SGR Hawaii Tours Archives

Above The Clouds. Haleakala Sunrise

January 26, 2013

Haleakala, known as the House of Sun is one of the natural wonders of Maui.
It was majestic as we experience the energy of the sun as we stand at
10,023 feet above sea level.

Our journey to Haleakala was unforgettable. To watch the Sunrise, we started our drive around 4;30 am (we live about 2500 feet above sea level). Sunrise time was at 6:47. It is recommended to be at the park 1-1/2 hrs before sunrise. Also, the park closes the lot when it gets full.
It took us an hour to drive up Haleakala. It was very dark and varying winding roads.

It seems we were the only one on the road but once we reached the park entrance (where you pay $10/car) there were so many cars. Ten more miles of driving the winding road we reached the observation lot. Due to the elevation, we had to rest inside the car (my mom was a bit dizzy from the drive). When we got out, it was windy and cold (the temp was in the upper 30’s) but my peeps were dressed appropriately. There were so many people already standing at “the perfect spot” to watch the Sunrise.

The photos above where taken from our drive down …
but just imagine driving this in the dark. See the CLOUDS …

Incredible to see the progression of the sun as it rises.

Watching the Sunrise above the clouds in Haleakala was a unique and memorable experience.

Seeing the clouds from below rather than from the above was incredible.
It is quite hard to convey the appropriate words …
just made us wonder if we’ve seen a glimpse of Heaven.

Grateful to witness this breathtaking experience.
Mother Nature truly can still bring tears to your eyes.
Watching the Sunrise over the ocean from the crater of Haleakala is awe-inspiring beautiful moment that we will treasure forever.

If you visit Maui, plan to see the Haleakala Sunrise.
It is a guaranteed memorable stunning experience.
… the sublimest spectacle I ever witnessed and … the memory of it will remain with me always.”
by Mark Twain when he visited Haleakala in 1886.

Hope you enjoyed another edition of Sugar’s Golden Tours, HALEAKALA, Maui, HI

* Dogs were allowed to enter the park but not on the trail (in respect to the ground-nesting birds, plants and other animals). Photos of ME were taken from one of the lookout at about 9,324 feet above sea level.*
More photos of me from yesterday’s post. If you missed it, click here.

Visit my Golden Tours Page to check out previous posts.

Lots of Golden L♥VE n Woofs
SUGAR

Glimpse Of A Beautiful Buddha

January 18, 2013

Behind this fence, bushes and trees is a Amida Buddha, the largest of its kind outside Japan.
It is located in Lahaina, Maui HI (Mala Warf) and known as the
Lahaina Jodo Mission, Buddhist Temple
Not many see this place as beautiful. Very few visitors of the island would put this place as must-see attraction. Well, we find Buddha as Beautiful and delighted to show you the grounds of Lahaina Jodo Mission, Buddhist Temple

There were no signs that dogs are not allowed.
However, in respect to a very symbolic surroundings mom asked me to stay at the front entrance while she takes photos of the grounds. Mom also said there no photos of me will be taken inside the grounds. From where I was standing, I did see the side profile of the Amida Buddha, the Buddha of Infinite Light and the embodiment of compassion and wisdom.

It my pleasure to share you some of the photos my mom took while I waited for her.

The Amida Buddha and the Temple Bell were completed in June 1968, in commemoration of the Centennial Celebration of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. The temple bell weighs 3000 lbs that is rung 11 times each evening at 8PM, with each ring having a significant meaning.
Amida Buddha was cast in Kyoto, Japan( 1967-1968). It is made of copper and bronze, stands 12 feet high and weighs approximately three and one-half tons.

In 1970, the main Temple and Pagoda were built with the help of the public and generosity of the members of the mission.
The temple is beautiful and consist of unique Buddhist architectural structures.
One of the interesting features is the solid copper shingles which cover the roof of both temple and pagoda. All of these shingles were individually formed by hand and are interlocked on all four sides to make a solid copper sheathing.
Second feature is inside the temple, where you’ll see beautiful floral ceiling paintings by a Japanese artist Hajin Iwasaki.

It’s a functioning temple as we see many temple goers on the weekend.
It’s a serene place to visit during the week.

If you plan to be in Maui find some time to visit Jodo Mission and see a glimpse of the beautiful Amida Buddha.

Hope you enjoyed another edition of Sugar’s Golden Tours, Lahaina, Maui, HI

Visit my Golden Tours Page to check out previous posts.

Lots of Golden L♥VE n Woofs
SUGAR

Woof! Woof! At The Beaches Of Maui

January 17, 2013

It’s been 295 days since I’ve enjoyed the beauty of Maui, HI. As many of you can guess, my favorite is the OCEAN. Maui has hundreds of beaches, black sand, golden sand, red sand and white sand. These beaches are excellent for swimming and other water sports like snorkeling, surfing, stand up paddle, and windsurfing. Many of these beaches are also great for just hanging out. I’ve visited many of these beaches. My (loud) WOOF WOOF became my peeps indicator if the beach has passed my Golden Satisfaction.

I’m sharing my Top 5 Favorite Maui Beaches.

5. H.A. Baldwin Beach Park: The first white sand beach I visited. It is located in Paia, North Shore Maui known for its wave. You can just imagine when I saw the ocean for the very first time … Golden Zoomies. I tackled the waves immediately. Oh when its windy, its really WINDY.
It’s a long beach. Mom and I ran/walked the whole stretch of the beach twice. Some parts of the beach on certain times were scares of people and mom did not feel safe to continue to run/walk. Towards the end of the beach, there’s a baby lagoon and it’s red sand. It’s beautiful and of course I gave it a shot to swim but due to the sand and wind it was not fully enjoyable. My Halloween Photo Shoot was taken from this beach.

4. D.T. Fleming Beach Park: It’s actually my mom’s favorite beach. It is located on the West Side of Maui, north of the Ritz-Carlton. It’s a beach we often pass when we walk the Kapalua Trail. Usually, the waves are BIG which is good for body boarders and surfers. I’m not a fan of water accessories so no boogie boards for me. This beach is FUN just to hangout too. You’ll hear happy screams from the boogie boarders. My e-card Holiday Photo shoot was shot on this beach.

3. Kapalua Bay Beach: It was the first of Maui’s beaches to be named “America’s Best Beach” in 1991. A beautiful beach that we often pass on our walk. It is a well maintained beach which is great for snorkeling. Lots of the reef protects much of the area from high waves and strong currents. Thus, its not a good beach for me to swim. With the amazing view, we often hang out on this beach. My Shaka (Hangloose) photo was taken from this beach.

2. Ironwood Beach: Featured beach on my post Wish Granted, ChuckIt to the Test. It is a small and secluded white sand beach. Beautiful view of the island of Molokai. It can get very windy and the waves are usually high (popular for surfers and boogie boarders). Golden FUN for ME!
The waves might be high but it gets gentle as it comes to the shore.
You can just imagine the intensity of my WOOF! WOOF!
My I Believe I Can Fly photo was taken from this beach.

1. Ali’i Kahekili Nui Ahumanu Beach Park: It is also known as Kehekili Beach, Airport Beach and North Ka’anapali Beach which stretches north from the Black Rock.
My FAVORITE Beach!
The photo I entered to the MHS 2013 calendar which is also my 2013 Holiday Card was taken from this beach. It is a lively beach where many enjoy snorkeling, canoeing and stand up paddle. During the days I swim, a group of local seniors swim too
(its amazing to watch them as they swim the whole stretch, just like I do).
Fun part is when we reach the North side of the Black Rock, we always touch a rock.
WHY? I LOVE this beach … The Sand is GOLDEN!

Hope you enjoyed this post especially for those of you that are in the midst of COLD Winter.
Hope it provides you some warmth and feel a slice of the island paradise life.

If you visit Maui make sure to check out these beaches.
Hope you enjoyed another edition of Sugar’s Golden Tours, Beaches of Maui

Visit my Golden Tours Page to check out previous posts.

Lots of Golden L♥VE n Woofs
SUGAR

{This Moment} See Beautiful: HANA, A Drive of a Lifetime

January 11, 2013

FOCUS on the BEAUTY of the JOURNEY, not the destination.
620 curves and 59 bridges (46 are one-lane bridges) are the main highlights one will experience driving the Road to Hana.
Hana is a serene town located along Maui HI rugged eastern coastline.
Hana is regarded as one of the last unspoiled Hawaiian land.

The Road to Hana, snake-like highway, can be challenging to navigate. It is jokingly known as the “Divorce Highway.” WHY? for the relationship it can take on both the driver and the passenger who typically helps with the navigation.

Nevertheless, besides the surprising twist and turns
the beautiful scenery can also be distracting.
If you are a passenger, it is so worthwhile to roll down your window,
feel the rush of wind and view the beauty as it passes you.
There is so much beauty to experience and see.
There’s not enough words and/or photos to describe the journey on the Road to Hana.
The Road to Hana is considered (magazine/book publications) to be one of the
DRIVES of a Lifetime.
It is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places to visit.
If you plan to visit Maui, the BEAUTY of Road to Hana awaits you.

The Road to Hana made us think of LIFE.
Life with roads of hardships accompanied by joyful beautiful moments.

{This Moment} See Beautiful is a once a month Blog Hop, every 2nd Friday of the month. simply create a blog post that made your day, week, and/or month … inspiring you in Seeing Beauty. Blog Hop inspired by See Beautiful.

Click Here to read our Invitational Post.
Our next {This Moment} See Beautiful Blog Hop is on
Friday, February 8th. Hope you can join us.

To read our previous posts {This Moment} See Beautiful click here.

Happy Seeing Beauty!

Lots of Golden L♥VE n Woofs
SUGAR

Thank You for joining {This Moment} See Beautiful Blog Hop 1/11/13. Please be respectful of this blog hop, only add your blog if your post is related to {This Moment} See Beautiful.

Walking The Kapalua Coastal Trail

January 5, 2013

One of my favorite walks is the Kapalua Coastal Trail.
It is suppose to be a hiking trail but not really.
I walk this trail twice a week. It is a beautiful scenic walk.
It’s located on the western tip of Maui, Kapalua. (If you missed our Kapalua blog post, click here.)
The trail starts at Kapalua Bay (voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the world)
and ends at DT Fleming (voted as the best beach in America for 11 times).
It’s a 3.5 mile walk (back n forth) but due to the scenery it does not feel like it.

There are times our walk gets extended as my Golden friend Haley is also on the trail.
We usually stop on the path by the Ritz residence and chat.
Surely a pleasant sight to take a break and share stories of our Golden adventures.

On the trail, it is stunningly beautiful to look out at the black lava rocks, varying ocean shades of turquoise blue, tall swaying palms, and sandy crescent beaches. On a clear day, you’ll also see the island of Molakai. One reason my mom always carries her camera on our walks. The path is the same but the scenery changes particular the color of the sky.

One part of trail does not allow dogs due to nesting seabirds.
I totally respect and understand, so I don’t mind walking on of separate path of green grass.

My mom loves going on the rocky path and she always takes many photos.
Check out one of the rock photo she took, it looks like a frog.

Always Golden FUN walking the Kapalua Coastal Trail.
If you visit Maui, find some time to walk this trail. Make sure to bring your camera.
You’ll love the breeze in your face and the beautiful scenery.

Hope you enjoyed another edition of Sugar’s Golden Tours, Kapalua, Maui, HI

Visit my Golden Tours Page to check out previous posts.

Lots of Golden L♥VE n Woofs
SUGAR

Above The Clouds. Haleakala Sunrise

Glimpse Of A Beautiful Buddha

Woof! Woof! At The Beaches Of Maui

{This Moment} See Beautiful: HANA, A Drive of a Lifetime

Walking The Kapalua Coastal Trail

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