We were early risers today to make the trip to Waipi'o Valley. Got our daily breakfast and took off in our awesome Kia Rondo rental. The valley is in a town called Honoka'a on the north side of the island. This side is much more green because they get more rainfall. It's crazy the difference in climate in such a small area. I think the trip around the entire island is 222 miles but the west side only gets 10 inches of rain a year whereas the east side gets about 150. We're on the side with less rain and haven't had any rain since we've been here!
We got to Waipi'o Valley extra early so we just waited looking at the amazing countryside. It looked more like Wyoming than Hawaii.
While we were sitting in our car waiting at this ranch a guy came out from somewhere and immediately reminded me of Mose from Dwight's beet farm. If you watch The Office you know exactly who I'm talking about. The only difference was this guy was shirtless and muscular instead of wearing a button-up with suspenders. He first appeared coming towards us with a wheelbarrow. He then stopped a distance away and began stretching. Then he just took off running. I have no idea where to but he ran as if he forgot to do the most important thing in his life. Then he came walking back towards the wheelbarrow and the second he got to it he took off running again, this time with the wheelbarrow, as fast as he could possibly go. Again, he didn't seem to be running anywhere in particular. All I could think of this whole time was Mose which just made it even funnier to me. The next time he appeared he came up over a hill on a 4-wheeler going like 40 miles an hour while eating a banana. He passed our car, went out of sight, and then reappeared but this time behind some trees. And just sat there on his vehicle with his banana peering out from a bunch of brush and trees. I'm really wishing I had taken a picture of him. I expected him to be mute like Mose but I did eventually hear him talk.
As we sat there waiting 2 more cars pulled up, one with a couple and one a family of four. We learned that the couple is from Cape Coral, FL which is where some of our family lives. The lady even went to and works at FGCU which is where 3 of my cousins go/went. Small world!
So after checking in, eating an apple banana from their banana trees, and meeting a 7-month old puppy, we loaded up in the van.
The van tour took us on the most bumpy, windy, steep trail of road we've ever been on. This area is 100% private property, so unless you're a trespasser the only way to see it is on such a tour as we took, but the view was outstanding.
At one point we stopped to get a view of the tallest waterfall in the state at 1300 ft.
You can see it way off in the distance between the two shaded parts of the mountain.
We eventually reached the stables where we saw our horses waiting.
I was given the white one named Mauna Kea, which is the name of a volcano here. Joe got Alla. The ride was awesome and I'll let the pictures and videos speak for themselves.
My horse liked walking so far to the side that he was dragging me through all the overhanging branches and plants. When I would guide him away he would just move to the other side of the trail and do the same thing to the other side of my body. At one point someone saw a huge spider on my horse. I thought I got him off but soon after someone saw it on my leg. I do not do spiders and this was the scariest looking spider I've ever seen in person. It had a bright yellow butt and brown and black striped legs. And did I mention it was huge?! Luckily my guide saved me and brushed it off along with a dead bee that was stuck in a spiderweb strung across my leg that was probably supposed to be that spider's lunch. Aside from the webs, bugs and sore butt it was a fun little adventure with stunning scenery.
After the horseback ride we drove to a restaurant called Tex for lunch, which we had heard about. It was in the small town of Honoka'a filled with locals. Tex is known for their malasadas which are really thick square donuts covered in sugar. Very good!
On our way back to the hotel we saw a sand devil which is like a little twister made of sand that starts from the ground up.
It eventually got longer and thinner until it finally dispersed.
Once we returned we decided to sit out on a cabana chair and enjoy the breeze for a couple hours until the sun set.
I love this picture cause you can see the sunset in his glasses.
As we waited, we saw the fire thrower from the luau running across the entire resort barefoot lighting the torches.
At 6:45 we got to see the Hawaiian sunset. Apparently the sunset is always 180 seconds long every night from the time it touches the horizon until it disappears no matter what time of year it is. It looked like a beachball bouncing in the water as it went down.
We finished the night at the Mololo Lounge. I, being who I am, ordered a full wine glass of chocolate mousse for dinner. Joe got fish.
More pics on facebook and to see videos just go to uTube and search for videos by jamiemikol.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Big Island of Hawai'i
No comments:
Post a Comment