Regardless if this is your first trip to Maui or your 51st, there is always something new to try when you are here.
“As a resident of Hawaii and a travel agent who specializes in Hawaiian vacations I love to share new ideas with my clients how to make their travel extra special!” I know when many people think of Maui they dream of endless sandy beaches with waterfalls falling right into the ocean.
The waterfalls are located on our wet side of the island or the “windward” side as they call it here in Hawaii. This is about a 3 hour drive from most of the resorts on the island of Maui.
The beaches are located on the leeward side of the island. This will be the driest areas on the island and where most of the resorts or hotels and condos will be located.
The island of Maui is unique in that addition to the windward side and the leeward side we also have the beautiful “upcountry” area of Maui. This is on the slopes of Haleakala Crater. The summit of Haleakala is at the 10,000 feet elevation. This is home to our Nene goose (Hawaii state bird) and the silver sword plant.
As you travel down the crater into the lower elevations of 4,000-2,000 feet you will find our agricultural areas of Kula, and Ulupalakua. Here you will find our protea gardens and farm fresh tours.
Recently I had the pleasure of touring the grounds of Kula Botanical Gardens. I must admit in all my years of living on Maui I had never been inside the Botanical Gardens. My past visits to the property had been to purchase our Christmas tree and to ship beautiful protea flowers from Upcountry Harvest to friends and family in the mainland
This was my first time to relax and take an hour or so walking the grounds of Kula Botanical Garden checking out the vast array of flowers and fauna from around the world. This colorful garden is acres of plant life, waterfalls, a small aviary and a koi pond. I wished I had brought along a picnic lunch so I could have enjoyed the peace and quiet this garden provided!
For more directions or to find out more about the Kula Botanical Gardens visit their website http://www.kulabotanicalgarden.com or call 808-878-1715.
For more information about fresh gift bouquets, arrangements, wreaths or protea dolls contact Susan Locke at Upcountry Harvest www.upcountryharvest.com Call toll free at 800-575-6470 or on Maui 808-878-2824
Written by Marie Glodt Travel to Maui Maui Master with the Maui Visitor Bureau and proud member of the Hawaiian Visitor Bureau. We specialize in honeymoons,and destination wedding travel packages to Hawaii and Tahiti!
Photo credit to Marie Glodt at Travel to Maui
