Maui and The Big Island (Hawai'i)

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All,

Here is the album, hope you enjoy.  Miss and love you all.

Images are in order of our adventure.

Our itinerary:
Saturday - Arrival in Maui and tour the grounds of our complex, in Maui we stayed in Wailea but actually didn't spend as much time there as we thought we would.  Lunch/dinner at Coconut's Fish Cafe, one of the best fish tacos I've ever had.

Sunday - We woke up at 0145 (yes that's AM) for the Haleakala Sunrise bike tour, to arrive at the bike shop by 0300, in the van by 0400 and at the summit (10,600ft) at 0500.  Once the amazing sunrise was over we hopped back in the van to ride down to 9,000 so we could hop on our bikes. Yes, we rode bikes down the volcano back to the bike shop. 20+ miles downhill, easy peasy... well we did get lost but that's not important :)

That afternoon we drove to Iao Valley State Park, drove around the north part of Maui, and finished the day off with some great beer and food at Maui Brewing Company.

Monday - Up early again to go diving at Molokini crater (yet to have sorted Rebe's dive pictures) and that evening we got to experience a luau. 

Tuesday - We chose save the best for last, and ride the tortuous "Road to Hana".  620 curves, 62 miles, 46 one lane bridges... yes.   It was breathtaking, even in the rain, and it was an all day journey, I think the drive can be made it 2.5 hour but since Rebe and I (well mainly me) stopped to take pictures it took us a little over 5 just to get to Hana.  While en route to Hana, we stopped at Twin Falls, Wailua Valley State Wayside, Wai'anapanapa State Park, Waimoku Falls and the Seven Sacred Pools at 'Ohe'o Gulch plus all the waterfalls that are along the road.  After doing all of that, you can take the 620 curves back or you can continue on to the other side of Haleakala on an even more sketchy road.  People told us continuing on would be bad, but we didn't listen to them and it's not that bad and MANY MANY less turns that the Hana Highway.  

Once back to civilization we stopped in Paia to eat at the Flatbread Company and desert at One Gelato Co.

Wednesday - We relaxed, packed and had lunch at Monkeypod in Wailea and then headed to the airport for Hawaii (aka the Big Island).  On the Big Island we stayed in Waikoloa.

Thursday - Up early for the helicopter tour where we flew over the most active volcano on the planet and also the Pohakuloa Training Area which is usually closed to air traffic.  That evening we did two dives with Big Island Divers and one was the world famous Night Manta Ray dive where Rebe become good friends with an eel named Fred.

Friday - Due to our diving and poor planning we were stranded to the coast for the day.  After diving, to be safe it is advised that you should not go to any elevation above 2000 feet, and leaving the cost on the Big Island requires an elevation change over 2000 feet.  So we sat on the beach and relaxed all day and had dinner at Kona Brewing (more beer of course).

Saturday - Woke up late, lunch at Big Island Brewhaus and I must say these guys know their beer, if you ever stumble across one of these beers while in Hawaii (any island) give it a try.  That evening we did the Mauna Kea sunset tour and got to bear witness to some of the clearest air on the planet up at 13,796 feet.  The air is VERY thin up at the top and a brisk trot to the restroom left me breathless.  Of course it was a bit chilly at the top (as you can see by the image Rebe was bundled up) probably mid 30s before the sun went down but after the sun disappeared I want to say it hit the high 20s.  After the sunset the tour guide took us down to the base camp at 9000' where the air was much thicker and showed us some of the stars and planets with his 11" (in diameter) telescope.  I also took a couple of pictures. ;)   

Sunday - This was our last day and since we wasted a day Friday we decided to drive around the northish part of the Big Island just to see more.  It was a beautiful drive from our place in Waikoloa, thru Waimea, Honokaa, up to Akaka Falls State Park, Hilo and then back across the Saddle Road (which rises to 8000') and back to Waikoloa.

Got the the Kona Airport at 3 to catch our flight to Honolulu and then direct to Houston where we arrived at 7am...and I got to go to work and Rebe went home to sleep some more.  

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