Thursday Summary
Where does the time go? Thursday was our last full day on Maui this trip, and it's always tough when the thought of going home starts to sink in. We stopped out in Lahaina for a little bit and tried out a few new places to eat, Aloha Mixed Plate for lunch and Giovanni's Tomato Pie for dinner. We also found a set of matching bands to remind us of this trip.

We woke up rather early again this morning, with plans to head down to breakfast. It was a little unsettling that we had to leave the next day, and trying to focus on activities for the day suffered a little as a result. We went back to the room for awhile before deciding to head out to Lahaina for the lunch.

We stopped at Aloha Mixed Plate for lunch, which we always passed on our way to Front Street and had heard so many good things about. It was a really nice place, with a small view of the water, a good menu and great prices. Our waitress was super nice even though it felt like they were understaffed (at least when we got there). Definitely something we are adding to our future trip plans.

It's hard to say, but Front Street was actually a downer this time. There weren't too many clouds, the weather was warm, but it was just hitting us pretty hard that in 48 hours we'd be back home. We go through this every year, but for some reason this one was more difficult. It never does get any easier.

So, we left Lahaina and went back to the resort. Cindy and I walked over to Whalers, where we made a stop at Na Hoku to try and raise our spirits. Not long after, we were walking out with matching Nalani bands, which were a nice combination of white and yellow gold. Something to remember this trip by and to keep a little more Aloha with us every day.

We headed out for an early dinner, and pizza was on our minds (at least mine anyway). We stopped over at Giovanni's Tomato Pie for the first time, which was right near the entrance to the Ka'anapali Resorts off of Hwy 30. The pizza was good, but not like BJ's in Lahaina. The service was mostly not there, but at this point in our trip it didn't really matter.

One more stop to Whalers for ice cream and it was time to start packing. Pretty depressing at this point, but we knew we had to do it. The rest of the I spent out on the lanai listening to the waves and watching the palm tree outside our room sway in the breeze.

Itinerary - Thursday, April 24th

• Breakfast buffet at the Sheraton
• Lunch at Aloha Mixed Plate
• Walking along Front Street in Lahaina
• Shopping at Whalers Village
• Dinner at Giovanni's Tomato Pie
• Packing for home

Thursday Timeline

8:13 AM HST

waking up...slowly

Not sure what made us get up this early, but we didn't want to stay in bed much longer. We were going to grab a little breakfast anyway.

11:02 AM HST

Heading down to Lahaina and some final shopping

Packing up the car to head out to Lahaina. All of our gift shopping was done and we didn't have a lot of things in mind, just walking and enjoying Front Street a little more.

11:33 AM HST

Having lunch at Aloha Mixed Plate

Aloha Mixed Plate turned out to be a nice place, just as we had read from more than a few sources. Certainly a lunch option that will be making it on our plans for future trips.

1:55 PM HST

Back at the resort. Having to leave tomorrow is starting to sink in

We were bummed and not feeling very creative on things to do. It was hard to find something to do to lift our spirits.

2:33 PM HST

Walking over to Whalers

But, shopping always seemed to help, so we went over to Whalers.

3:51 PM HST

Back from Whalers, with matching bands from Na Hoku

Cindy always gets new "hardware" each trip, a necklace here, a toe ring there, you get the idea. I have been looking for something for myself for the last few years, but never really found something I liked. There were a few items in magazines here and there that were upwards of $1,000, which was way to much for me to be spending and wearing (just my opinion).

So, when we saw one of the Nalani rings in the Na Hoku window, it seemed like it would be something I could wear. When we talked to the salesperson and she said it was a popular ring for people getting married on the islands, and the thought of getting matching bands entered the picture, it was practically a done deail.

The design, Nalani, means the heavens. You can see a photo of the rings here: Our Nalani Rings

5:24 PM HST

Leaving to go to Giovanni's for dinner

The pizza was good, and Cindy ordered pasta. The service wasn't the best, but so late in the trip it didn't really matter to us. We headed over to Ha'agan Dazs in Whalers for desert. That helped, a little.

8:15 PM HST

Packing to leave tomorrow. Bummer

Trying to best plan our luggage and carry-ons for the trip home. The usual of separating clothes, packing gifts so they don't break, which expensive items go in the carry-on, etc. I think one of our bags was over 50 lbs, but that's okay.

10:40 PM HST

Sitting out on the lanai, our last night here. Will probably be out here for awhile, just listening to the ocean

I spent quite a bit fo time out on the lanai that night, something like three hours I think. I lot of quiet time and a lot of soul searching. Would love to make this our home some day.

Related Links

• Blog Post - Almost time to say Aloha