we experience a familiar “scent”.
Despite the cloudiness and precipitation near the State Park, the skies are beautifully blue and sunny near the ocean. Our last stop before we return the rental car is a beach area near Pa’ia called Hookipa Beach Park. This is a world-renowned spot for windsurfing and surfboarding. It is so busy there that the two groups have agreed upon spots in the bay area where they “play”. We were not disappointed. The wind and
the waves were fierce; so strong that it was tough to stand and take pictures at times. I had to significantly widen my stance to maintain stability. It was a thrill to see so many athletes 
enjoy a natural phenomenon. As mentioned a couple days ago, there isn’t an inch of fat on any of these wave lovers. If only I had known about this thirty years ago. LolWe were ready to call it a day. We filled up the gas tank and headed to the rental car spot. They had a shuttle
take us back to the dock. We took a few pictures of our ship, NCL’s Pride of America at the dock before reboarding.Tomorrow, we visit the “big island”, Hawaii. We will be visiting Hilo on Tuesday and the ship will have us on the other side at Kona on Wednesday.
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