Maui, Hawaii
Heading back from Hana we decided not to take the Hana Highway but drive around the South-East end of the island.
We didn’t ask anyone how to do it, we just saw there was a road on the map and went for it. After a few weeks on the island I figured as long as the ocean was on my left I could figure the rest out.
They sell t-shirts here to say you survived the road to Hana but I really think this is a more dangerous route. Fortunately we have been early risers and there was little traffic and no tourists.
The road was windy and sometimes not paved, we drove ridiculously slow in the beginning as we came around corners on cliffs and there was only room for one lane.
Just a tad stressful.
But past the lushness of Hana County we were rewarded with amazing desert views. On our left was the bluest ocean peppered with lava rock and on our right arid mountains that were deserted except for the occassional cattle crossing.
I loved my time in the Atacama desert in Chile and here I felt like we had stumbled onto something really special that a lot of people don’t get to see. It wasn’t the typical views you would expect in Maui but I think they may be some of the most beautiful.
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I'm Ayngelina and in my mid-thirties. I left an amazing job, boyfriend, apartment and friends to find inspiration in Latin America. I'm creating a new life choosing what I want instead of what other people think I should do.
Admire your ability to always find the unusual and spectacular.
I am quite lucky to have enough time to discover things like this.
It looks otherworldy. Glad you survived it!
It really was fantastic.
These are gorgeous, wow! I want to go back. You’ve had some amazing experiences.
Lisa recently posted..Live a Little: Know When to Move On
This may be one of my favourite experiences, because it was so unexpected.
I’m glad you made it. Roads where you could easily fall off the edge scare me. It does look like some beautiful scenery though!
Ali recently posted..Thoughts on One Year of Unemployment
The first part was scary and I didn’t think my mother’s heart could take it, but I knew if I drove slow enough things would be okay.
Beautiful landscapes. Definitely not what you think of as Hawaii! Would not want to get stuck out there though…
Matthew Karsten recently posted..Travel Banking 101: Protect Your Money
Yeah we made sure we had plenty of gas and passed maybe only 5 cars over the next few hours so it would be rough.
On road with such view you can drive fast anyway
Vi recently posted..Weekly Travel Photo. Outback road in Western Australia
This is definitely not the road to be driving fast on.
Its amazing how one side of the island can be rainforest while the other side is desert. I really wanted to drive that side of the island when I visited Maui but unfortunately it was forbidden by our rental car company. Apparently they get a lot of damaged cars that way.
John recently posted..Travel Rinse Repeat Is Going Abroad
Ahh yes I told them afterwards when we were chatting and they said they “didn’t hear that” – actually doing any bit to Hana is forbidden so they prefer don’t ask don’t tell.
Now that is one road trip! What music did you listen to?
Hawaiian music of course!
Wow, I can’t believe that scenery. If the mountains were a little lighter I’d say those could be the yellow fields of central California! The one-way blind turns in Hawaii are freaky. I’m also not a fan.
Ava Apollo recently posted..Meet Ollie, the Taiwanese Rescue Retriever
I have never really spent any time in California other than in airports, I must change that!
Wow – it looks so untouched, and raw, and beautiful!
A Montrealer Abroad recently posted..Introducing Quebec’s Traditional Cuisine
I know it’s like the land that tourism forgot!
A very good argument for getting off the beaten path! It looks beautiful. You’re really making me want to go back to Hawaii ASAP!
Amanda recently posted..Tips for Visiting Yosemite National Park in One Day
There is so much to discover here, a month will not be enough.
These mountains hilly views look great. I love the feeling of isolation and freedom from the views! Great Pictures!
Chrystal McKay recently posted..Essa-where? Essaouira!
For some reason I’m always drawn to landscapes like this.
I am so glad you did the back road! I’m not sure if I told you to go that way when I flooded you with tips but it really is one of my favorite parts of Maui. So I am glad you got to see it! Loved the photos even if they did make me a bit homesick
Alexandra recently posted..Where To Eat In Maui: Maui’s Best Burger
I think its far better than the Road to Hana but of course you have to do it at least once.
I thought about moving to Hawaii for a year. Then I saw how expensive it can be.
Sexy pictures.
Hogga recently posted..Becoming The Anti Travel Writer
Well it can be less expensive. If you grow your own food and have fruit trees it is definitely less expensive. Gas is about the same as it is in Canada.
You’re killing me with the Hawaii posts. I’ve dreamed of going there since I was a kid. Now I’ve decided it has to happen in the next two years… mark my words
I never had that dream because I thought it was just a cool place to surf but it is really so much more.
This is making me excited for Maui! I’m glad I read the comments because now I won’t tell the rental car company if we go to Hana.
Christy recently posted..Sitting at a Crossroads
They don’t ask and definitely don’t tell!
So so beautiful.
I love taking road trips like this, even though they’re wicked scary sometimes!! They’re always worth it. 
Krista recently posted..Autumn Sunrise and Slow Cooker Chicken with Olives and Red Wine
It is definitely one of the most memorable things we have done on Maui.
Wow, that’s some spectacular views!
Roy Marvelous recently posted..I Had To Cross An Ocean To Realize It’s A Small World
Such an understatement!
That was great picture taking road trips ever! I love the photos and the place as well. So great!
Wow! Those are definitely great place and it is nice to have a great day spent with this place and take a look at its beauty..
One of the most beautiful in Maui.
Is the sky that blue? I mean so dark blue, or is it your camera?
I love the pictures, especially the last one
It really was that blue there! I think because there is nothing but ocean looking back at it. I was shocked at what came out in the photos. The last one is an iphone photo!
Definitely not what I envision when I think of Chile! I love traveling like this, no map, just exploration!
Jeremy recently posted..Waiheke Island is Beachy, Where the Wine Flows and the Hills Roll
Well I should hope it doesn’t look like Chile since it’s Maui
Wow, those are some truly beautiful views.
I love when you take a road to somewhere and you just don’t know what to expect.
Ceri recently posted..Joining the Circus (Part 2)
We were just hoping there would be something at the end of the road.
I love your thirst for adventure!! Looks like the road less traveled ended up being the better route in the end. I think that’s also how life works too.
Meg | One Love Meg recently posted..Surviving the Marrakech Markets
I completely agree, the best things are unexpected.
This road really didn’t agree with me (well, my stomach) when we were in Maui, despite the dramamine. But it’s so beautiful there…
Andrea recently posted..Streik!
Really I’m surprised to hear that from you, do you get car sick often?
Looks spectacular – never expected to see such extraordinary landscapes there.
lara dunston recently posted..London Foodie Competition
Wow, amazing views, shame about the roads though, my partner gets car sick easy.
What an amazing view! Looks winding but manageable
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