Luau hula!!

20131024-123607.jpg When we arrived to Hawaii, I wanted to have a local experience in which I could see the Hawaiian traditions. This may sound ironic but, one of the best ways to get soaked in local traditions, in one day, is to go to a tourist adventure, so we went to a Luau. A Luau is a traditional Hawaiian feast, where tourists can experience local customs, food, and entertainment. A long time ago, people had to sit on the floor for the luaus, but now, they are held in long buffet tables with chairs by the beach at three different resorts in Maui. We chose the one that had space available at the Hyatt in Kaanapali (called “Drums of the Pacific), but we were told that the best one is the Old Lahaina Luau, so if you come to Maui and want to go to a Luau book at least 7 days in advance. Even though this wasn’t categorized as the “best one” it was really fun. They greet you with Leis and assign you to your table with a complimentary traditional cocktail. Afterwards, you get to help yourself with a never ending meal at the buffet, all local dishes including fresh mahi mahi, kalua pork, huli huli chicken, and some fruits and vegetables, as well as desserts. The food was really delicious, specially the pork; it was tender, juicy, and sweet and savory at the same time. When everyone finishes eating, then you get to experience an amazing showcase of songs and dances. The show was really good and while dancing, the host explains to you that every dance is a story telling you about the history of Hawaii and it’s first immigrants. It was interesting, informative, and fun. The best part is that while you’re enjoying all of this, you get to sit down and watch the sunset at the same time, so it also gets romantic!! After everything is finished, you can get pictures with the dancers and shop around for some local handmade jewelry, which can be expensive but beautiful.
If you would like to enjoy a truly Hawaiian tradition, go to one of the Luaus, you would be surprised of what an amazing and influenced lifestyle Hawaiians have. Go have fun, and enjoy a night full of energy; and always remember to keep it local!!!

Cuando llegamos a Hawaii, yo quería tener una experiencia en dónde pudiera observar las tradiciones Hawaianas. Esto puede sonar un poco irónico pero, una de las mejores maneras de empaparte de de las tradiciones locales en un día, es teniendo una aventura como turista, así que decidimos asistir a un Luau. Un Luau es una fiesta Hawaiana en dónde los turistas pueden apreciar la comida, las costumbres y el entretenimiento local. Hace mucho tiempo, la gente se sentaba en el piso para estas fiestas, pero ahora se realizan en mesas largas tipo bufete y sillas en la playa en tres diferentes zonas hoteleras de Maui. Nosotros escogimos el único que tenía lugar disponible en el hotel Hyatt en Kaanapali (llamado Tambores del Pacífico), pero nos dijeron que el mejor Luau es en Lahaiana, sin embargo se llena muy rápido y todos los días de la semana, por lo que les recomiendo que reserven mínimo con 7 días de anticipación si es que desean asistir a uno cuando estén visitando Hawaii. Aunque este no estaba categorizado como “el mejor,” estuvo muy divertido. En cuanto llegan los saludan con un Lei y los asignan a su mesa y donde les regalan un cóctel tradicional. Después, cada mesa va al bufete en turnos en donde se pueden servir las veces que quieran comida tradicional de Hawaii como por ejemplo, mahi mahi, huli huli pollo, puerco kalua, algunos vegetales, frutas, y también algunos postres. La comida es deliciosa, en especial el puerco, estaba jugoso, suave y dulce y salado al mismo tiempo. Cuando todos terminan de comer, entonces comienza la diversión, un espectáculo de canto, bailes y música. El show está muy bonito, y mientras bailan, la host te cuenta como es que cada baile refleja una historia sobre los primeros inmigrantes de Hawaii, haciéndolo aún más interesante. La mejor parte de todo es, que mientras comen y observan todos los bailes, pueden ver el hermoso atardecer, una de las cosas indispensable de ver en Hawaii, lo cual convierte a esta aventura en algo muy romántico. Cuando termina el show, se pueden tomar fotos con los bailarines y comprar joyería hawaiana hecha a mano, puede llegar a ser cara pero es muy bonita.
Así qué ya saben, si quieren disfrutar de una fiesta tradicional Hawaiana, asistan a un Luau, lo recomiendo al 100 y además quedarán sorprendidos de lo maravillosa que es la vida en ese paraíso. Vayan, diviértanse y gocen de una noche llena de energía, y encuerden siempre keep it local!!!

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First of All…

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Before telling you all about Hawaii and what are my recommendations of places to visit and activities to do in order to “blend in” as locals or be an informant tourist, I want to show you where we stayed in Maui. We didn’t go to the main island: Honolulu, Daniel wanted to get more of the island in a less crowded environment, so we decided to visit Maui (the Valley Isle) the second largest island of Hawaii. We took a plane from Mexico to LA (4 hour journey) and then we took a plane from LA to Kahului Airport, the primary airport in the island (another 5 hour travel); we were 5 hours behind everyone in Mexico, thus jet lag can be overwhelming. The island is beautiful, it really is like it seems in the movies, it has so much to offer, you can see a lot of different things from everywhere, like for instance: pines from the woods, trees from Africa, bonsais from Asia, Palm trees, etc. It really has an influence from everywhere, which makes Hawaii a perfect destination to see everything.
The island of Maui has different resort areas: Kapalua, Kaanapali, Lahaina, Kihei, Makena, and Wailea, all of them worth exploring, each unique in its very own paradise. We stayed at Kapalua in the Ritz Carlton Hotel, as you know, my husband is a golf addict so here is one of the major championship courses called Plantation, being this the reason why we stayed at Kapalua. The hotel is beautiful, it has an amazing beach, which you’ll see photos of soon. The staff is really friendly and the food is great, everything comes from a farm where they harvest their own ingredients. The hotel has 6 different types of restaurants for all kinds of food and formality, including one sushi bar. It also has one coffee bar opening at 5 am when sunrise occurs. It has a fitness center with group classes, which some of them are free so I took the opportunity and had a relaxing yoga class early in the morning. I truly recommend this hotel, it has so much to offer, great amenities and outdoor activities and they go above and beyond to immerse you in a true hawaiian experience.

This is just the beginning of this amazing journey, I will tell you all the details hoping you like them. Keep in touch!!

Ratings:

Price: $$$$

Staff: Friendly

Food: Just great, better to try the local restaurants in the area.

Overall: Excellent
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