Once again I find myself saying, "It's good to be back!" On Monday my family and I headed to Hana for three days of camping. Camping is how we almost always celebrate my DH's birthday. Hana, on the east side of Maui, is a place of raw beauty, uniquely colored beaches, and lush foliage. I always feel like I've stepped back in time when I go there. This trip was particularly amazing. I saw the Red Sand Beach for the first time and it truly took my breath away. It is simply stunning. I would love to share this journey to Hana with you in several posts. But in between each post, I plan to continue to share my latest sewing projects. After all, this is a sewing blog!
The road to Hana is a twisting, winding, slithering, beast that follows the edge of the island often at dizzying heights, with over 50 narrow one lane bridges, through dense tropical foliage. I don't mind the road as much when we are driving to Hana, because we hug the mountain. However, coming home, on the outside edge, always makes me a little nervous. This road isn't nearly as unsettling as the road that goes around the West Maui Mountains, but that's a tale I will tell another time.
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| A fine example of the curved nature of the road. |
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| Another view of the road to Hana. |
At about the half-way point we stopped at the Wailua Valley State Wayside. The turnout is difficult to see, and there are only 2 or 3 parking spaces. It's a refreshing place to stop, because you can get out and stretch your legs on a small flight of stairs that lead to a landing which allows you to view the village of Wailua on the ocean side, or the expansive valley on the mauka (mountain) side.
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| Looking into the valley ~ Ko`olau Gap |
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| Wailua |
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| Zoomed in on the quaint little church and taro fields, seen on the left side of the photo above this one. |
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Traveling on we finally made it to the Nahiku Marketplace, about 6 miles outside of Hana. Here you will find several open-air makeshift restaurants. We tried a dish at two of them and both were delicious. We topped our "snack" off with coconut candy (yummy), also sold by one of the local vendors at this site. I just have to share this picture with you. At one of the restaurants, fresh barracuda was on the menu. Someone had just caught a 40 pounder that morning. Check out that jaw, and those TEETH!
Next in my series...The Red Sand Beach. Stay with me. You won't want to miss it! Also, thanks so much for all the lovely comments on my last two posts. My camo shorts held up great in Hana, and I am looking forward to wearing the latest skirt and tank top this week. Anybody else watching Project Runway with me? I was so glad to get back to civilization today, just in time to catch tonight's episode.
21 comments:
Your camping trip sounds like fun, the photos show just how beautiful it is where (or near to where) you live.
Its so green there and very pretty!
How beautiful and peaceful!
Wow, what stunning views. Glad you had a good time!
Yes, I'm a PR junkee this season, though I never really have been in years past. I've even gotten my husband addicted to it. Despite last night's the long dirndl skirt (which I liked, the judges hated) I think Oliver will be the winner.
What a gorgeous place! I love that you really seem to appreciate where you live, and I always enjoy a peek at the beauty of Hawaii.
Your pictures are wonderful. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful place with us. And yes, I've got the latest episode of PR on DVR to watch this weekend.
Oh, that is a beautiful drive. I love the photos you took of the views, especially of the church nestled into the trees with the taro fields surrounding. I can smell the sea in your pics :-) I miss being near salt water at times.
I am looking forward to seeing what you make next, and yes, both my DH and I watch Project Runway.
So beautiful! Thanks for taking the time to share these wonderful photos. At this moment I am sitting in the middle of London in torrential rain - so it a real joy to see these pictures.
Gorgeous scenery!! I'm going to enjoy this series as much as your sewing posts.
I love your scenic photos! It "took me away" with you, as Calgon would say. Thanks for sharing the beauty of Hawaii. I look forward to seeing more.
What a Gorgeous place!
The roads certainly would make me nervous though!
Thank you for posting those beautiful pictures. I love seeing your homeland. You are so blessed to live in such breathtaking surroundings.
Aloha! We took one of those Roberts Hawaii tours out to Hana, but it came back by going around the island as the road had just reopened after an earthquake damaged it some amt of time before. I felt scared enough hugging the mountain, I can't imagine what it was like on the way back. It was a great trip, I'll never forget it.
Looking forward to seeing more of your trip!
Oh, and yes, I'm watching Project Runway. Couldn't make it to the end last night, so I watched it online tonight.
I lived on Oahu for a year and a half but got to visit Maui twice. I loved it.
I miss Hawaii terribly at times so I appreciate you sharing about it on your blog!
Oh I just love Hana! I spent 4 days there and they were 4 of the happiest days of my life. Your post brings back such wonderful memories. Thanks!
Looks like paradise!
Looks like a wonderful holiday!
We don't get Project Runway here in Australia, but I've read about it on other people's sewing blogs. Sounds like a good one for self seamstresses to enjoy.
Great post! Thanks for sharing.
I'm sooo envious!!! You do live in a paradise!!! I'd love to join my DH camping anytime if it looked like that!!! Can't wait to see the red beach!!!
Wonderful pictures! There's nothing like the thrill of driving in the mountains, although I suppose locals get used to it.
And I've only heard of barracudas eating people, not the other way around!
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