Aloha from Maui! I was meant to be flying back to New York as this post went live, but instead I’m still entrenched happily in Hawaii. Some opportunities have come up, Hawaiian Airlines has a stomach-able change fee, the East Coast is too cold, and I’m having too much fun… so that’s why I’m staying put for now.
This morning I went for a run and I had the ocean on one side of me, and beautiful mountains on the other. I’ve never really believed in this whole “runner’s high” nonsense but I admit that I had a feeling pretty close to pure joy wash over me. I feel so grateful for the flexibility and spontaneity my lifestyle allows, for the beautiful things I’ve seen and done here in Hawaii, and for the wonderful friends I have here, new and old. I’m in a great place — literally and metaphorically.
I feel like I’ve been inundating you with photo choices lately, but Maui has been a more relaxed experience thus far, meaning less photos for me to narrow down and for you to eventually choose from!
Photo A
One exception from the whole “laid back in Maui” vibe I have going on was the 12 mile hike I did into and out of Haleakalā Crater. It was fairly brutal towards the end and I was sore for a few days, but the beautiful sunset that evening from the summit was worth every step. Sunset photos can be fairly stale and monotonous, but I love this different perspective.
Photo B
A huge part of my love for Maui has to do with Banana Bungalow Hostel, where I stayed for five days before going to stay with my aunt and uncle in Lahaina for another five, and where I’m heading back to today. You’ll be hearing a lot more about this place!
Photo C
My friend Kyle has lived in Maui his whole life and is currently writing a guidebook on the island! So when he took me diving on Lanai with his employer Trilogy Excursions, I knew it was going to be good. It was better — I saw a frogfish, swam through a lava tube and saw the most pristine beach I’ve laid eyes on in Hawaii.
Hopefully this week it’s easier to choose with more narrowed down options! Which photo is your favorite?
Pssst! Check out my newest post at Eagle Creek on the Top Five Adventure Activities in Southeast Asia!
Pic A! I have seen many sunsets but none like this one, simply amazing! Love the way you took the photo.
Thanks Stephanie! I’ve seen some great ones too but this was the most amazing of all, I think. I didn’t play with the saturation at all… it really looked like that!
A all the way! Gorgeous. Enjoy your extended time in Maui!
Thanks Heather 🙂 I just realized this delays our camera sending plans! If you can wait until November great but if you want it sent before that just send me an email and I’ll get my momma to pop it in the mail!
No worries at all! If you can hold onto it until a bit later in November (~20th), that would be awesome, as I’ll be out of town anyway. Thanks!
Hey Heather, no problem! Just email me when you get back? I’m so absentminded!
That first shot is special. Beautiful.
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Thanks Annie! Appreciate your vote 🙂
A for me, too. Lovely photo.
Seems like a clear winner! Thanks for voting!
Photo A!!
Well, its official. It’s a landslide victory for A!
Has to be A!
Looks like I should start posting more sunset photos! Definitely a major consensus this week 🙂
C – Guess I’m a bit different – must be my age. Reminds me of things from my past that I’d forgotten
Glad to see some love for the other photos this week! 🙂
I LOVE SILHOUETTE PHOTOS!!!! It is PERFECT and Rainbow – Incredible. Lucky you being in Hawaii!
Chrystal McKay recently posted..Where to Hike in Northwestern Ontario
Thanks Chrystal! I try to remind myself every single morning how happy I am to be here!
The first photo is stunning!! Love it!
Thanks Dani! Sounds like I need to make a print out of that one!
A—-unbelievable beauty,
but I do believe it! God is so good!
A definitely! Im a sucker for a beautiful sunset, but those silhouettes do it for me. Glad you are having a blast!
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A for the sunset and the silhouettes. Very cool.
You’ve got to have the human element in there to make it a really great photography, I’m told!
I love C, the fish literally looks like a piece of coral!
Ashley of Ashley Abroad recently posted..A Traveler’s Confession – Camera Lust
That’s what makes them such a great find… they are so hard to spot!
A all the way! It takes my breath away!
Thank you so much Betsy!
Love, love, love photo A. Reminds me of the statues on Easter Island for some reason. Love them all (as always) but really love A.
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Do you read Andi of My Beautiful Adventures? When I took this photo I was thinking of one that she took at Easter Island — maybe you’ve seen the same one! Maybe I should give her some credit 🙂
Haha, I do! Andi’s photo is exactly the one I thought of when I saw yours and one of my most favorite travel photos.
Cat recently posted..White – #FriFotos Theme
Love them! Think I have to go with the first one. Incredible!
That’s high praise coming from a professional photographer! Thanks Kelli!
Without a doubt it has to be A – possibly the best sunset shot I have ever seen 🙂
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Wow, thanks Hannah! What a compliment! I will admit its definitely the best one I’ve ever taken.
Photo A is amazing! But at the same time, I go for Photo C, as it’s exactly where I was just a few months ago. Or at least it looks a lot like Manele Bay, and I know the Trilogy boat goes there. You’re so lucky to be in Hawaii now! Wish I could go back..
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Photo C was taken at the Four Seasons beach in Lanai… beautiful! Believe me, I wake up every single day and remind myself how lucky I am to be in Hawaii!
You may be taking fewer photos this week, but you’re not making it easy to pick a clear winner, they’re ALL great!!! I get the whole sunset silhouette position, but man, that beach sure is compelling! I’ll buck the tide and go for the beach,…C !!!!!
Always good to hear a dissenting opinion! Another one for the beach 🙂
Awesome! Great eye for photography. Hawaii is the only state I haven’t been to yet. Is Photo C the frogfish?
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Indeed! He’s kind of hiding in there… they are hard to spot 🙂
Tardy response, but AAAAAAA!!!
Is that a scream, or a vote for Photo A? 🙂
Very Cool! I have never heard of such a fish. Great picture!
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