Hawaii
November 5-28, 2011
November 6 - 'Iao Valley - 'Iao Valley to Haleakela
Since the day was still early, we decided to do a little detour from the 'Iao Valley and head back to the southern side of West Maui to get a taste of the ocean and to check out some places known for whale watching. We didn't see any whales (didn't really expect to since whale season really only starts in early December) but we enjoyed the warm sun and water anyway. Then we headed back to Kahului to pick up groceries for the next couple of days as there would not be any stores up on Mount Haleakela where we'd be staying for the next couple of nights. Finally we drove up Mount Haleakela and set up camp in Hosmer Grove, a small but peaceful little campground that we enjoyed immensely, despite that the temperatures could get quite cool at night.
The wind-swept trees provide shade along the highway.
A large retaining wall made of lava rocks along the hillside. This side of the ancient volcano is so much drier compared to the rainforested 'Iao valley!
Tunnel!
When lava rock walls aren't good enough, the wire netting comes out to keep the rock falls off the road.
Our first visit to a Hawaiian beach.
Samantha and Rubby quickly get their feet wet in the ocean... it's soooo warm!
The view towards east Maui.
Christopher enjoying the sun.
Samantha playing in the waves.
Video clip: Samantha's first time in the water in Hawaii.
Playing on the branches and watching the waves below.
A little bug in the sand.
Look! We saw whales at the Papwai Scenic Lookout! ok, so it's just a sign... ;-)
Rubby goes off to explore the cliffs in search of a geocache.
Ma'alaea Bay, a giant ocean nursery, lies in the cradle of Maui's leeward coast and is often called South Maui.
It boasts rich seas, accessible beaches, and the sunniest weather on the islands.
Rubby couldn't find the geocache so we joined him to help on the search.
So the geocache is somewhere down these cliffs....
Samantha and Christopher resting in the hot sun.
Lots of hiding places for a geocache!
A shady spot for us to hide for a bit.
Ummm, poppa, what's this strange pile of rocks with a container hidden among them?!
A view of the cache from above... how did we pass right by this the first time?!
Samantha at the lookout.
A plaque about the humpback whales that can be seen from the lookout during the whale season.
Samantha watched this local artist for a bit... what a great spot to work!
Hmmmm, what should we get to eat for the next couple of days? Interesting fact: Hawaiians consume the most spam per capita in the world. huh!
These instructions are obviously for the tourists, not the locals! ;-)
Time to cool off with some ice cream!
Yummm!!!!
Driving past the sugarcane fields. Sugar cane (kō ) requires 4000 lbs (500 gallons) of water per pound of sugar produced.
And we're off to Haleakalā National Park.
Cattle grazing on the mountainside.
A ring-necked pheasant (phasianus cochicus) in the grass. They were introduced to Hawaii from Asia in 1865 for hunting.
Arriving at Haleakalā National Park. There was no one at the gate when we arrived and
the ticket machine was out of order so we just headed off to the campsite.
[ Driving to the 'Iao Valley | The 'Iao Needle | 'Iao Valley Nature Trail | 'Iao Valley Garden | 'Iao Valley to Haleakela ]
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