Hawaii Report - Day 6

[kmusser]

We don't have all that much left on our to do list, but one of them is to visit the green sand beach that is fairly close. Since we have time we decide to take the long way (or as our host who gives us directions calls it, the safari) - this involves taking a 4WD road south from Na'alehu to the coast and then following the coastline to the beach, roughly 10 miles (our route is on the annotated map). First we stop at a bakery in town and fortify ourselves with malasadas, yum, then we're on our way. We soon find the term "road" is used generously, still the track is clear enough to follow and the Jeep proves up to the task and I get to show off my L33T 4WD driving skills. It really does feel like going on safari as we're surrounding by either vegetation or lava. As we finally get close to the shore the way becomes less clear with lots of side tracks and the vegetation is thicker, but we manage not to get lost. Following the coast is easier despite many tracks to choose from as the terrain opens up and the coastline is visible most of the way - plus we're driving over dirt rather than lava. We also see more traffic as we get closer to the beach - more than I expected for an area so far from any real roads. We approach Mahana Bay on the side away from the beach, it's quite a stunning view. There is apparently a small cove on this side where you can see chunks of olivine, but the trail on this side looks sketchy, and Zammis' foot still hurts from yesterday - we go around to the other side where the beach is. Papakolea beach is indeed green, or at least an olive drab. The climb down to the beach itself isn't nearly as scary as it looks, there are steps cut into the rock. We go down and have lunch on the beach. Not especially good beach for swimming, the water is cold and the drop off is very quick, but the view is outstanding. After lunch we have a few more miles of 4WD to go to reach South point again and sweet, sweet pavement. Along this portion we have a great views and Zammis even catches a whale breaching! We spend a little more time at South Point, just because we liked it so much. We decide to call the day done early and head back to the house, have the luxury of afternoon naps and have dinner in.

Comments

[keltique.livejournal.com]

I have to say I've really enjoyed your write-ups of the trip. *G* I got lost in the volcano links for an hour last night, and the annotated google map for another 20 this morning. *glee*

Peridot sand... whoa. Had i known you were gonna hit that, I would have asked for a wee ziploc of the stuff. So nifty!

Sounds like you both had a fabulous time!

[zammis.livejournal.com]

yeah- they actually ask you NOT to take the sand, as there are limited quantities- once the cone that created the beach is gone, its gone.
It was neat though. :)