Hearts in Hawai'i
Our Trip to Maui (2014)--Day 8
5/12/2014
A busy week commenced today with several activities, and the much-anticipated tour to Hana and around the backside of Haleakala with Valley Isle Excursions was first up.
But first, sunrise over a cloud-obscured Lana`i.
Valley Isle features busses which hold thirteen people. There are three rows with two seats on the driver's side and one seat on the passengers side. The back row has four seats. I had been told, first, that there are no bad seats, and second, that the driver's side features the best views. It really depends on what you want to see (and photograph)--if you like ocean views, you want the driver's side. If you want waterfall and (later) mountainside views, then the passenger's side is what you should seek
In our case, since there were two of us, we wanted the driver's side.
There were six of us getting picked up at the hotel this early morning. We had a nice chat with an elderly couple (as I get older myself, elderly becomes more synonymous with "like minded") in the hotel lobby while waiting. They're from Santa Barbara and are engaged to be married. Raul and Lovie (spelling might be wrong on both, I realize)--Lovie is said with emphasis on the second syllable, which was kind of interesting.
As the bus rolled up and stopped, a younger couple (who was the last to arrive in the lobby) rushed onto the bus ahead of everybody. The only six seats left were in the back row, and the two driver's side seats ahead of that row. Naturally, they took those two seats, so the remaining four of us ended up in the back row.
It didn't really matter. With windows these large, we all had excellent views of everything we saw on this tour. The only thing hampering our vision was rain. Lots of it. From Kahului eastward until just before the Keanae Peninsula, it rained anywhere from lightly to torrentially. This had the effect of maximizing the waterfalls. They were really pumping today!
Our first stop was for continental breakfast at the Maui Lani Golf Course. Standard, okay fare was served up here.
We passed by the Flatbread Company in Paia, regarded by many as the best pizza on Maui. We are not in agreement.
The rains has normally placid streams running fast and hard today!
Eucalyptus trees
It seemed wherever there were streams and waterfalls to be found, lines of cars were pulling off the road.
Stopping point at Kaumahina State Wayside Park, with other busses from Polynesian Adventure Tours and Roberts Hawaii.
Normally a tasty view but obscured today due to the rain
Kaenae Peninsula
Kaenae Peninsula
Kaenae Peninsula
Kaenae Peninsula
Back on the road, one final view of the Kaenae Peninsula
Yet more raging rapids!
Waianapanapa State Park
Black sand beach at Waianapanapa
Waianapanapa
Tutu's Snack Shop in Hana. We stopped at Hana Bay for a delicious lunch featuring chicken.
Hana Bay
This sign received a good-natured round of boos from some on board!
Wailua Falls between Hana and Kipahulu
Pools of Oheo. The phrase "Seven Sacred Pools" is a misnomer, as there are many more than seven such pools. Access to the water was closed off today as it is whenever heavy rains occur. People have been swept out into the ocean in what can be dangerous conditions at times.
This is part of Haleakala National Park. You need to pay a fee to enter here.
A look up Haleakala from the park.
This and the next three pictures feature more views of the Pools.
Palapala Ho`omau Church. There is also a small cemetery here including the final resting place of Charles Lindbergh.
Lindbergh's gravesite.
This and the next three pictures are of the coastline near Kipahulu.
Steaks!
Unknown church between Kipahulu and Kaupo.
Eventually the scenery changes from tons of green to tons of brown. This is the dry backside of Haleakala where little rain falls compared to where we had been for the past few hours.
New windmills. We didn't notice these on our drive here in 2012.
Looking towards the central valley and Ma`alaea from near Kula.
Near sunset on the Honoapi`ilani Highway linking central Maui with west Maui.
One mistake we made was in not bringing snacks on board the bus. It was a long time between lunch in Hana and the return to our hotel at 6:45 p.m. Luckily, there were bread stands along the way where we could stop, sample and purchase some of the tasty products such as banana bread and banana/pineapple (excellent) bread.
Despite the rain, we had a great time. Lynn, our driver and tour guide, kept us constantly engaged and interested with her narration. The group we were with was fun, also!
After the tour, it was off to Amigo's for dinner. They have quite the extensive menu there, and after some deliberation, I chose the ground beef enchiladas, one with red sauce, one with green sauce, with cheese on top, rice and refried beans on the side. Tasty!
Previous: 5/11/2014--Our Trip to Maui (2014)--Day 7
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