I finally took the time to update some pictures.
I have yet to get my hands on a copy from Lindsay's camera. Will hopefully get them up soon.
We had an amazing time in Maui, Hawaii. We stayed again in Kihei on the southern side of the island. I really enjoy Kihei and I'm glad we were able to stay there again. We were really close to a great beach there... I brought home a bag full of sand to prove how lovely it was. Once the kids were off with Grandma Ginger it was pretty calm getting out of town. Flying without the worry of kids was very nice. We watched in-flight movies the whole way out and it wasn't too bad considering. Arriving in Maui was quiet the transition since when we left home it was like 40 degrees. The warmth and humidity met us right off the plane and was very comforting.
View from our Condo
We took our trip pretty easy. It was wonderful to not wake up to an alarm clock or children. To just wake up when I was ready to. Josh and I walked on the beach everyday. We had a wonderful time hanging out with my Dad, Blake and Lindz and each other.
The one thing that we all wanted to do was make the drive to Hana. To get to Hana is quiet amazing. On the side of the island were were staying on averages less than 20 inches of rain a year. On the road to Hana it averages 360 inches of rain a year. The road goes through this amazing rain forest and is quiet an adventure.
Hana Highway
From Wikipedia
"The Hāna Highway (also known as the Hana Road or Road To Hana) is the name given to the 68-mile (109 km) long stretch of Hawaii State Highways 36 and 360 which connect the population center of Kahului with the town of Hāna in east Maui. On the east after Kalepa bridge, Hana Highway continues to Kīpahulu as Hawaii Highway 31 (Piilani Highway), the first section of which is unofficially considered to be part of Hāna Highway. Although Hāna is only about 52 miles (84 km) from Kahului, a typical trip to Hāna takes about three hours, as the road is very winding and narrow and passes over 59 bridges, 46 of which are only one-lane bridges, requiring oncoming traffic to yield and occasionally causing brief traffic jams if two vehicles meet head-on. There are approximately 620 curves along Highway 360 from just east of Kahului to Hana, virtually all of it through lush, tropical rainforest. Many of the concrete and steel bridges date back to 1910 and all but one are still in use."
Keanea. We stopped at a cute little stand here in Keanea and ate yummy banana bread. There is this way cool old church in this small community. Lindz took a great picture of it! Will post it soon.
Lindz and Blake as were were overlooking the peninsula that Keanea is on.
There are no words for how amazing this day was. We left the condo at about eight am and didn't get aback till almost eight pm.
We stopped and purchased a CD to help us with our drive. So glad we did! We learned so much and seriously took our time getting to Hana. Hana is just a little tiny town and it's not very exciting. Though, we did get a yummy lunch there. The drive there was spectacular. The scenery changed so fast and was more beautiful and different around every crazy turn and bend. Each bridge would go over an amazing stream or waterfall! The day we drove the Hana Highway truly made the trip for me.
We decided to go past Hana and end in the Haleakala National park to visit the O'heo Gulch where the seven sacred ponds are in the Kipahulu Valley. WOW was it worth it! We weren't able to hike to the upper waterfalls because of rain and it was getting dark, but next time we go to Maui, I am not missing out on that hike.
After leaving the park we had a big decision to make. Do we turn back and drive the way we came or continue on and around the crater making a full circle? They try to discourage people from driving around. There is only one little tiny town past the National park and the road is pretty crazy and unpaved through a chunk of it. Frankly, it was an easy decision.
We wanted to be able to see the whole island and my Dad had already driven it before. I am so glad we drove around. We saw some spectacular places. A double rainbow and hardly touched landscape.
We saw the extremes in climate and scenery. From the rain forest to ocean beaches to lava fields and everything in between. The road beyond Hana was absolutely amazing!
Two of my favorite stops along the 68 mile drive was the Wai'anapanapa State Park and the Wailua Falls at mile marker 45 on Highway 31 past Hana. Josh and I had lots of fun exploring at Wai'anapanapa state park.
We enjoyed the black sand beach, got soaked by a huge wave and got out of the way of a blow hole. It was all around fun at the State park. Could have played there all day.
Blow Hole!
This is the spot that soaked us. When hiking back, we were about in the spot I took this picture from, which we thought was a safe place. Surprise surprise!
Josh taking a lovely shot of the waves braking against the black cliffs... and then a big wave came. This lower picture is the same spot just as he began to run from the water of the wave and the blow hole going off on his right side.
The Wailua Falls were amazing! It was a huge waterfall just right off the road, it was the "you are almost to O'heo Gulch" point along the drive. It was a stunning preview for the National Park.
We are so lucky to have had such an adventure. Thanks to my cute Daddy for an amazing Christmas Present! We had a fantastic week, truly unforgettable.
Mahalo and Aloha!
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