Waipi'o Valley took up most of Day 5. My friend, Laura, had been there several times and offered to drive us in her Jeep. We would need 4WD to get down in the valley, so the jeep was the way to go.
We met at Laura's house first. She has an adorable little apartment that has an outdoor kitchen. She showed us some of her current work, gave Craig some sunburn cream, and packed us a picnic. She has little lizards running around her kitchen just like we do on our window sills. I commented on it and she then showed us some eggs they had been laying in a the bowl of shells on her table! It was pretty cool.
We packed up the jeep and headed over to her friend, Scott's, house. He would be going with us. He came out holding three kittens and I said I had to hold them for a minute. I was having cat withdrawals. I held the black one and it was so cuddly and began purring. Once Scott got in, we were on our way. I had mentioned to Laura about stopping at Tex Drive In, and she said we'd be close. I'd heard about this place from a couple of people who said their malasadas were the best. When we arrived, we walked to the back of a little shopping center. I thought it was going to be more old and retro, because I'd heard it had been around for years. But everything was pretty updated. I got a bavarian cream one, and Craig got plain. They were really good. Not very greasy, but light. They are kind of like a square donut that you have have filled with something. I originally wanted mango, but they were out.
So, we headed onto Waipi'o. We started with the lookout which meant we parked our car and headed down a long steep side walk. We took some pictures and started eating lunch at the pavilion nearby. There were stone walls about 2-3 feet high to act as a barrier, and we saw some young girls standing on this while getting their pictures taken. It made me sick to my stomach to watch because it was a cliff right behind them that would plummet them to their death. I assumed they were cheerleaders because I saw one of them do a stance with their arms in the air. So so stupid.
After Lunch, we got back in the jeep and headed down to the valley. That was quite the experience because it was a 25% incline and the road was in horrible condition. There were some people who hiked on foot there and back. I saw an old elderly, asian couple taking a break on their way back up. It was funny because while Craig and I were bouncing around in the back Laura was just casually telling a story as if it were nothing! We got down to the valley and saw the shore. It was a beautiful black sand beach. There were also signs everywhere that stated not to camp there because it was sacred burial ground. We did see some campers, but Laura said they probably got special permission. She said another way people get around camping on the beach is to say they're "fishing."
We headed down a slightly paved road. We passed a car that crashed down the cliff and had been there for awhile. I hope the person made it out ok. We passed several houses along the way that looked pretty interesting. I read that many people who live in Waipi'o Valley don't have running water or electricity, and are perfectly fine with that. Many move out there to detach from society. They can also be wary of outsiders.
We started on the trail and it was mostly walking at first. There were a couple river crossings we had to do. Most were no higher than our calves, but one river crossing went as high as our neck. I guess if we didn't have our packs with us we could have just swam across, but I wanted to take my camera of course! There were tree trunks to climb through, and boulders to climb over. It was the most involved, diverse hike I've done. What was nice about it is that I didn't have to worry about snakes, because there aren't any in Hawai'i! I could grab onto a rock crevice without worry. My legs were definitely feeling shaky after awhile.
We got to the base of the falls and hung out for a bit. Laura and Scott got in the water, but it was way too cold for me. It was nice to just hang out for a bit and talk before taking the trail back.
When we got back to the beach, we hung out there for awhile. The black sand is really fine and feels good to walk on. We passed some horses and one of the ranch guides offered to take our picture with his horses. We told him we'd be riding with Paniolo Adventures the next day, and he said his friend, Mana, worked there. We hung out for a bit longer and headed back. Laura suggested we eat at this little Italian Cafe called, Cafe Il Mondo. It reminded Craig and I of a place we ate in NYC last summer with his sister called, Mapamondo. It was delicious. I got a veggie calzone and Craig got the clam chowder with foccocia bread. It was all so fresh and well made.
We didn't get back to our condo until 9:30 that night which was REALLY late for us, but so worth it. It definitely didn't take that long to fall asleep. Craig and I both agreed it was our favorite day so far. It was such an adventure and different from any hike we had been on so far.
We met at Laura's house first. She has an adorable little apartment that has an outdoor kitchen. She showed us some of her current work, gave Craig some sunburn cream, and packed us a picnic. She has little lizards running around her kitchen just like we do on our window sills. I commented on it and she then showed us some eggs they had been laying in a the bowl of shells on her table! It was pretty cool.
We packed up the jeep and headed over to her friend, Scott's, house. He would be going with us. He came out holding three kittens and I said I had to hold them for a minute. I was having cat withdrawals. I held the black one and it was so cuddly and began purring. Once Scott got in, we were on our way. I had mentioned to Laura about stopping at Tex Drive In, and she said we'd be close. I'd heard about this place from a couple of people who said their malasadas were the best. When we arrived, we walked to the back of a little shopping center. I thought it was going to be more old and retro, because I'd heard it had been around for years. But everything was pretty updated. I got a bavarian cream one, and Craig got plain. They were really good. Not very greasy, but light. They are kind of like a square donut that you have have filled with something. I originally wanted mango, but they were out.
So, we headed onto Waipi'o. We started with the lookout which meant we parked our car and headed down a long steep side walk. We took some pictures and started eating lunch at the pavilion nearby. There were stone walls about 2-3 feet high to act as a barrier, and we saw some young girls standing on this while getting their pictures taken. It made me sick to my stomach to watch because it was a cliff right behind them that would plummet them to their death. I assumed they were cheerleaders because I saw one of them do a stance with their arms in the air. So so stupid.
View from the Look Out
Us at the Look Out
After Lunch, we got back in the jeep and headed down to the valley. That was quite the experience because it was a 25% incline and the road was in horrible condition. There were some people who hiked on foot there and back. I saw an old elderly, asian couple taking a break on their way back up. It was funny because while Craig and I were bouncing around in the back Laura was just casually telling a story as if it were nothing! We got down to the valley and saw the shore. It was a beautiful black sand beach. There were also signs everywhere that stated not to camp there because it was sacred burial ground. We did see some campers, but Laura said they probably got special permission. She said another way people get around camping on the beach is to say they're "fishing."
Down in the Valley/Shore
Getting ready to head out
I thought the "Rules of Enjoyment" were worth noting
We headed down a slightly paved road. We passed a car that crashed down the cliff and had been there for awhile. I hope the person made it out ok. We passed several houses along the way that looked pretty interesting. I read that many people who live in Waipi'o Valley don't have running water or electricity, and are perfectly fine with that. Many move out there to detach from society. They can also be wary of outsiders.
Heading down the paved road to the trail
Looking at a plant wall
Getting closer to the trailhead
The view of the waterfall from the road.
There actually used to be two falls here. You can see the trace of the old one on the left. They had to reroute it because the island needed the water.
We started on the trail and it was mostly walking at first. There were a couple river crossings we had to do. Most were no higher than our calves, but one river crossing went as high as our neck. I guess if we didn't have our packs with us we could have just swam across, but I wanted to take my camera of course! There were tree trunks to climb through, and boulders to climb over. It was the most involved, diverse hike I've done. What was nice about it is that I didn't have to worry about snakes, because there aren't any in Hawai'i! I could grab onto a rock crevice without worry. My legs were definitely feeling shaky after awhile.
We had to climb through all kinds of trunks and over boulders.
My Jungle Boy.
Scott at one of the river crossings. This was the deepest one we had to do.
Almost there!
We got to the base of the falls and hung out for a bit. Laura and Scott got in the water, but it was way too cold for me. It was nice to just hang out for a bit and talk before taking the trail back.
Looking up.
Laura, our friend/guide.
Craig, Me, Laura, and Scott
Awkward Picture of Craig's Butt.
Cute Picture of Us.
When we got back to the beach, we hung out there for awhile. The black sand is really fine and feels good to walk on. We passed some horses and one of the ranch guides offered to take our picture with his horses. We told him we'd be riding with Paniolo Adventures the next day, and he said his friend, Mana, worked there. We hung out for a bit longer and headed back. Laura suggested we eat at this little Italian Cafe called, Cafe Il Mondo. It reminded Craig and I of a place we ate in NYC last summer with his sister called, Mapamondo. It was delicious. I got a veggie calzone and Craig got the clam chowder with foccocia bread. It was all so fresh and well made.
I'm now in love with black sand beaches.
Me on the beach.
Craig on the beach.
Beach Boy.
Fresh water, meet Salt water.
Us with a horse.
We didn't get back to our condo until 9:30 that night which was REALLY late for us, but so worth it. It definitely didn't take that long to fall asleep. Craig and I both agreed it was our favorite day so far. It was such an adventure and different from any hike we had been on so far.
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