Road to Hana

Ah, the Road to Hana. Everyone talks about it, it is a must do and very scenic. Take a boxed lunch and stop at all the sights. Waterfalls and gorgeous views at every hairpin, narrow, death drop turn. Actually, it is not that bad when everyone is patient and in no hurry. The average speed limit is 15 mph. That is why it takes about 3 hours (with no stops) to go 30 miles.
All the bridges are one car only, so you have to yield to oncoming traffic. Everyone thinks THEY are oncoming traffic! The road will be two lanes and then all of a sudden, turn into one for a short time. The locals drive the road at break neck speed, which the Handsome Husband considered a challenge on the way back. It took us only two hours to drive back and I was a nervous wreck. Locals passed us (and 4 or 5 other cars at once) going at least 30 on the wrong side of the road and took turns in that lane. So lucky no one was coming the other way, because it would have been a head on catastrophe.
Okay, enough of the road and on to the sights. First stop was Twin Falls, it will be the only one I name because all the others had Hawaiian names that I can't remember and didn't write down. It was an easy 20 minute hike back to the falls. The girls found this little hut.

Ah, we found it at last. Not much of a fall, just a little trickle, but a nice inviting pool of water to refresh yourself in.

HH did just that.

Stunning views

There are lots of road side stands selling fruit, homemade ice-cream, leis and coconut juice. This was Coconut Glenn's. Glenn himself served us. We had homemade coconut and jack fruit ice-cream. Jack fruit is the fruit flavor used in Juicy Fruit gum. It was really good. Just to keep it real, this is where I believe I received all my bug bites. I slapped a good 10 mosquitos and left the little shack, but by the time I got back to the hotel, I had over 15.

I got a quick picture of this guy, when we first saw him, he was with two other little pigs.

One of the most stunning stops was this National Park. It contained a black sand beach and fresh water caves.

Notice the Warning signs (because my family never does).

So beautiful.

Went down to the black sand beach, which was really little rocks. Katie was disappointed because she though it would be fine black sand. I'm glad she choose not to go in because of all the warning signs for heavy current, man-o-war jelly fish and regular jelly fish. There were a lot of people in the water.

We then decided to see the fresh water caves. Some local boys were there and they showed us where to jump in and where the secret tunnels were. This was the favorite thing everyone did.

Katie

Delaney

They had so much fun here.

This side of the island definately is more tropical and jungle-y. Its what you think of when you think of Hawaii.