Day 2 - May 3, 2009

The next morning, Diane was up early, got us bagels and made coffee with the machine in the room. Diane turned over the tablecloth on the balcony outside and we had our second al-fresco dining experience. However, good as it was, this era of $4 bagels and $3 Cokes needs to end. We decide to go out shopping in order to break this black-market strangle-hold once and for all. We journey up through Kihei and find a Long's Drugs with everything we need. Along the way, we had spotted "Life's a Beach" restaurant which Diane said someone told her was good. Sensing another "Satisfied Frog" in the making, I am able to talk her into a place right next door called WokStar which is an asian fusion sort of place with a very nice menu. Diane gets a chicken satay with peanut dipping sauce, brown rice, while I get an Indo noodle bowl with shrimp and peanut sauce. The beach bum dude with the macbook sitting outside enjoying the free WiFi informs us that everything on the menu is good. I believe him. The food is amazing. The ambiance is beachy-eclectic, which means picnic tables and pillows for your ass. But the food is really quick and good. We head back to the resort very satisfied.

We spend the next few hours at the pool, getting sunburned. Diane tries unsuccessfully to communicate with the towel-attendant girl, and finally concludes she is deaf. We debate and for dinner decide to try Nick's Fishmarket Grill which is about 20 yards from where we'd spend the afternoon lounging by the pool. Nick's is very nice, service is pleasant and prompt. They take very good care of us. We order calamari and some wine, both are very good. Diane decides to try the diver scallops and I get a the grilled ahi mignon. I can tell after her first bite that a switch is forthcoming. The warm-jello-cube texture of the sea scallops is not a huge hit 90 degrees to my right. I try offering polenta fries, but they're very garlicky and she's enthralled by her herb gnocchi. Once again a meal is saved by a backup side dish. If only chefs across the world could recognize the power of this dynamic.