Sunrise at Machu Picchu (a taste of heaven) was one of my favorite moments of feeling as if I could just reach out and touch the sky. The drive up to Haleakalā Crater and Summit had us on the edge of the mountain side with billowy clouds wafting by us. Tour operators offer bicycle trips up and down the national park. With such narrow and windy roads, it required vigilance in avoiding the cyclists. At the summit, one can view the Haleakalā Observatory, which is one of the best locations for ground telescopes given the clarity, dryness and stillness in the air and limited light pollution. Although closed to the public, it is operated by the United States Air Force and University of Hawaii.
During the hike on the Sliding Sands Trail down to the crater, the fluffy cumulous clouds crept into the crater, inching towards the trail. On the way back, we were caught up in the misty wisps as we walked through remnants of one. At over 10,000 feet above sea level, as the heat source was setting, the temperature dropped significantly, yet it did not deter the crowds that congregated near the summit to get a glimpse of sunset on the island.
In the silence of the crowd, I found myself catching my breath as the hues of orange, peach and yellow imbued the sky. As the sun disappeared from the horizon and the crowd was dissipating, a cool breeze made the hair on my skin prickle, reminding me that I have angels watching over me.
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