From the winter wonderland of Anchorage, Alaska comes Bex Farleigh. Scrolling through her Instagram feed is no problem as she showcases the adventures she has had in some of the most majestic places in America. She just returned from an Instagram takeover in Maui, Hawaii as part of Alaska’s Weekend Wanderer series. For more Weekend Wanderer posts, be sure to follow Alaska Airlines on Instagram.

When we touched down in Maui, we were overwhelmed by the sweet, thick ocean air. There’s really nothing like that feeling – it’s one you can only get in Hawaii.

More Maui: 5 must-do’s on Maui, Hawaii’s Valley Isle

Our Weekend Wanderer exploration began after we dropped off our bags at our adorable Wailuku home and set off to eat dinner at Flatbread Company in the quaint little town of Paia.

The road to Hana is up there on popular day trips in Maui, and for good reason. We hit the road on a rainy day and explored gushing waterfalls and jungles as we wove back and forth on the most stunning of winding roads across the coast. When we finally arrived in Hana, I ate the best Hawaiian barbecue chicken of my life at a little food truck on the side of the highway. In Maui, you gotta find a good plate lunch. We made the drive back across the winding, cliffside Hana Highway in pitch darkness, which isn’t for the faint of heart, that’s for sure.

It’s no surprise that Maui has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. We spent most of our time between excursions finding beaches and going to snorkel spots, such as Honolua Bay. One dive under and you’ll see hundreds of colorful fish and coral. We even got lucky enough to swim with sea turtles and Manta rays (yes, Manta rays). Exploring the ocean in Maui is like swimming in a giant aquarium – it’s amazing how much of the world is unseen from the surface.

I’m going to miss the thick, Hawaiian air (and that BBQ chicken). I can’t wait to make it back to this island. Aloha for now, Maui.