We sailed into Maui this morning, docking about 8 AM.  Our shore excursion today was to Haleakala National Park, site of the Haleakala crater, the rim of which is 10,023 feet above sea level.   The drive getting there was awesome as the road to the rim is considered the highest climb in the shortest distance in the US, with too many switchbacks to count.  We drove through sugar cane fields at the bottom, then ranch land, through the clouds, above the clouds, and finally to the rim.  Enroute we saw pheasants, avocado trees, macadamia nut trees, many varieties of tropical flowers, and a chukkar at the top.  After reaching the Haleakala Visitor Center at 9,740 feet, we climbed another 283 feet to near the summit at 10,023 feet.  The views were spectacular, reminding us of Kodachrome Basin in Denali National Park in Alaska.

While it seems that we’ve been on the ship for several days, this is only our 2nd day.  After long naps, we had a mediocre dinner and once again, service was less than desirable, particularly for the little things like re-filling our water glasses, bringing coffee to the table, etc.  We caught three shows which were very good.  The cruise director is a graduate of Julliard, and a former Broadway performer—from Glasgow, Montana.  He is an incredible vocalist and sang several Broadway show songs.  Our next show included several Polynesians demonstrating native dances from Hawaii, Tonga, Fiji, Tahiti, and New Zealand, and they were quite entertaining.  We ended the evening with an RCA recording artist doing a Beatles tribute.  He was just OK, but we sure enjoyed listening to Beatles songs from the 1960s and early 1970s—that was 50 years ago folks—we’re getting old!
Kay’s Take:  Those of you who have been following our travels may remember that I have agoraphobia (fear of heights).  Donald has been slowly acclimating me each trip we take.  This tour didn’t bother me at all.  Well,  I still won’t stand on the edge of a 3,000 ft. dropoff, but I think that is just good common sense!  Not even for a great picture opportunity.  Nosiree!!  Our driver and guide, Henry, was a native of Maui and he was wonderful.  So full of history, stories, and humor.  He made the 1+ hr. drive up and down very entertaining and educational.  I found out that the ‘private’ Hawaiian Island (long name and starts with an N) is owned by a family named Baldwin and they allow no visitors to the island – dedicated to preserving the natural resource that it is in its pristine & natural state.  Did you know there aren’t any snakes on any of the Hawaiian Islands?  My son would love this place! hehehehe!  They do have mongooses, though.  Funny, usually mongooses control the snake population; but they were brought to the islands to control the rat population that was damaging the sugar cane in the fields.  That didn’t work – mongooses hunt during the day/sleep at night; rats sleep during the day and hunt at night.  Never ran across each other!  Best laid plans of mice & men again!  Well, we both were exhausted and we crashed & burned this afternoon for a good long nap.  We’re going to a late dinner, then to a Broadway tunes show at 8:00 in the Mardi Gras theatre before proceeding to the Hollywood Theatre for the 9:00 production of the Polynesian Showcase.  May be a late night.  We’re thinking about renting a car tomorrow and touring Maui on our own before we sail at 5:00 for Hilo.  We’re hoping to see Lahaina and maybe Wailea and the great beaches on the south side.