Best Beaches In Maui, Hawaii

Maui has some of the most accessible and beautiful beaches out of all of the Hawaiian Islands. It's no wonder why the locals are on "island time." It's easy to let your worries slip away just as fast as the tide washes away your footprints from the sand. Take a look for yourself...

Mai Poina Beach Park

This beach is located in North Kihei. Parking is easy to find and you can walk for what seems like miles before you come across anyone. The sunsets are beautiful. You'll get the scenic view that you thought only existed on postcards. Don't miss out on this one.

Waianapanapa State Park

This beach alone would make the Road to Hana well-worth your time. After all, it's rated one of the top beaches in America. This beach is located near mile marker 32 off of Hana Highway. The black sand provides a sharp contrast against the luscious greenery and aquamarine waters. Be careful, though. The tide can rise fairly quickly. So, it's not one where you want to lounge around and sunbathe.

Waianapanapa State Park - Black Sand Beach

Makena State Park

If you're looking for a good place to lounge around and catch some rays, this is your spot. Makena State Park is located south of Wailea and entry is free. The park consists of Big Beach and Little Beach. If you are with little ones, stay on Big Beach. Little Beach is just north of Big Beach. It is one of the few Hawaiian beaches where local police tolerate nudity.

Makena Beach

Makena Beach- If you take the short hike up this lava outcropping, you'll stumble upon Little Beach.

Makena Beach

Makena Beach- Little Beach (left) and Big Beach (right)

Secret Cove Beach

This little beach is easy to miss if you don't know what you're looking for. It's located in a residential area that's just a short distance from Makena State Park. There's parallel parking on the street and a small blue beach access sign marking it's entrance.

The small walkway to Secret Cove Beach

Secret Cove Beach

Secret Cove Beach

Kaanapali Beach

This beach was once named America's Best Beach. It's a bit harder to get to since it's surrounded by several large hotels and condominiums.  However, we were able to find free "beach access" parking that was located in between the hotels.  Make sure to bring your water shoes (and/or a first aid kit) as the reef is deceptively close to the shore.

Kaanapali Beach

Kaanapali Beach

They say a day at the beach can restore the soul. Would you agree? Grab your favorite book, picnic, or person and see for yourself. Lose track of time. You're probably not missing out on anything important, just ask the locals.

Houston Astrodome 2018 Domecoming

Last night, the Astrodome Conservancy threw a "Domecoming" party to commemorate the 53rd anniversary of the Astrodome, the Eighth Wonder of the World.  Tickets were free, but all 25,000 were spoken for within 2 hours. 

A $105 million plan was approve to convert the Astrodome into an event center with 9 acres of covered space.  It was meant to be a last look inside the dome before the construction starts in October.  Memorabilia was on display from the Houston Oilers and Astros and former players came to see the dome one last time. 

Fans showed up wearing all sorts of vintage Astros and Oilers gear and the Houston pride was definitely felt while waiting on the long lines.  The event went well past the original planned time, but it brought back a lot of nostalgia and memories for native Houstonians.

Willis and Jennie's Photo Session in Houston

Willis and Jennie had a quick shoot with their videographer so they had extra footage to put into their wedding video.  It was a great opportunity for me to tag along to grab a few pictures of my brother and his soon to be wife.

Anthony and Gabriela's Maternity Family Session in Houston

Anthony and Gabby are expecting their second child and I was honored to do their maternity session literally 2 weeks before their due date!  We went to this great spot in Houston with lots of mature oak trees that created the perfect backdrop for this shoot. 

Day Trip to Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

For our last day, we decided to explore the nearby country of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Once again, we were able to sign up for a day tour the evening before.  Our tour bus left from Pile Gate at 8 am.

As you can see, most of the city is still sleeping.

Pile Gate

Our first pit stop to use the restroom, get coffee, etc. Up to this point, the drive along the coast of Croatia was incredible. On your way there, make sure to sit on the left side. You'll get the best views.

After about another hour on the road, we ended up at our first destination: Kravice Waterfalls, which is located in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Kravice Waterfalls is a popular place to swim and picnic in the summertime. It's also a beautiful place to visit, year-round. 

After exploring Kravice Waterfalls, we made our way over to Mostar. We had about 3 hours to walk around and explore the city.  

These outdoor markets will make you feel like you've stepped right into Aladdin. Lots of good shopping and unique gifts for souveniers.

Lots of fine hand-made linens and copper. We bought a hand-painted copper bowl and a copper coffee grinder.

We only had time for one meal in Mostar, and we are so glad that we chose Tima Irma. Authentic, delicious, and fresh Bosnian food.

Cevapi (rolled veal sausages with pita bread and a red bell pepper spread)

Pileci raznjici (grilled chicken skewers with cucumbers, tomatoes, pita bread, feta cheese, and a red bell pepper spread.

The owner was really kind and brought us some cheese spread to try, which can only be found in Bosnia. Before we left, she gave us their postcard and a bottle of local beer.

 This is what Mostar is known for, the Stari Most (Old Bridge). Mostar was named after the bridge keepers (mostari) who guarded the Old Bridge in medieval times. The bridge stood for over 400 years before it was destroyed in the war. It was rebuilt and reopened in 2004.

The Bazaar in Mostar

Stari Most

Copper and colorful fabrics in the Bazaar

Another view of Stari Most from the bottom of the stairs. The locals will collect money to see if their comrade to jump off the bridge, which seems to be a common pastime.

After returning to Croatia, we stopped at Barba (seafood meets streetfood) for dinner.

They have wooden utensils for eating, but they also supply markers for decorating them and displaying them on the wall.

Fresh Octopus Salad

Octopus Burger

Tempura Prawns

Although we spent the entire day in another country (and added a few more stamps to our passports), we made it back just in time to watch one more sunset in Croatia. The more sunsets we watch, the more marvelous they become. Until next time...

"To travel is to live." -Hans Christian Anderson