Summary
We arrived in Hawaii during the early hours of the morning after an extensive journey that commenced in London, included a layover in Vancouver, and concluded on the stunning island of Maui. One might assume that after such a long trip, restful sleep would be a priority; however, that was not the case.
This journey had been planned for over six months, and the anticipation grew with each passing week. Additionally, the prospect of our stay at the Fairmont Kea Lani fueled my excitement, compelling me to explore every corner of our new abode over the coming days.
And explore, I did!
The Fairmont Kea Lani exceeded our expectations! We enjoyed a two-bedroom villa that spanned two levels, complete with a kitchen, a private pool mere meters from the beach, a separate living area, dining space, and bathrooms that were more spacious than some London apartments! 😄
We quickly acclimated to the ambiance here!
Following a brief swim in the pool and enjoying a couple of beverages, we concluded our day and retired to our rooms.
As a quick aside, if traveling to Hawaii from Europe—a distant locale—consider turning this into an extended vacation. A stopover in San Francisco for a few nights before heading to Hawaii is perfect. Alternatively, you could swap San Francisco for Vancouver, it is an excellent way to maximize your trip on your route over.
Moreover, it is a strategic move to secure fantastic flight deals, as direct flights from London to Hawaii are generally unavailable. Opting for a city in the U.S. or Canada with a better pricing structure can be very beneficial, both financially and in terms of sightseeing opportunities, before continuing to Hawaii.
The following morning, we eagerly set out for breakfast, which, I assure you, was an impressive array of delectable dishes featuring some of my favourite foods!
Breakfast settings like this leave me feeling overwhelmed with delight! 😆 In such scenarios, I typically experience difficulty choosing just one dish, leading me to opt for several—pancakes, waffles, customized omelettes, cinnamon pastries, and a selection of other delightful pastries I had never seen before, along with oats. I made many journeys back to the breakfast buffet before finally deciding to stop, leaving the dining area with a sense of satisfaction.
The Fairmont also features a health-focused juice bar, which I, motivated by my breakfast indulgence, decided to try out (we all did, to be fair)…
…before proceeding to the cabanas, where we planned to relax and enjoy Mai Tais in the sunshine.
Eventually, feeling thoroughly rejuvenated, we set out to explore Maui (after lunch, of course).
There’s a scenic road that traverses the island named the Road to Hana, which requires a day’s commitment to travel. Nevertheless, we decided we should at least experience part of it.
Our first formation was at the Ho’okipa Lookout, where surfers were truly enjoying themselves.
Incredible sight, turtles swimming just below the surfers, apparently quite a common scene in Hawaii!
After a brief sojourn, we proceeded to the Twin Waterfalls (expecting a substantial hike, although disappointing and it only took about five minutes to walk from the car park).
At the time of our visit, the twin waterfalls sadly appeared more singular but nevertheless served as an excellent spot to cool off!
While the waterfalls were somewhat parched, we continued our journey.
Our next destination was Na’ili’ili-haele waterfall, situated further along the Road to Hana.
A visit to this waterfall required a bit more effort (not demanding but certainly a bit longer compared to the Twin Waterfalls), as one traverses through a bamboo forest to reach the stream.
Unfortunately, the waterfall was almost completely dry.
It seems there had been very little rainfall prior to our arrival (which explains the single waterfall scenario).
After this, we reached our vehicle and navigated past the beautiful Rainbow Eucalyptus trees…
…before halting at Ke’Anae, our final stop on the Road to Hana.
Despite the significant driving, we only barely scratched the surface of the Road to Hana (it extends much further), yet we aimed to reach Haleakala in good time to witness the sunset! (Further explanations will follow 😉).
Ke’Anae embodied many aspects of what I anticipated from Hawaii—wild, rugged, and utterly beautiful!
Surging waves collided with the rugged rocks, framed by lush trees, creating a strikingly dramatic vista.
The splendor of this destination was remarkable, and within moments of securing parking, each of us dispersed to capture the breathtaking views from different angles. (I should mention that my companions, Georgia and Chris, joined Lloyd and me).
Mindful of time (especially since we anticipated a lengthy drive back), we eventually decided to return to the vehicle and proceed to Haleakala.
Curious as to why Haleakala carries such significance? It’s the highest point on the island and constitutes roughly 75% of it. However, the allure of Haleakala lies in its uniqueness—it’s one of the few global locations where you can drive to an altitude and witness a sunset above the clouds!
At over 10,000 feet above sea level, the summit is about an hour’s drive from lower elevations, and as you ascend, the temperature significantly drops—much to our surprise as Hawaii novices, resulting in us feeling quite chilly in our beach attire! (I even had a towel draped around my shoulders for a good portion of the time).
However, the initial chill at the summit quickly faded as the sky transitioned into sunset. It was indeed a surreal experience to view the sunset above the clouds, an occurrence everyone should witness while in Hawaii!
Mesmerized by the breathtaking beauty, we absorbed every moment of the shimmering sunset before turning around to appreciate the extraordinary and otherworldly landscape surrounding us.
In our haste to find a perfect viewing spot for the sunset, we had overlooked the chance to stroll around and take in the scene—one that appeared almost extraterrestrial in nature.
In retrospect, we had parked the car swiftly to secure a favorable position for the sunset, thereby not taking the time to explore the magnificent area surrounding us, which truly resembled a different planet.
Concerned about time, especially in light of the return journey, we ultimately decided to hop back into the vehicle and head towards Haleakala.
As we reflected on the outstanding views and the stunning sunset witnessed at Haleakala, we were relieved to be back in the car with the heating set to maximum and traveled back towards the Fairmont for dinner.
Returning to the Fairmont and the familiar tropical warmth we had grown accustomed to, we proceeded to Nick’s Fishmarket for dinner. We promptly enjoyed cocktails (along with a local brew for Chris) before immersing ourselves in a delightful array of seafood and more.
Our meal featured calamari, sushi rolls, lobster, pork steaks, and exquisitely spiced grilled chicken (I find myself hungry simply reminiscing about the meal)!
Hawaii has indeed been unfolding as a tropical paradise, aligning perfectly with our anticipations, and we eagerly look forward to uncovering even more of its charm in the upcoming days.
