Whoa, Three days have passed so quickly, and to be honest the last thing I have wanted to do is sit at the computer and type a bit. We have been taking it all in, literally from delicious meals including my first visit to Ruth Chris Steakhouse, to packing in the sights. Our second day was spent soaring through the sky on Flying High Hawaiian Ziplines. This is the longest zipline course in the world and has the second longest line in the world, totaling an impressive 3,600 feet. The lines were on the South side of the West Maui Mountains, and overlooked the entire span between the North and South volcanos, including the coastlines, and sugarcane fields. The entire time was spent exposed, so we were all feeling a bit sun and wind burned in the end, but without a doubt this was one of the most incredible adrenaline rushes any junkie could ask for. There was a shorter line that they recommended we go backwards, and two of the longer lines required us to make a starfish, which literally means open your body as tall and large as possible to create the most wind resistance to help slow yourself before you brace and prepare to hit the braking system.
Our guides were experienced and professional, and had extensive knowledge about the local flora and fauna and history of the culture. We laughed together and it was really exciting to see Deb lead the charge and be the first on several of the lines, including the first. We all had a great experience and as we look across to the neighboring mountain, it is fun to think that we traversed 9 canyons and 10 ridges, on over 2.3 miles of cable!
We put some miles on the rental cars the next day, as we circumnavigated the Southern portion of Maui, taking the famous road to Hana. We left early, after a morning dip in the ocean, and loaded with snacks and the guide to Hana CD, set out on the windy road. Folks claim there to be over 600 turns and over 100 bridges, and it is obvious in the slow travel, but we all set out with the mindset that it is about the journey. We stopped and ate banana bread, smoothies, and our sandwiches from Paia on the Ke’anae Peninsula. This point is made up of craggy lava rock, and being on the windward side of the island, the wind rips against the shore, creating huge surges and great photos. Indeed, this windy side of the Island has more rain, in the neighborhood of 20 times the rain on the leeward side, 16 inches where our condo is, versus 320 or more on the other side.
The entire roadside is a jungle, with dense bamboo, fruit trees, and plants covering every inch of soil. Waterfalls are plenty, and Deb took us to a recently discovered ruin. The ruin was a flat terraced mesa, made from small lava rocks, some travelling from 7 miles away, and archeologists estimated it took 128,000 man days to create the 400 by 280 foot stone base, where structures apparently sat years ago. We stopped at Wai’anapanapa, the only black sand beach in Maui, made of decomposed lava rock.
Hana was our next stop, and we checked out Hana Bay, and the small number of shops in town before going the gravestone of Charles A. Lindberg, the famous aviator. Nestled on the cliff overlooking the channel that separates Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii, sits a church and no more than 30 gravestones; one being Charles Lindberg. We pet the horses and climbed in the banyan tree before traveling along the backside of Haleakala.
The day was long, but we sure covered a lot of ground. Yesterday, we had a morning snorkel, where we saw 3 sea turtles, before we drove to Lahaina in the afternoon to see the famous Ulalena production. More than the talented performance, Deb booked the producers package, so we were able to get a behind the scenes glimpse of the characters experiences in joining the cast, and hear a little bit more about the history of the performance that does such a great job of portraying the history of Hawaii. If that wasn’t enough, we followed up the show with Filet Minons at Ruth Chris steakhouse. Buttery mashed potatoes, caesar salad, and bread pudding were in company, and nobody left hungry. The days have been perfect, from the weather, to the smiles on each others faces, as Melissa, her brother, mom and grandma, provide company that is heartfelt and filled with laughter.
The back-to-back of our dinner and show has left us ready to take a nap, as we awoke at 4 am to see the sunrise at Haleakala. The worlds largest dormant volcano, and one of the shortest distances with most elevation (10,000 ft is 36 miles) leaves you with a breathtaking view as the clouds sit beneath you and watch the sun greet you.
By far the most spectacular solar display I have ever witnessed, from the colors bleeding on the cloud cover, to the mystical clouds beneath you, as hundreds of onlookers hold their breath and start a new day. We were bundled for the chilly winds, but toasty as soon as the rays penetrate through.
Today is in front of us, and there is no doubt that this vacation is a blast. I am reminded of how fortunate we are, and happy the locals prize their land and encourage us visitors to be stewards and respectful of the planet we share together. Another dip in the warm water awaits….
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