Heli Tour around Maui

I have seen Maui thru many different points of view.   Whether it is mountain bikin down Poli Poli, hitchin up south Kihei road or just viewing the humpack whales playing in the pacific.  Today was an eye opening, if not popping experience.  Thanks to our friends Scott and Patrick, we saw Maui in all its glory.

We were high above the clouds, often times in them, soaring with the birds in a contraption that many would not have thought possible less than a hundred years ago.   Not sure if it is an old wives tale, or just something I think I saw on television, but I have always been under the impresion that there is no scientific proof, or theory as to why helicopters are able to fly.  Also, having lived on Maui for a year three years ago, I heard the news of how many of the new fangled contraptions had crashed.  All of the knolwledge was spared from my friends and luv until the journey was completed and we were safely back on the ground by our automobile.  They all seemed rather thankful that I didn't share with them my "Intelligence" on the subject. 

The whole adventure was a surprise that Shan and I had known about since landing four days ago.  While we didn't know what S/P had in store for us, we were told that we needed to wear dark clothing, possible dress warm and to wear shoes.  We had our thoughts, but were definately thrown by the clothing part.  Upon arriving to the heliport, smiles, along with some nervous jitters filled us.  Neither Shan or I have ever been in a helicopter before.  The tour was done by Blue Hawaiian.  Not to plug the company or anything, but they did a great job.  The pilot was great, even though I have seen more controls on video games.  The tour that we had brought us around the whole Island.  We started by flying imbetween the valleys of the west maui mountains.  Now is the time that I should tell you that my words are insufficient and mundane when trying to express the beauty that we saw today, yet for the sake of the blog I will try.   In the WMM's we saw a series of waterfalls that was called tear drops.  It appeared that the mountain was havin a slightly emotional day and that tears were falling down its face.  They must of been tears of joy and utter happiness because we were all filled with peace and awe at what we were witnessing.  From the WMM's we went over a couple of razorback ridges and saw Iao valley and the Iao needle (Story will follow when we hike it).  Beauty on top of beauty.  We then went over Kihei, saw Makena beach, the Gran Wailea and everthing imbetween.  Seeing the waterfalls in Hana that aren't accessible by car or even foot brought a sense of joy to my heart to know that somethings are still pure.  We were able to see the origins and numerous pools that gave the falls the strength to inspire and make one believe in everything pure and simple.

Sorry for cutting the description short, but I feel that I am fighting an losing battle trying to justify what we saw.  To sum the day up, the weather was gorgeous, not to much VOG (volcanic gas brought in with the Kona winds) and we were able to see the entire island in a couple of hours. The ride it self was a total thrill.  There isn't to much to a helicopter and it feels as if you are floating in a little bubble that some child just dispersed into the atmosphere.  Smiles, know matter how nervous, were on everyone's face.  It was a first time experience spent with great friends and we will not soon forget it.

Tomorrow we will travel to Hana by car and tell of more that Maui is providing us with.