@roamingmaddie

Tag: hawaii

  • 5 spring break trips

    5 spring break trips

    Being that I was in a 6-year college program (minus one in-person year due to COVID :/), I was fortunate enough to get to go on 5 very different spring breaks. If you’re looking for a spring break vacay to fit your vibe, no matter what you’re looking for, I’m sure you will find some inspiration below!

    sunset in ft lauderdale, FL

    ft lauderdale, florida (2022)

    My first spring break truly lived up to the “college spring breakers” experience. Me and 9 other friends rented a small house in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida for the week. The house backed up to a pond and had a paddle boat and hammock. We got our best use out of this space and the proximity to the nightlife!

    I will always remember the experience of our shared hungover breakfasts, girls getting ready together in one small bathroom, and the insane nights clubbing that we all endured. If you’re looking to party all day and night- this is the city for you.

    girls posing on miami beach sign on spring break

    miami, florida (2023)

    The next year, I met up with one friend in Miami that I had met working in FL the previous summer. Compared to Ft Lauderdale, this was a very different experience (primarily because we were not looking for the same clubbing environment). While you can definitely find this here, we were not interested in that.

    Instead, we spent many days lounging on the beach sipping seltzers and trying delicious food (Versace Mansion is a must-hit). The state of Florida has really cracked down on the spring break craze, so we were glad to avoid the police surrounding all of the drunk crowds and prioritize R&R.

    australia beach

    sydney, australia (2024)

    I was extremely lucky this year to have a friend studying abroad in Sydney to visit over break. Was it necessarily logical to fly all the way from the US to Australia for only a week… perhaps not. However, we made the most of this trip and the Sydney beaches are some of the most beautiful to lay on.

    Honorable mention of this trip was Bondi Beach and the Taronga Zoo. I also learned that I was allergic to kangaroo meat on this trip! Highly recommend choosing an option where you can visit an abroad friend to save the money you would’ve spent on a hotel for something fun while you’re there.

    beach in maui, hawaii

    maui, hawaii (2025)

    I once again was visiting a friend on this spring break. Did you know, the resorts on Maui don’t have any way of stopping you from entering if you walk in from the beach? Totally not saying I did that or anything though. I just had plenty of free time to walk all over this island.

    All that to say, there is PLENTY to do on Maui even if you are not staying at a glamorous resort. Some of my favorites included ziplining in the jungle, surf lessons, GREAT food, and just laying in the sunshine with a good book.

    street market in ollantaytambo, peru

    lima/cusco/ollantaytambo, peru (2026)

    For my last ever spring break trip, I took a totally different approach and did a backpacking trip around Peru, rounding out seeing Machu Picchu, one of the 7 wonders of the world. This was TOTALLY different from any of my other trips and so wonderful.

    The highlight of this trip for both me and my travel partner was a 2 night Amazon Rainforest expedition. However, Peru is filled with amazing food and beautiful sights so truly the entire trip was like a dream.

    In summary, you really can’t go wrong with a spring break trip. As long as you’re going somewhere warm, have at least one friend with you, and have something fun planned- you will be golden!!

  • is sunrise at haleakala worth it?

    is sunrise at haleakala worth it?

    If you’re planning a trip to Maui, Haleakala is likely coming across your research as a MUST SEE WORTHWHILE EXPERIENCE!!! Personally, I was a bit skeptical. My mind was changed once I experienced it. I break down below how we did it and some tips to make the most of your experience.

    ahead of time:

    First, you will need tickets. We booked our tickets about 2 months in advance. I don’t know how much in advance they typically fill up, but I know there were none available day-of. NOTE: this is different from the park admission fee. We have annual national park passes, so this was free but otherwise would be paid at the entrance.

    Secondly, you will need a method of traversing up the volcano. You can either book a tour with a shuttle or drive yourself. The third option would be hiking, but why would you EVER want to do that?!?! We chose to drive ourselves since we had a car and wanted to be on our own timeline.

    Finally, you will need to be prepared for the elements. Because the peak is higher than the clouds, it is FREEZING and WINDY all year long. Most people do not pack winter wear for their Hawaii vacation, so consider making the trip in your PJs and bring lots of blankets. Additionally, if you are sensitive to altitude (lower oxygen levels, altitude/motion sickness, or difficult-to-pop ears), take the proper precautions ahead of time!

    day of:

    If you are driving yourself, you should plan to be at the base of the volcano 60-90 minutes before the sunrise to allow for time to make it up, parking, and finding a spot to watch the sunrise from. Maps it ahead of time, it may be a lot further than you expect (it was 2.5hr from Kihei, meaning we had to leave at 2am to make it in time). Follow the crowds to know what side of the peak the sun will be rising from (try to find a spot near the gift shop). We were wrapped in blankets and in multiple layers and still pretty cold. A warm beverage and folding chair would be great additions if you plan for them!

    why we loved it:

    Let me set the scene here: I am freezing cold, my ears still haven’t popped, and I am SO tired. This seems like the perfect storm to be having a horrible time. However, I was smiling and laughing like a little kid with the wind whipping my face.

    This experience really is magical. Because the clouds are below you, you are guaranteed a beautiful sunrise no matter what the weather is. There are also local Hawaiian singers performing sun salutations as the sun rises. And truthfully, the whole thing is pretty quick to be braving the elements for. From start to finish it was about 30 mins. It felt very spiritual and connected to nature, especially for someone who doesn’t necessarily reach for the nature excursions while traveling.

    After you’ve been amazed by the show, there isn’t too much to do on the peak. There is a cute little gift shop worth stopping in. I guess you could hike…. not me though. We took a bunch of photos and then made our way driving back down. In the area, we stopped in Makawao to grab a bite and bev at Espresso Mafia. Waking up early was rough, but meant we started the day on a magical foot. We spent the rest of the day surfing and catching up on sleep on the beach!

    So long story short, yes you should definitely add a trip up Haleakala to your Maui itinerary!