Spoiled From Above
Less than two hours after landing at the Maui airport, we took off again.
Could there be any more of a stunning introduction to a new destination than to survey it intimately from the air? We were set to fly to the interior and see the famed Haleakala crater, but weather closed in and left no visibility, so instead we were taken up to east coast and over to the nearby island of Molokai. We glided up the coast of Maui, crossed the Pailolo channel, skirted the highest sea cliffs in the world on the north side of Molokai, and swooped in for closer view of giant mantas in the longest coral reef in Hawaii.
<sarcasm> I suppose it would do. </sarcasm>
This excursion may have single-handedly ruined all other destinations for us (at least on the introduction to a place).
Our standards are now WAY high.
Some of these places are entirely not accessible and only able to be seen by the air. I needed a reminder on where the show Lost was filmed (it was on nearby Kauia, not Maui or Molokai), because some sights were so reminiscent of that colossal wilderness.
<more sarcasm> Our future destinations thank you, Maui, for raising the standards so impossibly high. </more sarcasm>
How to do it
We were well taken care of by the friendly and accommodating staff of Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, and were thrilled at the stellar alternative tour offered to the original one (which our pilot even admitted to being his favourite). They even cued up the song Blue Hawaii by Elvis as we took off. How perfect is that?
Where we stayed
From one spectacular introduction to the next, we headed off to the Grand Wailea for the first portion of our stay on Maui. Spoiled, again. It is Hawaii’s premiere resort, for a very good reason. For a review of our stay, please click here.
Many thanks to the Maui Visitors Bureau for having us. As always, all opinions are our own.
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I don’t think everything else will be spoiled (although it is beautiful), lots of over places are lovely too. 🙂
Zoe @ Tales from over the Horizon recently posted..How to Break Down the Language Barrier while Travelling
But now we must demand a helicopter ride each time. 🙂
Amazing pictures, Hawaii always looks so naturally beautiful. Glad you caught that waterfall – I look for them!
It really is one of the most visually spectacular places we’ve visited!
Such an amazing place.
Absolutely gorgeous photos!
Thanks Marie Eve!
Wow, talk about an introduction! You really can’t beat a helicopter tour, especially in a place like that!
Amanda recently posted..Spoiling Myself in Paradise (or What I Did on Koh Lanta)
Wow what an amazing place it does look like the setting of lost! I would love to visit here.
My fiance and I went to Kauai in Jan to visit my sister and we felt exactly the same way. We took a helicopter ride (complete with musical soundtrack) several hours before we departed the island. We would both completely agree, how will anything else ever compare?? 🙂 The Hawaiian islands just have that THING. 😀
They really do. And via helicopter was such an amazing way to see the islands!
Wonderful shots! You were so lucky to have been hosted 🙂 🙂 🙂
Siddhartha Joshi recently posted..Varanasi: bathing men on the ghats
Thanks Sid, but I like to think it has much less to do with luck then the fact that we’ve worked really hard to get to this point.
Um, this post is all kinds of heartbreaking for me since my heli ride was cancelled! But I guess I can stave off my tears with a reminder that I now have a great reason to go back 🙂
Alex recently posted..Meet Me at Gate 32B: A Review of The Stopover App
I have never been in a helicopter and have always thought it would scare the bejsus out of me. BUT if I had scenery like this and a tour like this, I think I could reconsider. How amazing!
I will admit there were moments that my heart was in my throat as we skirted some of the cliffs, but it was REALLY cool. I’m sure you’d love it!
Lucky? Yes, lucky US here at the Maui Visitors Bureau. This is nothing short of AMAZING. Thank you both!!!
A very different perspective on Haleakala and Maui than that that I experienced.
Emme recently posted..Dancing in the Rain at the 2014 CBC Music Festival in this Edition of Monday Moving & Grooving
Awesome!!! Also, your HTML sarcasm tags are wonderfully geeky. Ha! 🙂
Mindy & Ligeia recently posted..A Buddhist Funeral for Mae Tee
I love flying over all those natural places: I did it twice in New Zealand (Rotorua and Queenstown), over Uluru and the 12 Apostles in Australia and over the Grand Canyon.
It always blow my mind.
Now looking forward to one day do it in Maui!
Great photos
Claire @ZigZag On Earth recently posted..Video: Wildlife and landscapes of Namibia
So a no-fly over Haleakala results in flying high over Molokai and beautiful pictures! We took a helicopter flight once over Kauai – and the “Jurassic Park” scenery there was stunning too…
Sand In My Suitcase recently posted..Easy beach days at Viceroy Zihuatanejo
It is understandable if that ruins your expectations for all other places because those views are incredible!! One of a kind experience for sure it looks like. Thanks for sharing!
Vanessa @ Green Global Travel recently posted..MALAYSIA: Bornean Orangutan Conservation at Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre
These helicopter rides always allow for some spectacular pics. I only visited Oahu when in Hawaii, but I would love to go back and visit the other islands!
Great photos and what an amazing experience guys. My first thought when reading this and seeing the images was “Jurassic Park”, because I think that was filmed in Hawaii as well, and looks like you guys got some of the same views from the end of the film when they fly off in the helicopter.