More exploring in paradise

 It was pretty hard choosing which photos to upload on the blog tonight...we have seen so many beautiful sites the last 5 days, even our crappy duct-taped-up-$100 camera has managed to capture some awesome shots!  We visited the eastern side of the island a few days ago.  Its a pretty touristy route, 'the Highway to Hana', but we managed to turn it in to a bit of an adventure by taking the camping gear and finding a quiet spot to park up for the night.  The eastern side receives a lot more rainfall than the west, so it was LUSH green with stunning rainforest and beautiful freshwater swimming holes & waterfalls, thanks to the streams trickling down the mountain.  The narrow road hugs the cliff edge, and weaves its way in and out of beautiful forested valleys.  We stopped at a few of the swimming holes along the way - one of which was crystal clear & partially contained in a cave, and was fab to have a cool dip in!  Gave us an insight in to the typical Maui tourist though....these pools are just gorgeous and are begging you to jump in (irresistable in the heat!), but so many people would not do it....either too intimidated, too afraid of getting outside their comfort zone, or just a bit rushed perhaps?  I found their behaviour very curious - they'd drive for miles to see a lovely site, they'd stop for 2 minutes along with the rest

of the tour bus peoples, take a few photos and then disappear to drive to the next site.  I don't know - maybe Brent and I just have a different appreciation for nature's beautiful spots, and want to fully experience it!   Or perhaps these people are only on holiday for 1 week and don't have the luxury of 3 wks to fully explore & unwind on the island.  Suppose we are lucky in that way.  Anyway, enough moaning about other tourists (there actually weren't many people - it was pretty quiet out that way).  Lots of fruit stalls were dotted along the road and Hawaiians selling yummy banana bread every few kms or so.  So had to sample the local flavours of course!  We camped on a cliff edge, in a small isolated campground...a stone's throw from the popular 'Seven Sacred Pools', which were beautiful and definitely best experienced first thing in the morning

when nobody else is there (a flowing series of freshwater pools split up by little waterfalls)!  Also hiked for about 45 mins to a 400 ft waterfall; the trail passed through a thick bamboo forest - the bamboo swayed in the wind and sounded like lots of wind chimes all together! Saw some cool sites along the way, and made us feel like we had a real tropical island experience!
Back in Paia, we spent a couple of days snorkelling and attemping surfing again (don't think this sport is my forte, although Brent seems to be a natural)....also we biked up the Skyline Trail which was about a 3500 foot ascent on nasty loose shingle / lava rocks, which was equally as tough to descend!  It was at the top of Haleakala Mountain (10,023 feet) so the lungs definitely felt it. :-)  Was a fun and physically tough ride, about 4 hours or
so, and was pleased that both of us got back to the car with no blood showing!  (those lava rocks are seriously sharp, and not to be messed with!)
Today was a neat day.  We took our Toyota station wagon off on an adventure to the NW side of the island - isolated, rugged and flippin narrow roads!  Snorkelled at Honolua Bay (see pic), and managed to spot a few new species, inc a lobster nestled under a rock!  Not the best snorkelling we've done but still a cool spot.  Then ventured on to the blowhole, which was raging when we arrived (maybe 50-60ft high), with high tide and the big swell....sweet to watch!  Didn't want to get too close though (those things can suck you back down the manhole) :-)  Next stop was the Olivine Pools - a natural swimming hole, set in smooth lava rocks, hugging the coastline and some fierce ocean swell just next to it!  Was a memorable spot to wind up the day, and have a relaxing dip along with the crabs, little fishies and urchins that dwell in those pools too (ouch).  (fortunately sharks couldn't make it in to this pool, hehe)
So tomorrow we are going to try and get out early, do some snorkelling, and hopefully see some turtles!  Then this weekend, we are heading to Lanai, which is a neighbouring island...Tracey and her boyfriend Dean

are coming with us too, for some mt biking on the island, so should be well fun!  Camping next to the idyllic sandy beach there too.... be back after our little adventure this weekend :-) From us two, Cheerio for now xx