My Birthday Weekend (Oahu)

(It was so windy, we were almost blown away)

Sunday was a beautiful day for a drive to the windward side of the island. We heard of this lookout point from some family members who had already gone and we wanted to check it out. We stopped at the Nuuanu Pali lookout which is also a historical landmark. Throughout the islands a king named Kamehameha 1 is well known to have taken over all of the Hawaiian Islands. At this particular lookout a battle is said to have taken place in 1795 and many soldiers were pushed off the sheer cliffs to their deaths below. When they remodeled this old scenic highway 800 skulls were found 1,000 feet below.  This significant place is also known for its incredibly strong winds that rip through the valley walls howling past you. Andrew and I decided to do some off trail hiking to see the sheer cliff and with one wrong step you could see why soldiers died here, but the view was well worth the hike. A motto I like to live by is “do something every day that scares you” this did just that.

(If you look closely at the rock to the left in the picture you can see what we climbed up. There is a tiny trail head to the top of this peak)

(our very own travelocity gnome "verde")

More of Hana

One blog post really doesn’t cover Hana. Second time into this amazing jungle I was lucky to have Andrew along for the ride. We got caught in a heavy rain but made the best of our day. We were able to swim in a waterfall, hike a bamboo forest and continue to be in awe of the beauty surroundingus. Maui is known for its banana bread, so of course we snacked on a loaf while we ventured into the exotic forest. We made it ½ way to Hana and called it a day. Next time we are hoping to make it to the 400 foot waterfall at the end of the bamboo forest, but we ran out of time and you can easily get lost in the canopy of never-ending trails.

Here are some of our epic photos that really tell the story:

(Andrew is in the middle falls, and some random person on the right)

The Famous Road To Hana-Maui,HI

(Map of Maui and the road to Hana. I started on the backside and went all the way around to Paia.)

The road to Hana in Maui. My first time to Hana was an unexpected journey. I began by driving out to see Andrews wind site on the southeast side of the island. I decided to continue driving and exploring for fear of returning on the same road since I was already car sick.

 I was hoping that the roads would improve and it would be a nice relaxing journey around the island. What I didn’t realize is that this particular “road to Hana” is famous and people actually buy T-shirts that say “I survived the road to Hana”. It was 7 hours later that I arrive back at our hotel. I made it through the most breathtaking scenery, gorgeous waterfalls full of sacred pools and by far the craziest roads I’ve ever driven on.

When traveling to Hana make sure to have a full tank of gas, water and know that you will not have cell phone service in the majority places you venture off to. Be aware of the locals who enjoy driving 80MPH on one lane roads who think it’s hilarious to make tourists soil their underpants ;) It encompasses 600 curves and 74 historical bridges and culverts, many of which are one lane with sheer cliff side and no guard rails.

Overall if I had to describe Maui in three words they would be: Majestic, off-grid and rugged.



North Shore Shark Encounter

In the company of family we decided to take a wild adventurous ride three miles off shore to observe Galapagos sharks in their natural habitat.

We were thrashed and bashed about from the oceans current, surrounded by 20-25 enormous cartilaginous skeletons and dorsal fins. The four of us entered into the cage surrounded by bars and large poly glass windows that allow you to peer into the open ocean and watch the sharks as they peer eye to eye with you as they glide by.

The dive lasts about 20 minutes but by that time you are chilly and ready to be back on dry land. It was a wonderful awe inspiring experience that I would recommend to anyone visiting the North Shore, but with the warning that it’s a rough sea adventure. So be ready to come back with a few bruises and out of this world memories that will last a lifetime.

Haleakala National Park Maui,HI

The Alarm went off at 4:00AM this morning and Andrew and I caught an early flight into Maui. Took off in our rental car and decided to venture up 10,023 feet (highest peak in Maui) to see the 8^th wonder of the world, Haleakala National Park “house of the sun”.

(Image:http://haleakala-mm.blogspot.com/2012/09/haleakala-nationla-park.html)

I prepared myself for a long curvy road full of switch backs that took over an hour’s journey to arrive at our destination. Haleakala is known for magnificent sunrises, but an avid hiker would need to wake up at 3:00AM to see the event. We decided to scope out the crater first in the day light and see how the trails faired. As you arrive into the park wispy clouds greet you and the view is already spectacular. You pay $10.00 to access 19 square miles of crater and 28,665 acres throughout the park for 3 days. Haleakala is a shield volcano whose crater is erosional, and the last eruption occurred over 200 years ago.

This has been my favorite excursion in the islands so far due to the unearthly sites. The geologic structures feel like you have been transported to mars or the moon. A highlight of the trip besides hiking into the crater was the highly adapted Silversord plant, only endemic to Haleakala. A very delicate plant sword-like succulent leaves covered with silver hairs. Silversword plants in general grow in dry, rocky substrate that is able to withstand freezing temperatures and high winds.

 The skin and hairs are strong enough to resist the wind and freezing temperature of this altitude and protect the plant from dehydration and the sun. Even though we were only able to catch a glimpse of this magnificent beauty it was well worth the motion sickness I experienced on Maui’s notorious hillsides.