Marc's Public Blog


All | Aquariums | Arduino | Btrfs | Cars | Cats | Clubbing | Computers | Dining | Diving | Electronics | Exercising | Festivals | Flying | Halloween | Hiking | Linux | Linuxha | Monuments | Museums | Outings | Public | Rc | Sciencemuseums | Solar | Tfsf | Trips




More pages: March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 March 2004 February 2004 January 2004 October 2003 August 2003 July 2003 May 2003 April 2003 March 2003 January 2003 November 2002 October 2002 July 2002 May 2002 April 2002 March 2002 February 2002 November 2001 October 2001 September 2001 August 2001 July 2001 June 2001 May 2001 April 2001 March 2001 February 2001 January 2001 December 2000 November 2000 October 2000 September 2000 August 2000 July 2000 June 2000 April 1999 March 1999 September 1997 August 1997 July 1996 September 1993 July 1991 December 1988 December 1985 January 1980



2010/09/07 Diving in Maui
π 2010-09-07 01:01 in Diving
We spent 3 of our mornings in Maui diving with Ed Robinson's Diving Adventures since we had a great time with them last year. It was only 8 dives, but still, they were good ones, especially the plane wreck, boat wreck, and the amphibious vehicle wreck.
You can see many more pictures of our Maui Trip here.

This was the first day, including a wreck dive:


Molokini
Molokini








Second day:






nice frogfish
nice frogfish



wrecked plane
wrecked plane



grr...
grr...

Third day:


Molokini Birds
Molokini Birds

Molokini Birds
Molokini Birds








amphibious vehicle
amphibious vehicle


we finally found an octopus
we finally found an octopus

once it's found, it sticks to you for protection from other predators
once it's found, it sticks to you for protection from other predators







See more images for Diving in Maui
2010/09/06 Flight Around Hawaii's Maui, Molokai, and Lanai
π 2010-09-06 01:01 in Flying, Nflying

(If you do not see any track on the map, click on '07 Day 05: Maui Flight' in the upper right corner twice).

As part of our vacation in Maui, I figured a good way to have another view of everything we visited, and a peek at what we couldn't visit like the neighbouring islands). It was nice to see the coastlines we had driven on, and especially the long sliding sands trail that we didn't hike all the way to the end :)
You can see many more pictures of our Maui Trip here.

Just like Hawaii last year, it made sense to rent a plane with a CFI and just do the scenic flight without the need to be checked out. On Maui, Maui Aviators was the place to go for renting a GA aircraft with a CFI if you don't get checked out. At a few times, it was also nice to hand out the controls to the CFI and let him fly while I was too busy taking pictures of a waterfall while we were in a steep turn close to the rocks :)



The flight started with the north of Maui, and its crappy one lane dirt road :)


the 'fun' one lane dirt road full of blind turns portion of Hwy 340
the 'fun' one lane dirt road full of blind turns portion of Hwy 340



We then flew towards Molokai Island:

Molokai waterfalls
Molokai waterfalls

Molokai's Kalaupapa Airport
Molokai's Kalaupapa Airport

Molokai Leper Colony
Molokai Leper Colony

Molokai Airport
Molokai Airport

Molokai reef
Molokai reef




After that, we headed for the coast of Lanai:

The non pretty side of Lanai
The non pretty side of Lanai




Before heading back towards the main island of Maui on the Lahaina side:

Lahaina
Lahaina

Jet Skis
Jet Skis






and transitionned to the other half of Maui, starting with the Kihei coast:

North Kihei
North Kihei

South Kihei
South Kihei

Kamaole Beach Park
Kamaole Beach Park

South Kihei Boat Ramp we go diving from
South Kihei Boat Ramp we go diving from


Wailea
Wailea

Wailea
Wailea

Makena
Makena

Little Beach, just north of Big Beach
Little Beach, just north of Big Beach

Big Beach
Big Beach




We then did a little side step to Molokini which has such incredibly clear waters and good diving:

Molokini
Molokini





and back to South Maui:

Big Beach
Big Beach

The other 'fun' dirt road, south Maui. At least this one is a 2 way road
The other 'fun' dirt road, south Maui. At least this one is a 2 way road



We then 'climbed' to the top Haleakala a bit quicker than it takes to drive and hike :) and had a look at

The observatories at the top of Haleakala
The observatories at the top of Haleakala

Sliding Sands Trail
Sliding Sands Trail



The Pu'uo we spent 1H to hike down to
The Pu'uo we spent 1H to hike down to


The ambitious hiker can actually hike all the way down to the beach from 10,000ft
The ambitious hiker can actually hike all the way down to the beach from 10,000ft



After that, we flew from South Maui (through the seven sacred pools), to West Maui/Hana, and Hana Airport (including the trike from Hand Gliding Maui), and back to Kahului:


yes, they have nice waterfalls
yes, they have nice waterfalls

The big waterfall is the end of Pipiwai trail
The big waterfall is the end of Pipiwai trail

Seven Sacred Pools
Seven Sacred Pools

Hamoa Beach south of Hana
Hamoa Beach south of Hana

Hana's Red Sand Beach
Hana's Red Sand Beach

Luana Spa where we stayed in Hana
Luana Spa where we stayed in Hana

Hana Airport with its Hand Gliding Trike Base
Hana Airport with its Hand Gliding Trike Base



The Winding Road to Hana
The Winding Road to Hana

More Wining Road to Hana
More Wining Road to Hana

Back to Kahului Airport
Back to Kahului Airport


The flight was just around 3H, a good way to see Maui and the nearby islands.


If you wish, here is a link to a big georeferenced map of the Maui Flight (you can turn on display of other gps tracks by clicking on their name in the upper right corner twice).

2010/09/02 10 day vacation in Maui to visit, hike, fly, and dive
π 2010-09-02 01:01 in Ntrips, Trips
Last year, we took a nice honeymoon in Hawaii, it was our first time there. Back then, we only had a week in Maui and went through some of Maui a bit quickly, and definitely missed some parts :)
Our first anniversary celebration was a chance to try this again and explore what we missed last year.



Here's a quick overview:

  • Kahului
  • Road to Hana
  • Luana Spa
  • Hahanu Gardens
  • Waianapanapa Beach and Coastline
  • Venus Pool
  • Seven Sacred Pools
  • South Maui
  • Kula Enchanting Floral Garden
  • Surfing Goat Dairy
  • Haleakala
  • Haleakala Sliding Sands Trail
  • Haleakala Sunset
  • Kaluhui Airport/Maui Flight
  • Kihei Keawakapu Condo
  • Maui Diving
  • Iao Needle
  • Waihee Plantation
  • La Perouse Bay
  • Big Beach and Black Sand Beach
  • Old Lahaina Luau
  • Kaanapali_Zipline
  • Maui North West Loop: Blowhole and Olivine Pools
  • That's all Folks
  • Kahului

    We started in Kahului, where we landed and where you can shop for food (good plan before heading for Hana which is a bit bare).

    We went to the pretty but overpriced Mama's Fish House by the beach for lunch:


    MC Escher was here :)
    MC Escher was here :)




    Road to Hana

    After the late lunch, we did the road to Hana. Google maps was very optimistic about the road to Hana, 1:09 is a bit fast, even for me :)
    Garmin was more realistic with 03:11.
    We stopped by the Garden of Eden and did the nearby hike around the waterfall, which got us back into the park from the side. The peacocks and especially the duck were very friendly if you had food :)

    1H09, maybe if I floor it with no one on the road :)
    1H09, maybe if I floor it with no one on the road :)

    waterfall trail by the garden of eden
    waterfall trail by the garden of eden










    By the time we got to Hana, it was of course raining
    By the time we got to Hana, it was of course raining



    Luana Spa

    We then arrived at the Luana Spa where we were staying for two days to visit Hana a bit less hurringly than last year.


    Jennifer cooked us some great meals, with fresh fish I had juat bought :)
    Jennifer cooked us some great meals, with fresh fish I had juat bought :)






    Hahanu Gardens

    The next morning, we went to Hahanu Gardens, with the great opening hours of 10:00 to 14:00 M-F. Despite the hours and resulting difficulty to visit or to even find at the end of an unpaved road, it was worth it.



    there were lots of dead lobsters that got washed on the 'beach'. Too bad none were fresh :)
    there were lots of dead lobsters that got washed on the 'beach'. Too bad none were fresh :)



    Waianapanapa Beach and Coastline

    After that, we went to visit the Waianapanapa beach and coastline:

    Warning, warning signs are dangerous! :)
    Warning, warning signs are dangerous! :)










    Venus Pool

    The next morning, on our way out we finally found the Venus Pool that I couldn't find last year:





    Seven Sacred Pools

    We then went on our way to the seven sacred pools, which were closed due to water contamination (someone with HepC cut themselves and put blood in the water, it takes a while to flush). That said, it wasn't a biggie, we had already been in the pools last year and instead we used the opportunity for a nice quiet picnic by the water that no one was in :)




    Then, we finally went for the entire Pipiwai trail with its very nice waterfall at the end

    very nice bamboo forest
    very nice bamboo forest





    South Maui

    We then finished the loop around South Maui and made it to the Tedeschi Winery in 1h20, which I'm told is a good time for that road :) We made it to the Winery just in time to visit it before they closed :)

    nice roads :)
    nice roads :)

    they also have nets to catch fallings rocks, which is good (the north west side is missing those)
    they also have nets to catch fallings rocks, which is good (the north west side is missing those)

    fun 'straight' road
    fun 'straight' road

    we were able to see Molokini from the road
    we were able to see Molokini from the road

    and we then finished the evening Upcountry Bed and Breakfast for a nice sunset in a jaccuzi :)







    Kula Enchanting Floral Garden

    The next morning we went to the Enchanting Floral Garden in Kula, which was a quite nice place to visit.












    Surfing Goat Dairy

    After the Floral Garden, we went to check out the Surfing Goat Dairy, play with some goats, and eat some goat cheeses.






    Haleakala

    And we then headed to the top of Haleakala to have a picnic to acclimate before our hike.

    on the way up, we saw the Pu'uo we were going to hike to
    on the way up, we saw the Pu'uo we were going to hike to

    at the top of a bit over 10,000ft, there were a lot of observatories
    at the top of a bit over 10,000ft, there were a lot of observatories






    Haleakala Sliding Sands Trail

    Then, was time for our hike on Sliding Sands trail. Everyone made a big deal on how it was a tough hike, but we hiked a sustained 2.2mph on the way down and up (actually speed was almost just as fast on the way up). We were up and down in 2H, including some stops for pictures.
    It was actually a nice easy hike:


    you could get a horse ride to the bottom and back
    you could get a horse ride to the bottom and back


    our target, the Pu'uo
    our target, the Pu'uo

    the trail goes much farther if you have time
    the trail goes much farther if you have time






    Haleakala Sunset

    After the hike, we stuck around to watch the sunset, since we had done sunrise the previous year. What was interesting was that we were actually sitting on top of a rainstorm which I drove back down to after the sunset.










    Kaluhui Airport/Maui Flight

    The next morning, we went to Kaluhui airport for a very nice flight around Maui and the neighboring islands, visible on a separate web page (follow the link for more pictures).




    Kihei Keawakapu Condo

    By then, we had moved our base back to Kihei, where Jennifer found a nice condo just by the diving boat ramp. Jennifer was very happy with the kitchen :)


    the ocean view was decent :)
    the ocean view was decent :)



    Maui Diving

    Most days from then, we went diving in the morning with Ed Robinson's diving adventures. There are lots of pictures on the separate Maui Diving page






    Iao Needle

    Our first afternoon, we went to see the Iao Needle:








    Waihee Plantation

    The next afternoon, we went to the Waihee Plantation to do their nice hike:

    our first stream crossing
    our first stream crossing

    and this was our target
    and this was our target




    La Perouse Bay

    The next day, we had a dive-free day we used to go visit the south side of the Island on the Kihei side, aka the end of the road on that side of the island, a mere 5 miles from the higher up road going to Upcountry. Too bad the old makena road linking the two was closed to the public years ago after some idiots had an accident and sued the land owners (die in hell, idiots!).
    Anyway, going to the end of that road to hike to the south side of the Island from La Pérouse Bay, was fun.


    lava rocks
    lava rocks


    this looked like a water pipe going to a few houses, apparently it wasn't worth digging the conduits in :)
    this looked like a water pipe going to a few houses, apparently it wasn't worth digging the conduits in :)



    Big Beach and Black Sand Beach

    On the way back, we hit Big Beach where a few people were playing with the waves:






    Old Lahaina Luau

    The next day, we went to look around Lahaina before our Luau that evening:

    the giant tree is still unbelievable
    the giant tree is still unbelievable

    end we then went to the Old Lahaina Luau:






    after dinner, they had a nice show for us:






    Kaanapali_Zipline

    The next morning, our last day, we went to Kaanapali to try their ziplines. While they are overpriced in my opinion, they were quite fun.



    A couple of videos:




    Maui North West Loop: Blowhole and Olivine Pools And to finish the day, and our trip, we did the north west loop that Jennifer wasn't feeling too well for last year: the blowhole, and olivine pools with lovely 5mph one lane road at the end.

    the road is nice at the beginning :)
    the road is nice at the beginning :)




    the blowhole
    the blowhole



    and the Olivine Pools
    and the Olivine Pools

    full of life
    full of life





    After that, was the 5mph one lane road full of blind turns back to Kahului. Thankfully everyone we caught up with was nice enough to pull over and let us pass: my strategy was to gun it in the straights and be very careful on the blind turns. This got us out of it in record time.





    That's all Folks

    The next morning, we were on a plane back to SJC (flight time was a mere 4.5H thanks to a nice tailwind).

    If you wish, here is a link to a big georeferenced map of our Maui trip.


    More pages: March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 March 2004 February 2004 January 2004 October 2003 August 2003 July 2003 May 2003 April 2003 March 2003 January 2003 November 2002 October 2002 July 2002 May 2002 April 2002 March 2002 February 2002 November 2001 October 2001 September 2001 August 2001 July 2001 June 2001 May 2001 April 2001 March 2001 February 2001 January 2001 December 2000 November 2000 October 2000 September 2000 August 2000 July 2000 June 2000 April 1999 March 1999 September 1997 August 1997 July 1996 September 1993 July 1991 December 1988 December 1985 January 1980

    Contact Email