Maui? Mais, oui.

The Traveling Alpaca adores the islands. And Maui is a favorite, given its close proximity to the Alpaca's Los Angeles home and for its key attractions such as Honolua Bay, Molokini and Turtle Arches snorkel sites. Here he is snorkeling and swimming with local dolphins off the coast of Molokini. As much as Alpaca loves to snorkel, though, he also loves Maui above water, where he can hike, look at waterfalls along the side of the road and take in the beautiful valleys and scenery that is Maui.

Staying on famous (and deservedly so) Kaanapali beach didn't hurt, either. Beautiful, calm oceanfront, fine sand, several pools, tennis courts, golf course, good restaurants and tropical gardens. The Alpaca couldn't ask for anything more. Alpaca especially loved sipping his Mai Tai and watching the hula dancers and divers perform at sunset at Black Rock.

Food here was not memorable. Maui Tacos, a famous local chain, was excessively hyped and quite mediocre (nowhere near as good as a Chipotle or Baja Fresh). And excluding sushi spots, other restaurants (regardless of cost) were painfully uninspired.