Maui, Hawai'i

Our first port of call on this cruise on the Norwegian Jewel was the island of Maui in Hawai'i, USA. We really enjoyed the early morning arrival and it promised to be a great day.

After we had picked up the rental car for the day we drove to the ʻĪao Valley on the island of Maui in Hawai'i, USA. This early in the day there were not too many visitors so we were able to park easily. Here waving from the bridge on our way to the scenic viewpoint.

The ʻĪao Valley on the island of Maui in Hawai'i, USA was a sight to behold. We were treated to some impressive mountains and of course the iconic ʻĪao Needle stood out. We had not visited this part of the island in 2007 so were glad we got the opportunity this time around.

In general volcanic islands have interesting mountains, usually the remains of collapsed craters. The island of Maui in Hawai'i, USA is no different. The ʻĪao Valley is home to the iconic ʻĪao Needle.

One thing we definitely wanted to do on the island of Maui in Hawai'i, USA was to visit Haleakala National Park. We had been here in 2007. It's quite a drive up to the summit but absolutely worth it and I had calculated we could do it within the day we had on the island.

Haleakalā, or the East Maui Volcano, is a massive, active shield volcano that forms more than 75% of the Hawaiian island of Maui. From the summit one looks down into a massive depression some 11,25 km across, 3,2 km wide, and nearly 800 m deep. The surrounding walls are steep and the interior is mostly barren-looking with a scattering of volcanic cones.

Haleakala National Park on the island of Maui in Hawai'i, USA is at a high elevation. The tallest peak of Haleakalā ("House of the sun"), at 10.023 feet (3.055 m), is Puʻu ʻUlaʻula (Red Hill). On our drive up to the top we already drove through the clouds and we ended up high above the clouds.

Just like I did a little over twelve years ago I started walking in the crater at Haleakala National Park on the island of Maui in Hawai'i, USA. It is actually possible to walk all the way down to the end, the path can be seen on the right of the photo. That does take an awful lot of time though, time we did not have so I just went for a short walk. As soon as you step inside the crater all sounds seem to disappear.

It is hard not to be overwhelmed when looking inside the Haleakala volcano on the island of Maui in Hawai'i, USA. The volcanic cones, some large, some smaller, that can be seen everywhere are totally awesome and each is different.

The bumpy crater floor inside the Haleakala volcano on the island of Maui in Hawai'i, USA. It is mostly barren-looking with a scattering of volcanic cones popping up everywhere.

Vegetation of any kind is hard to find inside the crater at Haleakala National Park on the island of Maui in Hawai'i, USA). This rare shrub is the only one I came across on my walk through this barren landscape.

Another spectacular sight while walking inside the massive crater at Haleakala National Park on the island of Maui in Hawai'i, USA. Given the short time we were here there was not enough time to explore further down.

Back at the cruise ship Norwegian Jewel in the harbor of Kahului on the island of Maui in Hawai'i, USA. We had an awesome day on the island and got to do all the things we wanted. Great time for some cocktails now!