Day 12: Road to Hana - the backside part I

Yep, another part I ... you know what this means; tons of pictures coming up!

Note: up to this point we have been traveling clockwise from Paia to Kipahulu, but this post starts off backtracking, traveling counterclockwise from Kipahulu to Hana. I'll mention when we change directions again.

Besides being a sign of a day well spent, arriving late means you get to explore your accommodation in a very different light when you wake up. It's almost like unwrapping a present!

Stepping out onto the lanai it looks like we're in the heart of the jungle

One of the most peaceful places I've ever visited.

I love places with character and I think these pictures show why we choose to book through AirBNB time and again.

Communal dining room/kitchen 

 The immaculate grounds

Panoramic ocean views from high atop the bluff

We walk a short distance out of the back of the property to Kipahulu Point Park and Palapala Ho'omau Church and cemetery. Most tour groups will stop here later in the day to visit the grave of aviation legend Charles Lindbergh, but in early morning the place is deserted.

A small signs welcomes us back to Hale Mano (home of the shark).

One of the unique features of the property is the spacious, open air yoga studio

Sadly, while clothes make the man, even the ideal yoga studio couldn't help this stumbling fool pull off a gracious pose.

Our lovely hosts had suggested booking at least two nights to let our minds unwind, but with our
"go-go-go!" mentality we reasoned that our already tight schedule barely allowed time for one night, let alone two. Now I wish we'd listened ...

Wooden sculpture on the lawn

Another part of the same sculpture

After spending longer than planned sitting on one of the benches overlooking the ocean, we grudgingly pack up our belongings and head back out to the real world. "Next time," we say, "next time we'll stay that extra day."

How I wish that to be true!

Having overshot Hana by about 10 miles we start off having to backtrack a little ways, passing by the 80ft high Wailua Falls right by the side of the road. Easy to find, accessible, and with ample parking opportunity these falls should not be missed.

And a couple of miles later we drive by the smaller Paihi Falls

Wow, can you believe we saw all that before breakfast?! But we're starting get hungry now so we drive straight to Tutu's snack shop on the southern end of Hana Bay. They still have to fire up the grill when we get there and as you can tell it doesn't look like much, but where else can you go? Hana isn't known for its fine dining.

Breakfast sammies in hand we sit down at one of the picnic tables overlooking Hana Bay.

It's a nice spot to have breakfast, but not worth a stop otherwise, so after we finish our breakfast we get ready for our drive back to Ka'anapali.

First up a black & white of the ocean pounding on the rock at one Hana's beaches.

If you liked that, just wait until you see it in color ...

 Hana's Red Sand Beach

I will say that it looks better in pictures than it does when you see it in person, because the actual sand pocket is very small with most of the beach made up of large pebbles that haven't broken down yet.

In addition, the path leading down to the beach is considered dangerous because of the risk for landslides. Sandy - ever the sensible one - waited for me at the top.

Not a good picture, but at least you know what you're getting into.

On our way out of Hana we stop at the ONO fruit stand for some fresh fruit. Om nom! They sell passion fruit. Also, another lychee relative called longan. This article does a great job of describing the difference between lychees, longan and rambutan.

Note: from this point on we will be traveling clockwise again.

Posing at the beach with my all fruit ... notice how my hair is sticking straight out to the side. Windy much?

Koki Beach is just a short distance past Hana and also shows traces of red sand. 

Wheeeeee ... there is a rope swing! Great for kids and adults who refuse to grow up.

There is also a sea arch off in the distance

A nice overview of the beach from the parking area (the sea arch is partially visible behind the tree).

 Hana's nicest beach is the crescent bay known as Hamoa Beach. There's an easy walk down to the beach via a paved path, but the view from the top is nice too.

Clear water, fun waves and soft sand, plus a bathroom! ... what more can you ask for? If you're lucky you might even catch some surfing and body boarding action further out in the bay. I would have loved to go boogie boarding here.

Waves can get large and powerful since this beach is unprotected so use caution. My underwater camera (and I) took quite a beating taking pictures of the waves here. Yep, that was the last time that camera worked properly.

Leaving the beach is always hard for me, but as Sandy pointed out we had to get back to the hotel before dark and a lot of ground left to cover.

Another waterfall heading towards the Ohe'o Gulch ... not sure which one though?

Tiny photo-sized falls require a short trek down a steep hill

Sandy probably preferred to stay with the car instead of heading down a slippery slope, but who else was going to take my picture?! So, after canvassing a doable route I dragged her down for my waterfall shot.

I was too paranoid about getting hit in the head to actually get under the falls, but I did get waist deep in the pool at the bottom.

Next stop: Ohe'o Gulch, part of Haleakala National Park. To be continued in part II ...