Hawaii, episode 8. In which we are hui pu with nature.

Now that I see the above photo again after eight years, it reminds me so much of our more recent (2017) souvenir photo from one of the black sand beaches in Iceland.

FYI, my pineapple shirt did not make the Iceland voyage, although one of my Aloha Stadium Flea favorites did make aloha appearances during our European travels last summer.

Gotta spread the aloha love.

Although oceans apart, these black sand beaches remain for us a reminder of how small a world this pale blue dot can actually be and the six thousand miles (and seven years) separating these photos but a moment in my history. Like that day tour in Iceland, Mari and I would spend our second Maui day exploring the abundant beauty of nature with a welcome overabundance of natural green and blue hues leading the way.

Our second shore excursion in Maui was another full-day adventure which consisted largely of a coastal drive along the very definition of a long and winding road hugging the north shore of Maui fifty miles from our port in Kahului to the easternmost point of the island at Hana.

In case you are wondering, yes, those are surf boards on my shirt.

The Road to Hana is without a doubt one of the most scenic shore excursions offered to NCL cruisers. Even though you are in the capable driving hands of an expert local guide, the drive itself is not for the faint of heart. I have already talked about being from hearty seafaring stock, but if you are prone to landlubbing motion sickness as well, you would do well to avoid the eight-hour long round trip road trip which will bounce you along the narrow but heavenly-viewable shore-hugging route.

Here's a good view of the route you will follow at an island-steady 30 MPH whether you are safely ensconced in a 15-passenger tour van like we were or in your own island rental.

Twists and turns (and turns and twists) and single-lane bridges abound, but the view's the thing and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to ogle tropical views instead of driving warily through them. As much as I enjoy a picturesque driving adventure, there's nothing like sitting back and soaking up the landscape.

Besides, there was a refreshing stop at a local winery along the return route and there would be some local (pineapple wine, of course) refreshment to enjoy as well.

Our heavenly Maui road trip was heavily laden with frequent but brief stops for souvenir photos at lush waterfalls, rainforests, state parks, and beaches. We almost lost Mari (and my new digital camera) to the slippery surrounds of the waterfall she snapped here, so it is definitely a priceless photo.

I thought I would let the photos (and views) do the talking today, so sit right back and you'll see the tale of our island tour unfold.

See ya on the flip side...

Aloha, once again.

If you've been following along (completely engrossed, of course) for the last few years, you realize that this laid-back, let-someone-else-do-the-driving, join-a-tour-group attitude is not really my thing.

No reservations?
No fleamarkets?
No souvenirs?

Okay, there would actually be souvenir shell leis purchased from a local crafter at the perilously photographed falls, but there was no itineraried shopping during our Maui day.

Island life got the better of me, I guess, and somehow managed to make me forget the things I always try too hard to remember.

Mari caught me above in my best auteur pose filming the surf.

Once again, Mari's (lava-sanded) toes are giving you their best high-fives until we meet again to hang ten.

A Big Island aloha next time.