On our way to Kona we stopped at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach to see, well, a black sand beach. Not surprisingly, the black sand has volcanic origins and one can still see the typical ripples on the bigger lava rocks.
Black sand from Black Sand Beach
It was also nice to observe several green sea turtles, in the water and ashore.
Green turtle on black sand
Next, we headed to Ka Lae (aka South Point), the southernmost point of the United States. (Key West is just the southernmost point of continental US). Teenagers demonstrate their courage by jumping either from the cliffs into the sea or into a blowhole and swimming through an underwater cave.
South Point – who’s gonna jump next?
Further plans had to be postponed due to the rain on the “almost guaranteed sunshine”-west coast of Big Island.
First day without rain on Hawaii! Having already completed our bucket list for Kauai, we didn’t expect much of this day. But it turned out really well. We googled “Kauai easy hikes” and stumbled across Maha’ulepu Heritage Coastal Trail, close to Shipwreck Beach.
Red coast on Kauai
It was a nice coastal walk with remarkable coastal sceneries and a cave to visit (Makauwahi Cave).
Makauwahi Cave
Rock formations
On our way back we have been rewarded with whale sightings on the horizon.
Didn’t have the zoom camera with us…
And we finally went into the sea and had some fun with the breaking waves. 🙂
Kauai is a beautiful island, but large part of it is de-facto inaccessible. For once we ignored the ecological conscience and booked a scenic flight with a helicopter. There are many companies, but Jack Harter adds a special thrill: doors-off flights with a Hughes 500.
Doors-off heli flight
We didn’t have cloudless sky (hardly ever occurs on Kauai) but still good flight conditions. First highlight was the flight over Manawaiopuna Falls, better known as “Jurassic Falls” (helicopter landing sequence in the first Jurassic Park movie). The pilot even played the movie theme – marvelous!
Jurassic Falls from above
Jurassic Falls
Soon, we reached the Waimea Canyon (see earlier blog entry), now from above and much closer to some great sceneries.
Waimea Canyon
Waipoo Falls
We again crossed one of the wettest places on earth (once more hidden in dark clouds), but soon the sky opened: we have reached the Napali coast. Postcard scenery again!
Napali Coast
Napali Coast
Fortunately, that was not yet the end, also the flight over the Hanalei Valley was breathtaking. And for once the clouds somehow fit into the scenery; dozens of waterfalls within a rainforest-like landscape, coming out of misty mountains… a perfect fit for any fantasy movie.
Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark Jurassic Park (1, 2, 3), Jurassic World King Kong Six Days Seven Nights Tropic Thunder Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides The Descendants
First stop today: Hot Water Beach. Well, that was literally hot! You need: low tide (plus/minus 2 hours), a shovel and you’re ready to dig your own hot water pool. The water pouring out is either cold, warm or boiling hot. But you’ll realize it soon enough.
Hot Water Beach
Close to it is the Cathedral Cove. Very picturesque – very touristy. But again, just do the side-walk to a lookout and you’re alone.
Sailing Rock
On partially unsealed roads we passed the Waiau Falls (good for a short swim) and reached our campground at Shelly Beach near Coromandel just before the nice sunset.
Today’s target was to reach Kalbarri. We stopped quickly for lunch and gas in Geraldton, before heading to Port Gregory’s viewpoint on the Pink Hutt Lagoon. The pink color is produced by algae omitting carotene.
Before reaching the small village Kalbarri, we did a short walk and enjoyed the scenic views of the wild westen coast.
For tonight we booked a site with a private shower / toilet – camper’s luxury.
