MAUI
We were fortunate that our friends on Maui who were hosting us had no ill effects from Tropical Storm Olivia, not even any rain. We delayed our arrival there by a day (the airport had been affected) and the flight the day after the storm was a bit bumpy.
We ate lots of good food—fresh fish done on the grill, healthy salads, crab sliders and Mac and cheese at a favorite happy hour, a tasty lunch overlooking the ocean, our first ever luau, plus a leisurely dinner at home. Brisk morning walks helped offset the caloric load! Our friends are consummate hosts who offered up a variety of activities plus time to shop, chat, read, or just hang out at the pool. Sheer pleasure from beginning to end.
LAVENDER FARM
We requested a return visit to Alii Kula Lavender which we had visited some years before. It’s high up in the hills and we had fond memories of the lavender tea and lavender scones. The farm has both expanded and become more upscale with an entry charge for each individual (a modest $2 for seniors, $3 for others) and the opportunity to sign up for a guided tour. We opted to wander around the grounds on our own. There seemed to be more different varieties of lavender as well as some showy flowers along with Asian sculptures seated here and there. The day was cloudy and gray, but after tramping around, we stopped in the café for the requisite tea and scone, and then perused the offerings in the small shop. A most pleasant outing.
AROUND MAUI 
Compared to Kauai, Maui seems huge. It too is beautiful, but much larger and busier in terms of people and traffic. Here are some scenes from the luau and Wailea on the south coast.
READING RECOMMENDATIONS
In response to my request for my readers’ favorite books of summer, I received these recommendations:
Barb W. thought that The Leavers by Lisa Ko was “very well written and interesting” and “especially amazing for a first novel.” She also enjoyed Prague Sonata, a novel by Bradford Morrow.
Margaret B., an afficianado of mysteries, recommends and has read nearly all by Louise Penny. My sister Sally would concur. They are set in a small town in the province of Quebec.
Note: All photos ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved)
