prior to planning my trip to maui i had heard rave reviews from fellow travelers (i.e: lisa) about this extraordinary bike tour that begins at the peak of haleakala national park at sunrise.  there are a bunch of tour companies that take adventurers up the mountain (departing at 2am and returning by 12 noon), but i tip my hat to maui mountain cruisers, particularly as both of the guides were utmost professionals leading a group of 12 guests (minus the two that left us after a few hours due to nausea / car sickness on the way up the mountain). the schwin bikes weren’t exactly a favourite of mine (nor was the chunky bmx helmet) but hey, who i am to complain at 10,000 feet, especially after witnessing a magical morning sunrise prayer from a hawaiian guru at 5am? after a few hours cruising and admiring the scenery at the bottom of the mountain we met a bunch of four-legged friends (see the post below) and then ended up on paia beach exfoliating our feet in the sand (well, i did anyway). HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! #maui4ever #iheartmaui #respecttheland #respectthegods