Maui 2019: Part 2
DAY 5: HANA AND BEYOND-UH!!!
This was probably my favorite day. We weren't sure how the drive was going to go with the kids but they exceeded all expectations. It wouldn't even have been nearly as fun without them. From waterfall jumping to hiking to chatting in the car... they rocked it.
Our first stop was at the Ku'au store for breakfast. The owner lady was so nice and told us all her favorite stops. Even though we already had a plan it was nice to know that what we had planned was mostly what she recommended. We got breakfast sandwiches and a delicious muffin and set off on our way.
Next we stopped at Punalau stream and hiked up it a ways, climbing over boulders almost the whole way, until we got to an awesome waterfall cascading down into a mint green pool. We had left at 5:30 in the morning and by the time we got to the waterfall it was probably 7:30 or 8:00, so not exactly super warm but I jumped right in and Derek followed soon after. Eventually we coaxed Jack into the water and Annie was our awesome spectator and videographer. Right as we were getting ready to leave another couple came clambering over the boulders and we had them take our picture. Punalau was a magical hour of my life.
Next at Jack's request we found a little hidden lava tube. It looked like a tiny hole on the side of the road but when you crouched in for awhile it opened up to a pretty big cave, with a banyan forest on the other side. We almost didn't stop here but I'm so glad we did because it was super awesome and again we were the only souls there.
Next we went on a little diversion into the village of Nahiku. Also known as plant heaven. There were some on your honor fruit stands so Derek stocked up on passionfruit. Annie and I walked down to get a view of the coastline and wow what a view. Derek and Jack got left behind checking out a potential jumping spot. Next thing I know here comes Derek down the path and he's all soaking and excited. He says we have to come because he found an awesome waterfall going into a pool, and a place to jump into the pool. So we all went back and jumped for awhile. We were the first ones there but gradually some other tourists started to trickle in and watched us jump. Then some locals showed up and outdid us haha. But not before Jack jumped in twice from the top of the waterfall, and Annie went cliff jumping off a big boulder on the side. I was so impressed with them! They just did it! They're amazing.
our beautiful jumping spot. It was so idyllic. It was shadowy so you can't tell how crystal clear the water is but you could see all the way down to the bottom.
View of the coastline from Nahiku.
Somewhere in here we stopped at halfway to Hana for some delicious banana bread and shave ice with coconut ice cream. We also later stopped for lunch at an outdoor food strip thing and had some coconut shrimp.
One of our shortest stops was at the black sand beach. We were anxious to get to the pipiwai trail, and the crowds had caught up with us during our time cliff jumping in Nahiku. So we basically snapped a few pics and waded in the beautiful water and were out of there. The thing i love most about Waiapanapa is the way the bright green contrasts with the dark black rock, and then the vivid blue water. It is breathtaking.
We almost stopped at the red sand beach but realized we didn't have time so we went on to Hamoa beach. We got out of our car and walked down and realized the waves were breaking way too close to the shore since it was a high surf day so we didn't bother staying long.
Onto the Pipiwai trail! O'heo Gulch (seven sacred pools) were closed for swimming which was kind of a bummer but we caught a good view of them from above. And it was kind of good because I really wanted to make it to the bamboo forest and we were running out of daylight, so we started on the hike. This was probably my favorite stop of the day. The old banyan tree we climbed, the way the kids hiked tirelessly and didn't complain once, and the reward of the lush bamboo forest was just too much for my little heart to take. I felt like I was a balloon ready to burst.
I MEAN COME ON!!!!!
GAH!!!!!!
I could live here.
We decided instead of backtracking that we would take the backside of Hana and go all the way around the island. I'm so glad we did because even though the road got dangerously close to the ocean cliffs, and it was bumpy in some places, the desolate beauty and contrast with the other side of Maui was definitely a must-see. It was so WILD. We sang Mamma Mia and enjoyed each other's company and then got home and seriously SACKED out.
DAY 6: Makena Beach, Hotel, Mama's Fish House, and Goodbye
Makena beach was high on my to-do list coming to Hawaii and it was a short drive from our hotel so we went. It was probably my favorite beach of the trip. A little forest you walk through and then it opened up to golden powder sand and the clearest turqoise water ever, surrounded by black rocks and green trees. AHHHHHH. I loved it. We had bought a cheap boogie board so we played around on that and soaked up the sun, and watched for whale spouts in the distance.
What a guy! LOVE HIM.
After Makena we headed back to the hotel to soak up our last bit of time there. This view from the lobby our hotel was one of my favorite things of the trip. We swam in the pool, said goodbye to our Polo beach, and got some free mochi ice cream balls. This was one of those food items that i will never forget. SOOOOO good. I ate Derek's because he hated it. Well actually he didn't hate it but he said he didn't like it enough to eat it when I apparently loved it SO much. He loves me.
Driving back to Pa'ia for Mama's Fish house it was pretty rainy and we saw the most beautiful full rainbow. We swear we could see the end of it at one point! It was the perfect goodbye from Maui.
Mama's Fish house was a wonderful experience. Walking in on the little trail to the restaurant and seeing the waves crash right on the shoreline with the tiki torches was really something. The servers were all beautifully dressed women in Hawaiian clothing and flowers in their hair. They gave us delicious poppyseed homemade bread and a sample of tomato basil soup before we ordered. We got the kids Mahi mahi to split, and I got the stuffed snapper with lobster and crab and Derek got the Curry dish. Everything was divine. We topped it off with the black pearl dessert which was passionfruit jelly surrounded by chocolate mousse. SOOO GOOOOOOD. and pretty.
After dinner we tried to go back to Ululanis but it was closed early because of the rain. So we headed to the airport and got all ready to leave. The flight to Seattle went really well- the pilot let the kids sit in the cockpit and they both fell asleep on the flight hard. Jack was bunched up next to me and Annie fell asleep on her tray table, with her arms draped over the sides. When we got to Seattle in the wee hours of the morning we all made little beds on the floor of our gate and fell asleep again, except Annie who played games on the ipad. We got to see Brian and Renee in Minneapolis briefly right before they got on their plane, and then we drove home and picked up Henry and Nora at the Muir's. Nora was peering through the banister and got so excited to see me! Henry answered the door and was so so excited to see us but mainly Daddy. He played the rest of the day with Jack and Annie, it was so cute how he just wanted to spend time with them.
And look what a great time these four had in good old Roch!!
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