Island Excursion: Day 1
Trip Start
Mar 10, 2007
1
167
188
Trip End
Jan 08, 2008
Wailea, Hawaii, United States
Monday, December 10, 2007
I started my trip by driving up past Hilo on the coastal highway, with the end of my trip for today at Waimea in the northern area of Big Island. I made a few stops on the way up the coast though, mainly at scenic points of interest. The first was at Akaka Falls, which, after the hype I had been reading, was not as lovely as I had expected. It is a very high ribbon fall, which drops down a cliff face which is covered in moss, apart from the section that is directly behind the ribbon of falling water. In fact I think that moss covered wall, and its peculiar shade of green was the most stunning part of the fall. In fact the whole area around the fall is rich and varied shades of green, which almost entirely engulf the fall. The best description I can think of for the greenery is fairy-like, and I am not entirely sure why that description os adequate, but it is only the fact that the water is moving that makes it stand out in the scene, If it were somehow a frozen liquid (vertically still, but not ice), you would be too entranced with the greenery to notice the water. It was the landscape and the cliffs that held my attention, rather than the water.
My drive continued up the coast, though progess was fitful as there are quite a number of roadworks going on at the moment. Some are clearing the debris from the recent storms, and others are road improvements, but it all translates as delay, and I was glad I did not have a ride to get to today. I was actually quite glad of the frequent stops as it gave me time to take in the scenery without having to worry about getting in someone's way. No one mentions how difficult it is too look around at scenery while you are driving and trying to keep half of your attention on the road.
My next stop was at the Waipio valley lookout. I could not go down into the valley because I did not have a 4x4, and I was not feeling particularly energetic so I did not walk down (amazing how having a car can make you so lazy.) In truth, from what I saw of the road, it did not look any worse than some inclines that we have at home, which it is entirely possible to navigate in a standard car, but it could easily have gotten more tricky out of sight, so I will reserve judgement. It is also true that it is easier to tackle such roads in a manual transmission, and I had been given an automatic, as it is standard in the US, and I did not feel the same level of control behind the wheel as I do when I drive a manual transmission.
I was also a little put out whan I saw a group of people going down into the valley for a horse ride, I had not considered that as an option. I am looking forward to my open range ride however, as it promises that it is not a nose to tail outing, which should be a new experience.
My final scenic outing of the day was in the very northern part of the island, at the Puhalo Valley Overlook. It is basically a mirror image of Waipio, although it is more remote in a lot of ways as the only way into the valley is by foot. It was also, in my opinion, a much more spectacular lookout, because the sea here has a kaleidoscope of colours close to the shore, which was entrancing to look at.
I made a brief stop in Hawi on theway back to Waimea to see the original King Kamehameha I statue (he was the first king of a united Hawaii) which has been placed there after being lost at sea. A copy is in Honolulu near Iolani Palace, the royal residence, which was commissioned and erected after the original was lost. When the original, the one at Hawi, was dredged up, it was brought here to mark the place where Kamehameha spent his youth. After this, all that remained today was to find a place to park up and sleep. There are no hostels in Waimea, or certainly none that I can find, and I should be fine, for one night, in the car. I should not be bothered if I pull up late and leave early.
Well, I hope not anyway. So, here is to hope.
