In third grade in the United States, it is customary for teachers to assign homework on the first day of the new school year - write an essay entitled "How I Spent My Summer Vacation." Having just gotten back from a week in Hawaii, I will pretend I am a third grader. My wife, Sheryl, and I traveled with my sister, Patti, and her husband Rickey. We stayed on the island of Maui at a condo named Hale Ono Loa. Saturday Travel Oakland to Honolulu; Honolulu to Maui - I am used to paying to rent headphones for in-flight movies, but was surprised Hawaiian Airlines charges a $5 "audio fee" even if you use your own iPod headphones Check into our condo which was right on the ocean Walk to a local grocery store for the essentials: soap, shampoo, Oreo's, milk Check out what the condo has to offer - steps right down to the water Watch sunset Sunday Two hour walk Snorkel at Hale Ono Loa Once Rickey and Patti arrive, stock up at local grocery store Watch sea turtles from the condo lanai Visit fresh fish market for Ono, Mahi Mahi. and shrimp; grill at the condo Walk around the beach at Kaanapali Drinks at Whaler's Village Watch sunset Monday Two hour walk (previously had gone south; went north instead, but turned out there was less to see in this direction) Visit Maui Nui Botanical Garden - disappointing (internet search for "Maui Botanical Gardens" and iPhone Map search for "Maui Botanical Gardens" yield different results as there is more than one garden on Maui) Browse art galleries in Lahaina - really liked the work of Rino Gonzalez - due to fine brush strokes, actually argued if these were paintings or photographs Drinks at The Maui Brewing Company Dinner at The Plantation House in Kaapalua Tuesday Two hour walk Snorkel at beach near The Westin - lots of corral and fish Pizza at Maui Brewing Company Wedge salad prepared at Condo - confirmed that adding bacon, even in bit form, to anything makes it better Wednesday Two hour walk (Sheryl joined us) Visit Tropical Gardens of Maui - splendid, wish iPhone had sent us here first Shopping at Maaleau Village Sunset cruise on Alii Nui - raising the sail, a highlight of the trip Watch sunset from boat Thursday Two hour walk Snorkeling at Black Rock Lunch and happy hour at Cane & Taro Watch sunset Dinner at Maui Brewing Company Friday Two hour walk Paddle boarding at Black Rock - Sheryl was a natural, I was less successful Happy hour at Duke's House at the Beach Saturday Check out of condo Travel Maui to Honolulu; Honolulu to Oakland - lots of screaming children (back to reality) So my essay does not have many words. It's really all about the pictures. A good time was had by all. Relaxation is alive in the lab. Go to the original post...