Polo on Maui

Almost a full year since our perfect Sunday watching polo last fall with Bryan's parents, Bryan and I finally made it back up to Makawao to watch the Maui Polo Club gallop across the field.

We packed the trunk with beach chairs, picked up my girlfriend Shaina in Lahaina, loaded up our cooler with snacks, and then headed Upcountry for some horsey good fun.

We arrived about a quarter of the way into the first match.  Shortly after we set our chairs and cooler, we prepared to flee as a horde of horses galloped towards us in chase of the ball, and then we watched a fiery tempered player yell at his grooms for not having his second horse ready as he was trading in ponies during a break during the game, and then shortly thereafter, we watched a player take a spill at the far goalpost during the match--and this all happened within the first 10 minutes of getting set up by the field.  Talk about drama.

It was cool and breezy on the field--a welcome relief to the cruel sun of Lahaina.  Shaina and I were soon bundled up in our hoodies as we watched the game.

We had a great afternoon watching the horses and riders gallop around the field.  The same colorful commentator that so wildly entertained us last year was back again in full form.  Our friends from town ended up joining us at the match as well, so we had a good little gang of us.  Bryan and I commented on how many more people were out at the match than the game that we had attended last year.  When we paid our entrance fee to the games this afternoon, we were given a flyer for the Maui Polo Club with a tagline declaring Maui Polo as "the best kept secret on Maui."  Maybe not so much anymore!

The fall season is in full swing with games every Sunday starting at 1:30 in the afternoon.

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Spiced Pork Chops with Sweet and Sour Glaze

My first attempt at home cooked pork chops:

Soooo good!

I'm one of those weirdos that watch the Food Network when I'm eating lunch--talk about producing major food envy.  Most times, what I'm eating is nowhere near as appealing as what's being cooked in front of me.  

Yesterday, I watched my Food Network favorite Giada De Laurentiis whip up pan seared pork chops with a agrodulce glaze.  It looked simple to prepare and downright delicious.  I decided it was high time to try my hand at pork chops, and I was going do it just like Giada did it.

I went to the grocery store this morning and picked up chops along with honey and scallions for the glaze.  It was helpful that my pantry was already stocked with the rest of the ingredients--see, I told you the recipe looked simple.

I came back home with my goods and immediately started cooking.  I sauteed a mix of spinach and kale with onions in olive oil in a big pan.  Once the greens were cooked, I plated them and then started cooking my seasoned chops (about 5 minutes each side).  While the pork chops were cooking, I made the glaze in a small saucepan.

I made the glaze to the measurements that Giada recommends--which serves 4, so I have extra glaze sitting in the fridge.  I'm thinking of using the leftovers on salmon tomorrow.  Yum!

After thirty minutes prep and cooking time, Bryan and I sat down to a lunch of epic proportions--these were some seriously big chops that I bought at the store.  I'm very happy with how the pork chops turned out.  They were juicy and perfect, and the glaze was a winner.  I usually shy away from homemade sauces, but this one was so easy and absolutely delicious--even without the rosemary (I decided not to purchase any from the store and hope that the sauce would turn out okay without it).

Homemade pork chops?  A total snap.  I'll be making these again sometime soon.

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Honu Swim

I'm feeling a little under the weather, but it's too hot to sit around the house, so I took Bryan's suggestion and went to the beach.

I ran into some friends on the beach, so I camped my gear by theirs and headed right into the water for a swim.

The moment I kicked a few strokes out from the beach, I was greeted by this very friendly, very curious honu or sea turtle.

He swam under and around me, then circled away before swooping back towards me.  He seemed to be especially interested in my toes.

{charging towards my toes!}

{shaka with honu}

{there were a few instances that he got so close, I had to quickly back peddle so we didn't collide--it's a big no-no to touch sea turtles, so I tried to give him his space}

{close enough to touch--but don't worry! I didn't!}

{swimming over a fishing line}

{cruising away}

{a short, wobbly video of swimming with my curious honu friend}

After he swam away, I took off to explore the reef a little.

After my snorkel, I got out to sunbathe and chat with my friends.  After a bit, we all got back in and my turtle friend was still hanging out.  I swam with him for a bit.

Note to self: sick days are always better when spent under the water.

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Sunsets and Pau Hanas

The sunset was pretty epic at work last night.  It was impossible to resist snapping a photo, even though phones are a no-no on the floor, I grabbed mine anyway and got a couple of snaps.

One of my last tables left me a glass of wine, so I took that down to the bar.

I enjoyed my pau hana (translation: after work drink) with some good grub at the bar.

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Star Noodle

Last week, Bryan deemed Star Noodle a safe destination to dine now that the summer crowds are gone.   Star Noodle has always been a hotspot in town, but business has really blown up ever since their former executive chef, Sheldon Simeon, was a major contestant on Top Chef last season.

Now that summer is officially over, there's been a slight lull in traffic at the restaurant, so Bryan and I snuck in and snagged a couple of seats at the bar.  And then we ordered up a storm.

{Bacon and Eggs--done Star style: pork belly with a poached egg in a sizzling skillet}

{pork belly on my plate}

{the best Pad Thai in town}

{shrimp tempura}

{pork belly steamed buns}

{that night's special: more pork belly served on a risotto with baby bok choy}

We may have possibly overdone it on the pork belly...pork belly three ways! But it was totally worth it.

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A Clear Day At Iao

A few of us girls from the house hopped into a car and drove to Iao Valley to revisit one of my favorite hikes.

The sunshine held on strong, and the clouds stayed away, so we had a fantastically clear day at Iao.

{a slightly unfocused shot of the Iao Needle}

{a stack of prayer rocks on the trail}

{a monster 'shroom growing out of a tree}

{a whole lotta ferns on this hike}

The Iao hike is one of the best foraging trails around.  We snacked on strawberry guavas and of course, Hawaiian wild raspberries, which Jess just informed me are technically called thimbleberries.

{a handful of thimbleberries and pooch Bella}

{ginger blossoms}

{Alexa and Jess climbing to the top}

{Alexa}

{monkeying around}

{trekking back down}

After our quick trip back down the trail to the Iao Valley park, we scooted off the paved path and down to a watering hole to cool off.

{looking down into the crystal clear water}

{Alexa}

{Jess}

{Bella}

{me}

A bumpy video of the swimming pool:

{a frond underwater}

{getting chilly--getting out!}

Post hiking treats:

Lunch and PIE! at Leoda's on our way back home.  The Banana Cream Tart that we all dug into before our sandwiches arrived to the table, is seriously one of the most scrumptious things I've eaten in a long time.  The dusting of graham cracker crumbs around the outside of the pudding, with the thick layer of banana custard over the cookie crust made the most perfect dessert.  Move over Strawberry Cream Tart, I've got a new favorite at Leoda's now!

After we got home, I called down to the used bookstore at The Wharf to tell them I was coming to browse and buy and to please, please, please not close early (I got totally shut out when I tried to hit them up yesterday afternoon).

I may have a slight book buying problem:

But you can hardly feel guilty when you get 8 books for fifteen bucks.  See everyone, I can bargain shop!

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