Hoku and Haleakala

Hoku in Hawaiian means: Star

Being outside at night is like stepping in a different world. When driving right by the ocean in the day you can't stop admiring the beauty. Everything from the shade of blue to the size and sound of the waves; it is mesmerizing. At night, everyone knows the sharks are out to feed. The calming waters make you uneasy. The teal and baby blue color fade and all you see is black. The ocean is so inviting. In the day the waves roll like laughter begging for you to come play. At night you can feel the intensity of the moment. Its as if every footprint in the sand has to be placed with conscious thought. The ocean that was once innocent is now oozing for excitement, danger, and risk....

Don't know where that came from... A little artistic flow... Anyway! I've slept on the beach twice so far.

Just a tip: Wear warm clothes. I thought I would be fine with sweats and a warm jacket... I was cold and was happy to head back to a nice warm bed. Yes, I went back to sleep it was 5:30 A.M.

I tried sleeping outside by myself in the cute beach chairs with a sun-roof thing. Didn't really work out very well. I was up every hour and when I finally asleep I was awaken by what I thought was a rainstorm. I love the rain so I thought to myself as long as I stay under the roofing I'll be fine... It started leaking through the roof... I grabbed my stuff prepared to book it to the car, when I realized that it was only heavy duty sprinklers!!! Wet and tired I parked it on a hammock a little up the road from the flash flood I just experienced. The hammock was so comfortable but my damp clothes were really uncomfortable and starting to irritate my skin. I headed home at 2:30 in the morning. 

Keep in mind the stars on both of these adventures were fantastic! Laying on a beach for 15 minutes can leave you with at least 3 wishes from shooting stars. 



We went late night hot tubing and got home around 2 A.M.
Snacktime will include a delicious apple banana with my famous boyfriend Justin(peanut butter)

 We decided since we were already up might as well drive 4 hours to get to the Haleakala Crater. I mean what else are we suppose to do at 2 in the morning....        

This is the before picture. 15 minutes after leaving the house my co-pilot Aly decides to fall asleep....
Yay! 4 hour car ride just me, myself and I

 In the fashion that we left the house both Aly and I forgot to grab our wallets. With no money and a DICK state patroller at the gate of the Haleakala National Park that wouldn't take a card number-___- We had to exit the park and flag down a car and fortunately the first car we asked paid $10 for us to get in!!

I had 3 sweatshirts, leggings, sweats, scarf and I was still FREEZING!! It was about 40 degrees F. So compared to Utah winter weather it wasn't too bad. For Victoria who is use to warm nice sunny weather it was soo cold! We got up to the mountain at 5:30; the sun doesn't rise till 6:15...

Was if worth the 4 hour drive?.... Ya... It was cool seeing my first actual sunrise, but it was FREEZING!! I left the mountain sick! Pretty much made me realize I can't go back to Utah winter... EVER!

Paia:Hippies=Bamboo:Forest

Monday 9, 2013

First adventure into Paia... This town is filled with down-to-earth Hippies. Within 10 min. of sitting on the beach Aly and I were offered weed and a beer. Of course we said no thank you and watched the two young adults drift in a pow wow of other free-minded souls; Most of which were in their 40-50s. In Paia we came across a Chinese Cemetery, a crappy beach, and one of the BEST meals I've ever eaten.

This beach was quite lovely, until the wind was blowing blankets of sand everywhere. Of course getting sandy is one of the requirements of being on a beach, but being pelted with sand is not.

Again... Beautiful=YES
Did I enjoy being pegged by sand=NO

Best Meal EVER: Seafood Salad (with Mahi)
@ The Fish Market

At the Beach... Do you see the sand -___-
AINT NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT

September 10

Today we headed back to Paia adding another 45 minutes under our tires. We are now in the beginning of Hana past Twin Falls in between a 2ft. opening into a Bamboo Forest. We are going to find some waterfalls with our new friend Jade Beach.

This is the first waterfall in the opposite direction of the others...

First actual waterfall!!

Side note: Hana was raining a bit before we got there today, so the ground was muddy and slick. I ended up taking off my sandals and going bare foot the whole time. I was one with nature!!

Second Waterfall. To the left behind some of those trees is a ladder. You have to hike through a patch of fermented fruit and climb this slick, muddy ladder to get to the top and continue on!

This is the beginning of the Bamboo Forest

We don't have any pictures of the remaining two waterfalls. Mainly because the third waterfall you have to get in the river and swim to it. Picture in you mind a waterfall flowing steadily into a deep river. This waterfall is surrounded by high rock walls and vines. The only way to continue is climb the waterfall. Looking at this place reminds me of a mermaid lagoon. It is a very mystical and eerie place to be. Then once you are done you rock hop some more till you get to the last and final waterfall. I would say that this waterfall has a bit of a scarier climb than Black Rock since water slightly flows down the edges where you climb up. The jump is about 20-24ft. Took me at least 15 minutes to talk myself into jumping- not a big deal. Hahaha! It took us about 31/2-4 hours total. After we drove home and went hot tubing. :)

Water and Fire

September 2, 2013

Today we drove to the Olivine Pools. When I read a book about them I was under the impression we were going to be able to swim in them.... No not really. We hiked down a steep rock/dirt mountain just to say we did it.... Well we did it.

In Beach n' Turtle post I put pictures of a forest. If you follow down that path it leads you to Honolua Bay.
Chelsea, Aly, and I went snorkeling. It was beautiful! On my way back to shore I heard some high pitch squeals, but didn't see any dolphins. Sure enough, further out there were dolphins and I missed them. I did see the cool blue shiny school of fish in Finding Nemo! What part of the movie you ask? Oh well the part where Dory asks for directions and the school of fish are forming pictures like a swordfish, octopus, lobster.... and eventually they lead them to the EAC and the Jellyfish Forest. 

After Aly and I went to Ka'anapali Beach. The sand was so hot you couldn't walk on it for more than a few seconds before you're sprinting for the ocean!

Made this myself:)

September 3, 2013

First Luau at Royal Lahaina. If you are thinking of pressing play mind you there is a lot of background screams. Turn you volume down haha! On the other hand turn the volume up!! Who doesn't love half naked men playing with fire!! WOOOHOOO!!

I spy with my little eye... Victoria... hahaha!!