Maui Island Attractions

Maui is known for taking a trip up Haleakala, attending Luau’s and enjoying the beaches, but here are some other island attractions you might not be aware of.

Bailey House Museum -This historical treasure is one of the earliest structures built by the missionaries. Once a women’s seminary, the building now contains furnishings from the mid- to late-1800s, ancient Hawaiian artifacts, an art gallery, a gift shop and a 100-year-old dugout canoe.

Waimoku Falls – Part of Haleakala National Park, this waterfall is Maui’s largest. The area includes the pools of Oheo Gulch.

Tedeschi Vineyards – The product line at this vineyard includes pineapple wine, as well as champagne and traditional reds and blushes made from grapes. Free samples are offered in the tasting room (valid ID required) – a structure that was built in the 1880s and served as a vacation home of the last male monarch of Hawaii, King Kekaulike. Free tours are offered daily.  
   
Maui Ocean Center – This aquarium was built to highlight the island’s unusual sea life. Indoor and outdoor exhibits include a walkthrough tunnel that allows you to get nose-to-nose with sharks and a coral reef display the re-creates the scenery beneath the ocean’s surface.

Pacific Whale Foundation – This company offers boat tours from both Lahaina and Maalaea harbors with more than a dozen outings per day during the whale season. The nonprofit organization uses the funds from the tours in its research efforts. The foundation also offers a wild dolphin excursion to Lanai, which operates year-round from Lahaina and it conducts snorkeling outings to Molokini.

For more information about our Hawaii tour please click here: http://www.escortedhawaiitours.com/

Norwegian Cruise Hawaii

Norwegian Cruise Line has the most comprehensive golf program for travelers on their Hawaii cruises. Take a look at all the features offered:

ON-BOARD PRO SHOP

You can buy everything but a new swing at our on-board Pro Shop.  NCL logo golf apparel (of course) plus tees, balls, hats, bags, shirts and so on.  And this is where you’ll find everything else you need for your round of golf.  Tee times, club rentals, a playing partner, rental shoes, club storage and more can all be arranged at the Pro Shop by the staff who might love golf just as much as you do.

GOLF CLUBS

Hey, it’s your call.  You can rent top line clubs from us and not have to drag yours through the airport.  Or, if you want the added edge of your sand wedge and the rest of your clubs, bring them along.

RENTAL CLUBS

You won’t need any excuses for a bad round when you golf with these top line Callaway clubs from our Pro Shop.  Included in each one of the six different sets we offer is a Big Bertha Driver, Big Bertha Woods, Irons and an Odyssey White Hot Putter.  Reserve any one of these sets prior to your cruise.

YOUR CLUBS

NCL’s Club Valet Service makes it a lot easier to play with your own sticks.  When you check in for your cruise, we’ll take your clubs and store them in a secure spot tagged with your name and stateroom number.  Every time you play, your clubs will be delivered to you on the pier.  For your convenience, all guests who bring their own clubs will automatically be enrolled in NCL’s Club Valet program.  There is a nominal fee for club storage and valet service.  For safety reasons, clubs cannot be stored in your stateroom. 

TOURNAMENTS

The Pro Shop staff can help you set up and/or run your golf tournament at any one of our partner courses.  Reservations, deposits and other details vary by course, and we can take care of everything to make the planning easy on you.

JUNIOR GOLF PROGRAM

Our exclusive Junior Golf Program is part of our latest generation of innovations.  For one low price, younger players can enjoy greatly reduced rates on many of Hawaii’s top courses along with the use of our US Kids Golf equipment – the #1 brand in Junior Golf worldwide.

RESERVE NOW

All of our golf excursions can be reserved ahead of time once you have booked your cruise.  To make your arrangement or for more info, go to www.ncl.com/golf

To start researching your NCL Hawaii cruise, click here http://www.atlastravelweb.com/norwegiancruiseline.shtml

Hawaii Vacation: Common Hawaiian Luau Foods

Planning on taking a cruise, tour or vacation to Hawaii?

Considered a “must do” by most is to attend a Hawaiian Luau. Wondering what kind of food you can expect during a Luau in Hawaii? Many foods may seem quite foreign to you. 

Below is a look at some of the foods and drinks that you are likely to find at one or more of the luaus throughout Hawaii. 

Char Siu:  These delicious rich, red spareribs are a favorite thanks to the Chinese immigrants of Hawaii.

Chicken Lu’au:  A Hawaiian classic made with chicken cooked with taro leaves (or spinach) and coconut milk.

Kim Chee:  Great as a dip for pupu’s (appetizers) or a stand-alone side dish, Korean style Kim Chee is made of fresh island cabbage, chili peppers, ginger, garlic, and other seasonings. 

Kalua-style chicken, pork or turkey:  Meat that is cooked for long hours wrapped inside banana, ti or luau leaves.  The long cooking time allows the meat to come out tender, juicy and full of flavor.

Kalua pua’a:  Roast pork, as its prepared in the Hawaiian imu or underground steam oven. Kalua pig is traditionally seasoned with sea salt and sometimes green onions.

Poi : Traditional Hawaiian staple made by pounding boiled taro roots and mixing with water until it reaches a smooth consistency.

Poke: Raw fish marinated in lemon or lime juice with other condiments and a little coconut cream.

Mai Tai:  The Mai Tai is an alcoholic cocktail that has become synonymous with Hawaiian sunsets and lounging in hammocks. It is a mix of Jamaican rum and lime juice, garnished with fresh mint. Blue Hawaii’s, Lava Flow’s and other tropical drinks are very popular as well.

Breads & Cakes: Fresh baked breads, pastries and cakes made with island fruits such as mangos, guava, coconut and ripe bananas.

We’ve included a recipe below for tasty Mango bread.

Mango Bread Recipe:
Version is prepared from a recipe by Hawaii’s most famous chef, Sam Choy.
Ingredients:
2 cups flour, sifted 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon cloves 1 teaspoon allspice 1 teaspoon salt 1 cups sugar	3 eggs 1/2 cup melted butter 3/4 vegetable oil 2 cups partly mashed, partly diced mangos 1/2 chopped macadamia nuts
Preparation: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.   Grease and flour two loaf pans.  Combine all dry ingredients. Beat eggs. Add oil and butter and beat for approximately 2 minutes.Add dry ingredients and mangoes. Add nuts. Bake 45-55 minutes.

We’d love to hear your suggestion of other foods to add to our list, as well as recipes on your favorite Hawaiian Luau foods. We look forward to reading your comments!