A Self-Guided Maui Tour was the Answer

We sat in the timeshare wondering where to begin. The days laid before us as opportunities but where to start befuddled our minds. My husband and I have traveled extensively but never to Hawaii. We knew we wanted to explore the island but didn't know where to start.

My strategy on any trip is to grab all the brochures that advertise excitement and spread them on the bed as a kaleidoscope of possibilities. In the beginning, I am a tourist looking for adventure so multiple pamphlets with colorful photos and bold headlines spread across the mattress that promise adventure. Caught up in the enthusiasm, I read about helicopter rides, snorkeling, and yoga classes.

Then the elimination process begins. Randy prefers to avoid heights, so I nix the helicopter; I hate putting my head underwater so snorkeling is a no-go. Sure, we could go our separate ways and meet up at the end of the day but after 40 years of marriage, we realize we would miss sitting on the balcony, drinking margaritas, and reliving the day's experiences together. We travel as conjoined twins who are inseparable and like it that way.

Once the pile dwindles to a manageable number of choices, I switch roles from tourist to accountant knowing I will have to balance the books and pay the bills when our escape from reality ends. So activities that would require us to get a second job when we get home become relegated to the circular file. A second job would interrupt our margarita time.

I laid on my back propped by two pillows and explored the details of the tour titled Road to Hana sponsored by Dynamic Tour Maui.

Overview: Hit the world-famous road to Hana during the full-day sightseeing tour of this byway's lush farms, scenic overlooks, and rich Hawaiian history. Try to keep your jaw from dropping as you proceed along this iconic north-Maui route, passing postcard-perfect scenery at Wai'anapanapa State Park, Ho'okipa Beach Park, and Waikani Falls. Continue on to Ke'anae, a historic Hawaiian hamlet known for its fisherman and photo-worthy atmosphere and see the final resting place of aviator Charles Lindbergh.

A guide, round-trip hotel transport, and lunch are all included. Take the 'path less-traveled' on this scenic exploration of the famous road to Hana See the lesser-known sights along this celebrated Maui road Enjoy postcard-perfect views at scenic spots Snap photos of the fishermen in the historic Hawaiian hamlet of Ke'anae from $209.99

What To Expect Itinerary

Stop At: Safeway Be able to grab a cup of coffee and grab whatever supplies are needed for the Adventure Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Hana Highway - Road to Hana 64 miles of the most scenic coastal tour in the world. With 640 turns and curves, 59 single lane bridges made from concrete and steel which was built in early 1900's make this journey more adventurous.

Duration: 10 hours

Though this sounded enticing, the total price of $420.00 sent a shudder up my spine. At this rate, we would have to sell the house when we got home to pay for the trip. I did the math and we would be paying $42.00 an hour to ride in a vehicle packed with other tourist for 10 hours. Thank goodness I came to this conclusion by using simple math or I would have failed at the calculations. Applying my adulting skills, I began searching and discovered an app that orchestrated a self-guided tour for the low, one-time price of $10.00, a $410.00 saving. Again, thank goodness for simple math.

The next morning, we packed a lunch of cheese, crackers, deli meats, grapes, and fruit juice and headed out on our personal adventure. It didn't take long to affirm this decision. We drove without the need of a facemask, talked without eavesdroppers, stopped when we wanted for as long as we desired and had all the advantages of a tour guide with the added control that we could mute the sound whenever we wanted.

The tour began when the soothing voice of a male said, "Aloha and welcome to the Hana Highway." He explained that the app senses the driver's location and shares a map of progress and a blue dot on the map displayed our movements. When we approached an interesting spot an audio message popped up and provided more information including pictures to supplement the dialogue. There were 71 points of interest and if at any time we wanted to explore an area, we simply parked on the side of the road and moved at our own pace.

Historical Information

Scattered throughout the tour, the listener learns about how the island were formed, settled and populated. I enjoyed hearing about the evolution of different kingdoms and finally the development of democracy when Hawaii became a state. True events about battles, a tsunami, the agriculture, and everything associated with Maui answered my questions about who discovered the islands, how the weather effects the residents, and what happened to the sugar cane crops.

Folklore

As an English major, the ancient stories of the natives entertained us and provided insight into the ways of the people prior to modern civilization. The legends and myths explained beliefs about how the gods intervened on earth, with a focus on the philosophy that animals, trees, stones, stars, and clouds have living souls. The virtual tour guide even made a connection to the movie Moana.

Environment

Maui is home to flora and fauna that we had never seen before. Our senses were overwhelmed by the beauty. Prior to this experience, we appreciated the sights, but the lecture empowered us with names, descriptions and a greater understanding of the endemic environment. The rainbow colors of the eucalyptus tree remain my favorite.

Sightseeing

Traveling the road to Hana we investigated less populated areas. I discovered the sand on the beach can be tan, black or red depending upon the mineral formations in the area. We felt the serenity of the ocean as the waves pulsed back and forth and the force on the beach as the power of a breaker crashed onto the rocks.

Randy imitated Tarzan when he discovered the hanging vines really can be used to swing in the trees. When we return I plan to purchase a loincloth so the image can be more authentic. We reveled in the natural sights that surprised us and assaulted or senses on the tour.

If you are faced with a choice about how to explore this area, there are several considerations to aid your decision. The road is narrow with some potholes and obstacles. A driver should be experienced and comfortable navigating the terrain. For individuals who like independence and are comfortable with this, a self-guided tour just might be right for you.