The Road to Hana

Sunday was a day sans swimming events, so we decided to take the opportunity to see a little more of Maui and explore part of the Hana Highway. We didn't want to go ALL the way to Hana, since it's apparently an 8 to 12 hour adventure, so we just went about halfway - a trip which held just enough excitement for us.

First we stoped by a roadside fruit stand for homemade pineapple-guava and banana-passionfruit popsicles. Unfortunately I left the camera in the car or I would have taken a picture of their funny tip jar - "Big Tippers Make Great Lovers." Shout out to Mama Roxie. :)

Next, we drove on for a few miles and got out at a place where our guide book described a hike to 4 pristine waterfalls. We crossed a treacherous little sunken stream, hiked through an amazing bamboo forest, and then came to the first waterfall, which was quite small. We were going to keep hiking but we were ill-prepared with flip-flops, a bulky bag, and my decision to wear a skort. So we turned back after the first waterfall.


Phil in the bamboo


The first (and only) waterfall we made it to.


Me posing next to a big lava rock near the waterfall.

We kept driving after that little adventure and we were treated some amazing views which reminded me of the setting for the movie "Jurassic Park". It was breathtaking. I took video of the coastline on the Road to Hana, so I will post that later. Finally, our last stop before turning around and heading back to Kaanapali was at a black sand beach, which I was so excited about seeing. Of course, it was beautiful to look at, but it was NOT a good beach for swimming! It was rocky and it hurt our feet and caused all kinds of scrapes and bruises. Plus, it wasn't really the deep, shiny black sand I had imagined. The sandy part looked more like cigarette ashes.