And aloha from the good ship NCL Pride of America, on our way to the big island of Hawaii and the port of Hilo. 

Just spent two great days in Maui exploring some of what this island paradise has to offer. 

On Sunday, I explored a bit of the area around the Kahului port where we docked. Not much to speak of, I encountered more roosters than people as I walked. But I found a great beach vantage point for some landscape shots.

The main event for Sunday was a tour to the top of the Haleakala Crater at sunset. Maui has a 7 mile valley between its two volcanic peaks and Haleakala serves as its eastern peak. According to my guidebook, it’s the only place in the world where you can drive from sea level to 10,000 feet in only 38 miles.  Our bus driver / tour guide coached us on combatting altitude issues as we climbed the switchbacks to the national park’s visitors’ center at 7,000 feet. 

A thousand feet later, we broke through for the surreal feeling of driving above the clouds. 

At almost 10,000 feet we reached the crater’s visitors’ center. What an otherworldly sight. With the lava rocks scattered along the ground, it looked like the surface of a different planet.  From this ridge, you can look 3,000 feet into the dormant crater. I was glad I’d brought a jacket, as the sea level temperature of 75F dropped to 55F and windy at the top of the crater.  You can see the big island’s Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea from Haleakala – 80 miles away. 

On the other side of the ridge, the sun was getting ready to set with a crowd gathered to watch.  By 6pm the show was over and we started the 90-minute drive back to sea level.  One of the best cruise excursions I’ve ever done. 

On Monday, whale watching was on my itinerary – something I’d never done before.  A bus brought us to Maaelea harbor and our whale watching boat brought us out in search of humpbacks 🐋.  This is the beginning of Hawaii’s whale season, as the giants make their way from their summer habitats in Alaska during November and December. 

Within thirty minutes, we saw our first geysers as two humpbacks made their presence known. They then saluted us with their dorsal fins. 

A few minutes later, the two breached – leaping out of the water with magnificent force and creating a large splash. I didn’t get a picture of that, but did get video when one of the humpbacks rolled over on its back and started clapping its fins. 

We were very lucky – the marine biologist guides told us it was the best display so far this season. 

On the way back to the ship, we passed by some modular temporary housing set up for the residents who lost homes in the wildfires of Lahaina in 2023.  While we didn’t see Lahaina, our driver told us the rebuilding is underway though it will take a long time to come back. 

Two very special experiences on this beautiful island of Maui.  There are plenty more for future visits, including the Road to Hana and snorkeling at the Molokini Crater.

Excited to see the active volcanoes 🌋 of Hawaii tomorrow.