I suppose I don't actually "live" in Maui. I am here for 183 days* on vacation to spend time living closer than 6000 km from my man.
It's great. Instead of the 6000 km commute, I have only to make a 5 minute walk in the morning to reach his door from mine. The difference is quite noticeable.I spent 3 months in Maui beginning in October 2008. I met a lovely gent and crazily we kept in touch. Being the kind of gal who always claimed (if not alound then definitely to myself) that "I'd never fall in love on a vacation" and that "I'd NEVER want to date an American and deal with the immigration issues" I was surprised when I fell in love with an American while vacationing in Maui. But I often say things that I later have to take back. Like when I said "I'd NEVER EVER have a blog."
Anyway, it was great to see my man upon arrival and spend some quality time helping each other clean/organise our various residences I got down to the business of living in Maui. First week we made sure to go to one of my top 5 favourite places on the island. During the 2008 trip to Maui, I went on the Bamboo Forest hike with some friends. There is another more well known Bamboo Forest hike past Hana that all the tourists know about. It leads to a really high waterfall and is certainly worth the hike. But this little place is more of a locals hike. Tourists will drive by the entrance to this hike and have no idea why all the cars are stopped. The curious may venture over the fence and follow one of the various paths through the bamboo to a couple "nice" little pools. But the pool below requires a bit of a hike, some rock climbing** and knowing that when you reach the end of the path, you have to jump in the water and swim to the next part.
This is the next part.
When I swam through the little channel on the far right side of this picture, I remember being speechless and feeling very reverant of this beautiful place. Dead centre in this picture, there was water falling in steady drips from the lip of the little cave and if you looked up, you would be surrounded on all sides by dark lava rock covered with lush greenery going up 50 or 60 feet. It was amazing and exactly what I'd always imagined the non-beach parts of Hawaii to look like. I'm glad that not a lot of people know about this secret part of the hike. The best part is that once you swim through this pool, you climb up a little waterfall and get to another pool with a bigger waterfall. It's heavenly.In between play, there has been lots of work to be done. I've been getting used to the heat. It is a lot hotter than it was on my last trip here. And with no AC*** we often find the inside of my boyfriend's place reaches 96. I don't know what that translates to in Celsius (and I don't want to know so please don't tell me) but it's hot for being inside. Anyway, lots of work and heat get rewarded with fun hikes and swimming excursions!
Here I am jumping off the rocks at Twin Falls.
Twin Falls is one of the stops toward the beginning of the infamous Road to Hana. Again, the beginning of the little walk/hike is full of tourists and locals enjoying the scenic setting. There's a pool with a rope swing (which I have yet to try) and another with some beautiful falls. But, those who know to cross the water and hike upward will eventually reach a much less crowded waterfall with a perfect jumping rock. Jumping from heights into water is tied with climbing trees as my boyfriend's favourite pastime (imagine his euphoria when he gets to combine the two - pictures to come of our trip to Kauai). So this day we decided to work on my jumping technique. I have to learn how to do it without plugging my nose as it seems to be throwing off my landing angle. I had very little success this day but I will keep working on it.All charged up from jumping as we re-unite in the water.
A few days later we went on a hike with some other friends upcountry**** in Poli Poli. We left early in the morning and planned for a 2 or 3 hour hike. I found out later that with this particular hiking group, we will usually get lost at least once on each hike and take much longer than expected. That will make planning schedules around hikes much easier. Don't plan!
Just after parking to start our hike, we saw some para-gliders taking off. Looks like fun. I could see this being addicting. It would be like a much extended version of a skydive without the free fall but with more time to play.
I think I want to try it.We've all seen the warning signs for falling rocks, but how about trees? I think it is because a forest fire went through the area 4 or 5 years ago. It's a lot more re-grown than when I was here 18 months ago.
This was a special spot for Huey and me the first time I came to Maui. We sat and talked on Christmas Eve 2008 about things I can't remember anymore. But I remember the good day feeling that this place brings back.
Some of our hiking crew! If you'll notice, I look a bit tense. That is because for my 6'7" boyfriend, this was but a little hop to get on. And he is very coordinated and comfortable with heights (there's quite a drop to our left). For me there was pulling up top and pushing from below involved to get me here. And since a forest fire went through here several years ago...
...the trees are still covered with charcoal. Worth it for the picture though. I was politely told to "watch where you sit after the hike." I won't bore you with that picture though.
When we reached the far end of our hike, we had one of the rare days clear enough to see the Big Island. If you look very carefully you may be able to make out three of the highest peaks.
Mauna Kea is the world's tallest mountain from base to summit. Yes you read that right. Mount Everest is the tallest above sea level, but Mauna Kea is about 100 feet taller if counted from it's base 5000 metres underwater. Mauna Kea is the mountain on the left. I believe the one in the middle is Mauna Loa and is mostly covered by clouds. I think that might be Kilauea on the left. Anyway, pretty view and apparently quite a treat.
Pretty dusty right now. Look a the dust his feet are throwing up.
Dirty feet = good hike
*183 days is how long my travel insurance company would provide me with coverage.
**Since being here in 2008, they have added a ladder to the hardest part of the hike so non-rock climbers can make it a little easier. I admit, I was relieved to see it as I always struggled with that portion of the hike. However, it takes away a bit of the challenge and makes it slightly less rewarding to get to the end. But only slightly.
***There actually is AC at his place but because of the cost of power, many people try not to use it. I am saving my AC requests for later in the summer on days we work all day at the house.
****Maui is made up of the Haleakala crater in the southeast and the West mountains in the northwest and a lovely valley in the middle. Several communities, hiking trails, parks and farms around the 3000 foot elevation mark (and higher) on Haleakala are considered "upcountry".
The next post will show pictures of our hiking trip to Kauai.
