We’re definitely not in [Maui] anymore 😯
Always true to form, Edmonton decided to grace us with a lovely dump of springtime snow a few days before I got back from my trip, making me miss the warm, sunny beaches of Hawaii even more than I already was. It’s funny — this might be the first time [in a long time] that I can actually say that I want to go back, and that I miss being on vacation more than I missed my routine while I was away. I’m usually pretty content with coming home, but now? Take me back!
So do you mind if we (read: I) talk about my trip a little bit? So that I can make myself feel a little better and make you want to hop on the next plane out there? And while you’re there, make you want to do this one freaking amazing thing that was probably my favourite part of the entire trip?
You don’t mind? Good! Then let’s talk about watching the sunrise on Haleakala Crater…
I know it looks like it belongs on Mars, but Haleakala is actually the volcano that forms the majority of Maui, and you can watch the sunrise (or sunset) on the rim of the crater at an impressive elevation of 10,o00 feet.
This was actually what I wanted to do most while I was on Maui (beaches, rainforests, whales, and turtles came after), but I wasn’t sure it would happen until we were in car driving up there.
Why? Well… it requires you to wake up at 3 AM, for one thing. We were staying on Ka’anapali beach (west side of the island), which is about a 2 hour drive from the visitor centre on the crater rim. So, a 6:23 sunrise meant leaving the hotel at 4 AM. Good times. In all honesty, though, it’s not all that bad if you take jet lag into account. 3 AM Hawaii time was 7 AM here, which is why it’s a good idea to make the trip on the first few days of your vacation… before your body starts to adjust to the new time.
The more difficult part is actually the drive. It’s pitch black so you have no idea what’s around you, and you’re taking countless switchbacks up the crater. And when I say “countless,” I mean a lot. You can kind of see the road from the map in the picture above, but that doesn’t do it any justice. The road is super curvy, and you might want to pop a Gravol if you’re prone to motion sickness.
It’s also pretty chilly, with temperatures hovering around 7ºC (45°F) before the sun comes up.
But that doesn’t stop tonnes of people from going up there every.single.day…
And it’s not hard to see why — the views that you’re rewarded with are like nothing else that I’ve ever seen…
Right?!? Incredible. Seriously incredible. And the absolute silence of the crowd just adds to the effect. It was so moving, that I literally shed a few tears when the sun first came up over the clouds. No shame. I wish we could have spent more time hiking in the crater, but a few people in our party were having some trouble with the high elevation, so we had to head back down.
The road back was just as curvy, but at least this time we could see what we missed on the way up…
… which I only managed to capture a few shots of because I was too busy focusing on not getting sick 😉
But watching the sun rise over Healakala Crater was seriously an amazing experience and one I’d definitely recommend to anyone planning a trip to Maui. Thanks for reliving it with me!
Do you get motion sickness?
Have you been to Maui? Did you go to Haleakala?
Do you still have snow where you live?
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Wow that view is spectacular! Definitely worth the 3 am wake up.
I’m a sucker for watching sun rises. I remember one time in high school my friend and I went on a bike ride at 5 am for the sole purpose of being able to see the sun rise.
Ohhhh amazing – I did go to Maui but didn’t do this 🙁 but alas maybe thats a sign for another trip across the waters! Looks fabulous!!
So beautiful! I hope to get there one day!
Hawaii just moved up a few notches from the top in Lynne and I’s bucket list! Stunning pictures! 😀
That is God’s painting right there. Wow. I must go if I ever go back to Maui!
I do get quite motion sick, so Dramamine is my BFF on boats and crazy car rides!
It’s funny because I never thought I had motion sickness, but between all the driving and boating, I felt like I was constantly woozy!
Oh, my, GOODNESS! I need to see this in real life.
omg. I am totally linking this to my mate- Those views are ridiculous….
Definitely something worth waking up 3am for. I remember one season of the Amazing race they went to Hawaii and I think half the contestants got motion sickness just driving!
I am still kicking myself for now going to Haleakala while I was in Maui in November! Everyone said it was a crap shoot, and now I keep seeing post after post and I am just kicking myself for not going and listening to the nay sayers! I guess I just have to go back 🙂
Haleakala was incredible when my husband and I went to Maui on our honeymoon almost 18 years ago! We’ve since been back three times (can you say addicted???), and on the last trip, my husband, a cyclist, decided he wanted to ride UP the volcano, instead of down, like the tourists you see cycling down. He and his buddy made it, and I followed taking pictures and enjoying the incredible view. It truly is a magical place. So glad you were able to go!!
I remember seeing a lot of cyclists on the way down and thinking there’s no way I’d be able to make it up that volcano on a bike. HUGE kudos to your husband!
Such an incredible experience. I’m so glad you had an opportunity to do this. You’ll remember it always.
What an amazing view!!!
Hopefully I make it to Hawaii one day!!
We were JUST in Maui—with my kids in December/January and didn’t do anything super touristy because my kids were SO happy with the pool/beach..We were at the Westin Villas–probably close to where you were since both in Ka’anapali. Based on your pics—and despite that fact that I do get motion sickness, I may have to get up at 3am to see Haleakala when we go back next January!
No snow here–live in the desert…86 and sunny today:))
I found it pretty hard to go off and do touristy things as well — just being on the beach in Maui was enough! But definitely check out the crater if you get a chance!
Oh Amanda – wear your tears with pride – lady – that sunrise is stunning – breathtaking – mesmerizing – and fully worth the crazy long in-the-dark-drive ! Wow – I am so glad you posted more pictures! I wanna go back – oops – I meant I wanna go to Maui – even though temps are in the 60s currently here!
Wow, what an amazing view!
BEAUTIFUL!
Before I was dis-invited from a wedding (it’s a long stupid story) I was supposed to be in Hawaii in 2013 and seeing the sunrise from Healakala was on my list. I suppose this means I need to save some pennies and have a do over trip sometime soon!
It looks beautiful, and definitely very Mars like haha. Thanks for sharing those pictures!
I have never been to Hawaii but really would love to – especially because i hear the waves are massive. Hopefully Edmonton will warm up for ya!
I get motion sickness in cars. If I’m the driver, I’m ok. Odd enough is I never have it on airplanes. Trains though yes! I have to be facing the direction the train is moving. I would not have minded getting up early for that sunset!
No motion sickness, unless I am on a boat, then its like 3 days of vertigo once I hit dry land. I have been to Maui twice and Oahu once. I like the speed in Maui much more than Oahu. I did not Haleakala however. Either time. I like the serenity I can get in Maui and when there is crowds of people I just can’t achieve that.
Glad you enjoyed.
Your photos are all absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for sharing these Amanda…I am seriously always impressed by how beautiful your photography is!
Thank you for posting this!! I’ve only been to Oahu but if I ever visit Hawaii again, it’s definitely going to be on Maui. These photos are so beautiful – I literally got goosebumps as I scrolled though your post. I am prone to motion sickness so I’d probably have to take a whole package of Gravol – haha!! Not even kidding. Just reading about the winding roads and elevation made me feel queasy!! I’d totally fight through it for a view like that though. So freaking incredible!!
Oahu was my first Hawaiian island visit as well, and while it was really gorgeous, I think Maui tops it. There’s just a whole different vibe on that island, and it’s a little less commercialized without being completely dead and boring.
So beautiful! Driving that road in the dark was definitely one of the main reasons we decided against it. That and I read that it’s extremely cold up there. I didn’t want to have to pack winter clothes on my tropical vacation. BUT it looks like a once in a lifetime experience so I’m sure all of the trouble is worth it. I hope I get a chance to go back and see it one day!
It was definitely pretty chilly up there. We actually ended up taking a blanket from our hotel room with us so that we could bundle up. But it’s amazing how much warmer it gets as soon as the sun comes up.
Ohhhhh BEAUTIFUL. No, I’ve never been to Maui. We went to Waikiki for our honeymoon, and I’ve been fantasizing about Hawaii ever since. I’ve been other places but nothing compares to Hawaii. I’d do ANYTHING to go to Maui one day!
Waikiki was the first place in Hawaii that I visited as well, and it was tonnes of fun! Maui has a totally different vibe, though. I think it’s my favourite!
So awesome! Thanks for sharing it. I will have to add this to my list if I ever head out to Hawaii.
I’m like you in that I always come home from a sunny, warm vacation to freezing temps and snow.
What kind of beauty routine do you use to preserve your tan? I normally use the Banana Boat Aloe After Sun Lotion which does a good job, but am always looking to try something different!
As of right now I actually don’t have any sort of routine at all because I barely ever tan 😕 I’ll use some tanning creams every once in a while, and St.Tropez has always been a favourite!
GORGEOUS!! It definitely is worth waking up that early. That road though! I hate with all my power those nightmare roads, they scare me and make me sick! No bueno! 🙂
Wow, that is truly amazing! I’ll definitely have to make the trek if I’m ever lucky enough to visit Maui. Thanks for sharing such beautiful pictures!
How beautiful! Definitely on my list of places to visit now!
I do get motion sickness. If I can see where I’m going, its not so bad, but if I can’t, I’m basically green and have my eyes closed the whole time. Fresh air helps too. Definitely no fun!
No snow here, we’ve been in the 60-70 degree range for awhile now!
Those photos are just so fantastically gorgeous. Literally fantastic – like something out of a fantasy dream! I’ve never been to Hawaii but have always wanted to go, and now there’s something on my must-do list when I get there…
Omg. This is amazing. I NEED to do this. Officially on my bucket list!
Okay so that’s just incredible! So pretty. There are still some remaining snow mounds here but hopefully it won’t snow anymore! It last snowed on Saturday but most of that snow melted….I do get motion sickness – I didn’t used to but as I have gotten older, it’s something I have to be careful about – no reading/searching phone in the car, can’t watch tv in a car, and, I feel sick in the back seat on long car rides unless the angle of the seat is “just right”. Don’t ask.
That’s the one thing I didn’t get a chance to do when I was in Maui. It looks amazing and I will definitely do that next time I’m there. Can’t wait to hear more about your trip.
Your pictures make me want to go back! I love hawaii and maui was particularly stunning.
Oh my gosh. Those are AMAZING photos! I just love all of them. Definitely will be on my list of things to do if I ever make it to Maui 😉 Try to stay warm with the snow! We had some yesterday but hoping that is IT!
Wow! That view is incredible. I feel like moments like that just put everything in perspective and make you so grateful.
Oh wow, that’s beautiful!! Thanks for sharing. I can see why people flock to it.
That view is truly stunning!! I don’t get motion sick very easily, I think it’s a lot of fun to drive very steep and curvy roads 😀 We only had snow for about 2 weeks total this year, in January. Slowly but surely, spring is arriving, the sun is out more often and it gets warmer. Happy days 🙂
Gorgeous! I went to Maui once as a kid and really want to go back!
Yes I do get motion sickness which makes traveling kind of a bummer since I feel likens have to take medicine for everything we do and then I’m out of it the whole time! But that looks way worth waking up early for! Amazing. I really hope to visit there someday 🙂
Sounds amazing!! I definitely want to go!