ALOHA!
I promised both Makenna and Mason that I would post some updates of our Maui trip so they could see what we were up to. So here goes POST #1: After landing we went to the Hawaii State Park office to pick up a camping permit. We got there at 4 PM and the office was closed. Office hours for Hawaii Government are 9 am to 3:30 pm, who would have thought. Well I figured OK since I had a backup camping plan. We took off for Hana soon after and we soon learned why the road to Hana has such a wild reputation. Hana is 50-60 miles from the airport and it takes around 3 hours to get there. The local literature says it has over 600 curves or turns and I lost count of the one lane bridges, but WOW it is one unbelievably beautiful drive. So we made it to the Wai’anapanapapa State Park where we had planned to camp. I found the camp manager and she said that we could not stay there since I did not get the permit. I figured OK the backup plan was to go to Kipahulu which is right at the base of the Seven Sacred Pools since that is what we had planned to hike and swim the next day anyway. Well can you believe it the road to Kipahulu was closed since one of the bridges fell down, what terrible luck or maybe a bit of bad planning on my part. The lady at the state park told us we should either go back to the other side of the island (which meant another 3 hour drive) or stay in Hana. She said we should be able to pick up a room in Hana for around 40 bucks a night so we decided to stay there. Well after arriving in Hana the only available room we could find was at the Hotel Hana and the available cottage was $1,600 a night. By this time we were totally beat and we decided to stay the night in the car, so we parked at Hana Bay and slept the night away. We woke up to a beautiful view of the ocean and the bay. We were pretty much the only people awake at 5:30 am except for a few fishermen so we had the whole beach to ourselves; we did a bit of exploring and found a gorgeous red sand beach. After a great breakfast at a very casual Hawaiian diner we headed for Hamoa beach to do some boggie boarding. We were the only people at the beach for a few hours when some local surfers started to show up. Tara checked with the only rental shop on the beach and the next thing you know we were out surfing. It was great we were both catching waves right away (and sometimes the waves were giving us a serious beat down) but neither of us have got standing up and steering down yet, but by the end of the week we hope to have learned the trick. Hamoa beach has got to be the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. We were getting quite a bit of rain during the morning which was fine since we were pretty wet anyway, but the way the sun was shining through the rain with the lush rain forest in the background was breathtaking (I had a Forest Gump moment while I was waiting for the next wave to come carry me away). After we left the beach at noon we headed back on the Hana Highway, but this time we took the chance to stop at several waterfalls, swim is some freshwater pools (our favorite was the China Pool), and explore the Wai’anapanapapa state parks black sand beach and incredible scenery. We finally made it to our condo and hung out for a bit looking at the ocean out our backyard. Tara and I are already missing the Mak and Mas a bunch, hope we can make it another 7 days!
I promised both Makenna and Mason that I would post some updates of our Maui trip so they could see what we were up to. So here goes POST #1: After landing we went to the Hawaii State Park office to pick up a camping permit. We got there at 4 PM and the office was closed. Office hours for Hawaii Government are 9 am to 3:30 pm, who would have thought. Well I figured OK since I had a backup camping plan. We took off for Hana soon after and we soon learned why the road to Hana has such a wild reputation. Hana is 50-60 miles from the airport and it takes around 3 hours to get there. The local literature says it has over 600 curves or turns and I lost count of the one lane bridges, but WOW it is one unbelievably beautiful drive. So we made it to the Wai’anapanapapa State Park where we had planned to camp. I found the camp manager and she said that we could not stay there since I did not get the permit. I figured OK the backup plan was to go to Kipahulu which is right at the base of the Seven Sacred Pools since that is what we had planned to hike and swim the next day anyway. Well can you believe it the road to Kipahulu was closed since one of the bridges fell down, what terrible luck or maybe a bit of bad planning on my part. The lady at the state park told us we should either go back to the other side of the island (which meant another 3 hour drive) or stay in Hana. She said we should be able to pick up a room in Hana for around 40 bucks a night so we decided to stay there. Well after arriving in Hana the only available room we could find was at the Hotel Hana and the available cottage was $1,600 a night. By this time we were totally beat and we decided to stay the night in the car, so we parked at Hana Bay and slept the night away. We woke up to a beautiful view of the ocean and the bay. We were pretty much the only people awake at 5:30 am except for a few fishermen so we had the whole beach to ourselves; we did a bit of exploring and found a gorgeous red sand beach. After a great breakfast at a very casual Hawaiian diner we headed for Hamoa beach to do some boggie boarding. We were the only people at the beach for a few hours when some local surfers started to show up. Tara checked with the only rental shop on the beach and the next thing you know we were out surfing. It was great we were both catching waves right away (and sometimes the waves were giving us a serious beat down) but neither of us have got standing up and steering down yet, but by the end of the week we hope to have learned the trick. Hamoa beach has got to be the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. We were getting quite a bit of rain during the morning which was fine since we were pretty wet anyway, but the way the sun was shining through the rain with the lush rain forest in the background was breathtaking (I had a Forest Gump moment while I was waiting for the next wave to come carry me away). After we left the beach at noon we headed back on the Hana Highway, but this time we took the chance to stop at several waterfalls, swim is some freshwater pools (our favorite was the China Pool), and explore the Wai’anapanapapa state parks black sand beach and incredible scenery. We finally made it to our condo and hung out for a bit looking at the ocean out our backyard. Tara and I are already missing the Mak and Mas a bunch, hope we can make it another 7 days!
3 comments:
I loved reading this post and then to see at the end that Seth was the writer. You took me to Maui Seth. We love that Island and it sounds like you guys are having a great time already. Missing your kids is a good thing. That means that you totally love them. Have fun in Maui, and remember you don't ever need to worry what time it is. It is always Maui time.
I love the post, How fun!!! Sounds like you guys are having a great time! So jealous. Can't wait 'til we can go someday. I would love to learn how to surf... one of my goals before I die :) Anyway, you guys have a great time!
Sounds like a blast! Keep having a great time - your kids are alive and well, so enjoy yourselves as much as possible. :) Hope to see all your pictures once you're home.
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