The Effortlessly Beautiful Maui
We can’t think of a better title for this blog as it is such a struggle to find one single adjective to describe Maui, there are simply too many words in mind when talking about this place and some of them are even antonyms of one another. What we’ve experienced is only a small part of what Maui has to offer, but we were already impressed by the diversification of this island.
Day 1: Arrival
Iao Valley State Monument
Straight from the airport, this was our very first stop (other than a Target store to pick up some bottled waters). This is a casual and easy hike trail with great scenery, and it is also our first glance of Maui. The park has a small loop with paved stairs, the hike can be done in about an hour. There’s a beautiful stream coming down from the mountain so definitely bring change of clothes if you want to go into the water. Lots of tropical plants and a rich history to read about, overall a super relaxed yet magnificent view to start our journey.
Day 2
Haleakala National Park
If Iao Valley State Monument is a taste of Maui, Haleakala National Park is definitely a full sense experience, and there’s nothing comparable to this.
Starting from the bottom of volcano, it took us over 2 hours of drive in order to reach the summit that is 10,023 feet above sea level. Though the view along the way was absolutely spectacular, it was indeed a rather difficult drive due to the steep slopes and curves, and it could be harder if you have motion sickness. But nevertheless the experience was so rewarding as in about 2 hours of time, you literally went from being at sea level to above the clouds, overlooking at the ocean, the terrains, the land, the crater, and even more, the world.
Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm
A quick stop on our way back from Haleakala, a beautiful and large lavender garden that easily erased all the exhaust from a long drive.
Day 3
Road to Hana
Even before we actually booked our trip to Maui, we started the discussion of whether we should drive the Road to Hana ourselves or join the famous mini bus tour. And after months of debate, we decided to trust a professional guide to drive us around so we can enjoy the views to the fullest, and we were so glad we chose this option.
Our bus driver picked us up around 7:00 AM in the morning from our hotel, headed straight for a breakfast feast with piled up tropical fruits, and then started off our full day adventure. There are many places we’ve been to where we were able to take stunning pictures to record our trips, but Road to Hana is one of these journeys that photos simply cannot do it any justice because it’s all about the adventure and the experience. Within the 12 hour day trip, we went from coastal beach to rain forest, then to jungles, waterfalls, and cliffs, passed through on countless single lane narrow bridges and twisting turns..
Matter of fact, we don’t even remember how many stops there were along the way, because Road to Hana is not about the destinations, but all about the journey.
Day 4
Molokini Island
Molokini is a crescent shaped small island that is not far from Maui, though you probably cannot get onto the island itself, inside the curve shaped area is a perfect place for snorkeling as it protects the tourists from uncontrollable waves.
Since we’ve been on plenty of snorkeling trips, we opted for something new and famous here at Molokini, snuba! With snuba, we were able to go underneath the sea like scuba diving but instead we breath through long hoses that were connected to compressed air cylinders floating on the surface of the ocean. This was definitely a more intimate experience with the sea compared to snorkeling, and a fun alternative as no scuba certificate required.
Day 5
Nakalele Blowhole
Just like its name, this is a place where the water blows out through a rock hole and makes beautiful splashes. In order to reach this point, there is a short but rather difficult hike downhill with mostly rough terrains, so be prepared to use both your hands to help. The scenery along the way was absolutely stunning, and it may not sound convincing but it was surprisingly fun to simply watch the water blowing out of the hole repeatedly.
Day 6
Black Rock at Kaanapali Beach
Ending our Maui trip with a casual day at resort, we stayed at the Sheraton on Kaanapali Beach and literally right next to our hotel is the Black Rock. It is a nice commercial area with lots of good restaurants nearby, yet it is not over crowded so you can always enjoy a relaxing afternoon or a romantic sunset, and for us it was also a perfect ending to our Maui adventure.