Maui: Lahaina - the island’s intangible mystique - Cruise Diary Part 4.

We got the shuttle to the cruise ship port and queued to get through customs. Once through, the boarding process was fairly fast. We had a walk around the ship without crowds, but I'll talk more about the ship next blog entry.That night we went to the show and had a good dinner before retiring back to the cabin. We woke in the morning to room service breakfast (our choice when visiting a port) and a beautiful view of Maui. We had no tours booked, we just wanted to walk around and take in Lahaina, so after the crowds had disembarked, we headed for the tenders.

This cruise is going to some places we have been to, and two ports we have not. Maui is one of these ports. We took the tender to the pier at Lahinia, a former whaling village. We walked along the waterfront towards a beach. The view of the ship from the beach was perfect. Our cabin can be seen in the photo - 6 verandahs along from the bridge.

The history of the town is portrayed on many information boards along the streets. 

 After the water front we walked up past the school to Front Street, and a park behind the Government building, which use to be the main marketplace, and has the largest banyan tree in the U.S.

Next to the park, in the corner facing the water front are the fort ruins replica.

Loved this photo of the birds eating lunch at the park.

The old Lahaina Courthouse was established in 1859 and now houses the Visitor Centre - ok but really a gift shop with a few brochures - art galleries, museum - with video show, and toilets. I was hoping there would be wifi, but sadly no. I was hoping to get the Historic Trail leaflet at the information centre, but sadly, again, no. Luckily the town has the information boards.

We walked along Front Street, past shops, musicians and displays. We didn't go into the shopping mall, and that was where the quilt shop was - grrrrrrr!!

The history along the heritage trail is so interesting and I could relate it to the development and history of some areas in Australia, particularly Kangaroo Island, South Australia.

All Hawaiian Islands are volcanic, and Maui is made up of a double volcano formed by by two lava flows creating an isthmus between the two lava flows.

Once back on the ship, it was drinks with a view and the getting ready for show and dinner.The show in the evening was a comedian, Al Ducharme, and he was very funny.

The cruise is following Captain Cooks Voyage in reverse, and I did not know this!!! Put it down to booking last minute, two week before the cruise left. I usually do my homework.