Monday 21 May

Today we began our journey to the other side of the Island, Hana.

We got up real early, packed up our tent and left Olawahu and hit the 40 mile windey road. Our first stop was at the Twin Falls, after a bit of a hike to get there we enjoyed the cool refreshing waters of this beautiful place.

Along the road there were so many beautiful places to stop and take in the scenery. Here's us at one of the many lookouts.

After a 4 hour drive of beautiful views and tropical rainforest we eventually made it to our campsite in the beautiful Haleakila National Park. It was one of the best campsites we've ever stayed in.

The best apart about this camp site is that it is just minutes away from one of the most scenic wonders of Maui - the Seven Sacred Falls. Of course it didn't take us long to get down to them.. it's so beautiful here.

After our excursion to the falls we headed back to our camp site for dinner where we had an interesting cuisine... check out this clip.


Then before long we were tucked up in our tent enjoying the sites and sounds as we drifted off to sleep.. another great day in paradise.

Sunday 20 May

Pete and I woke up at the crack of dawn again today... funny how we seem to do that when we're camping- but at other times I need a bomb to get me out of bed in the morning.
Today we were off to explore the north coast of the island in our sparkling white car. We had breakfast on the road again next to another beach.














Our parents especially will kill us for this but we were driving along and saw this older man hitchiking on the side of the road. We of course felt sorry for him, it was so hot and he looked like a sweet old man... so we stopped and offered him a lift...

He was an 80 year old man- his name was Bob, nicknamed "King of the Road". Originally from California he had moved over to Maui 9 years ago and had taken up hitchiking daily to different parts of the island. He didnt own a car- coz he likes hitchiking so much. It is his way of meeting new people and seeing the sites in a creative way. He was fun...and he was safe, he didnt hurt us. We're not really into picking up hitch hikers but he looked sweet and innocent enough.... and he was.

He took us to some great places along the way. I think he liked us so much he decided to stay with us...for the whole trip lol lol lol. I dont think it really mattered where we wanted to go...he wanted to come to...Bless his heart, he made our trip that much more interesting. Bob took us to Lorraines for some shaved ice and Pete had a chocolate coated banana....mmm. We also purchased a loaf of freshly baked banana bread.....scrumptious.

Lorraines husband Guy took us on a tour of their land and showed us their banana trees and their water system that Guy had built himself... etc they were really great, friendly, welcoming people... unlike some of the other locals we had met..not personally but some of the hawaiians arent too keen on tourists, lol.
We explored the whole north of the island and then stopped in at Costco (Uncle Paul and Aunty Chris you would be so proud of us- but this time we didnt have your card to steal) Bob took us there so that we could buy a bbq chicken that was in his words " the best on the island", to have for our dinner.

Bob liked his photo taken too lol lol...and he has made up his own little signs that he can hold up in the photos. He also has made his own bumper stickers "Bob King of the Road" (the bumper sticker in the picture mentions Hana - this is a town we will visit tomorrow) which he gives as gifts to the people who pick him up so we will remember him....lol lol. What a legend.


From here we hit the beach, where we had lunch.
I get messages from concerned friends and family.... making sure I am not overdoing it.... just for proof......
Then from here we headed to another beach near our campsite at Olawahu.




















The chicken lasted us all day- we had it for lunch and dinner and it was truly delicious. We sat by the beach and watched the sunset and the surfers..... this is the life. Man... I look like a pig- I guess we did eat like pigs lol lol. It was worth it. MMMMM. Go Bob!

Saturday 19 May

This morning we woke early and went to the shops to grab some breakfast and supplies. Then we went and sat by the beach and ate our breakfast, what a view.



Today we wanted to just chill and take in the beaches...and thats exactly what we did. We bought matching lilo's because temporarily I had to give up the boarding because at nearly 30 weeks pregnant boarding isnt as easy as it once was...so quieter waters and softer surfaces seem to be the better option....Pete thought the lilo was a good option too lol lol..... he didnt quite feel like a man.... in his words "what man uses a lilo" but he looked cute none the less.... and I was so proud of him- he still managed to hold his chin up high.


To top it all off we went to a luau on the beach- to get into the true hawaiian spirit. The food was fantastic, not to mention the performance... Pete especially liked- no LOVED some elements more than others.
You will get the picture, lol.

Friday 18 May

Today we slept in and relaxed and got ready for our flight to Maui! We got our hawaiian airlines flight and in no time we were leaving Honolulu behind and on route to Maui.

As soon as we landed we grabbed our bags and headed for the Dollar car hire and picked up our cool car.

Our camp site was just south of the West coast town of Lahaina, is great and we have the most amazing view of the sea. It's wild camping.. a bush shower and long drop toilet.. nice... but the location makes that all seem insignificant. Check out the view from our tent and look at this clip...

By the time we got to our camp site it was nearly time to sleep, so we quickly popped to the shops to get some dinner then we snuggled up and got ready to enjoy our first night in paradise.

Thursday 17 May

This morning we woke early and said goodbye to Michelle's cat Duncan, then Michelle drove us to the airport,

We were sad to say goodbye, thanks again Michelle for everything. After a spanish inquisition at the airport, and a dreaded SSSS check.. which Richard would know all about... we eventually got our plane to Hawaii. There was a small problem as the plane we planned to catch was delayed so we were put onto a United Airlines flight and ended up having to go through Hawaii's Big Island, Kailua airport then transfer to Honolulu.. so it was cool we got a free trip to another island... yay!!



On our arrival into Honolulu we quickly boarded a shuttle and headed for our hotel, the Aqua Palms. We have free internet access and so I was able to briefly chat to mum on Skype which was great. I could see her but this computer didn't have a camera or mike so she talked to me and I typed back to her... pretty funny but it worked well.

After our chat with mum Di and I quickly headed for the beach...



We had a really nice evening and chinese for dinner... it was delicious. The atmosphere here is so relaxed and we can't wait for our week in Maui.. which starts tomorrow!!! Just look at how nice it is here...


We are loving it!!!
I don't know when we will write again as we are camping in Maui... we can't wait!!! Look forward to reporting back soon..

Wednesday 16 May

This morning Di and I slept in as Michelle had to work, back at ILM!! Sorry did I forget to mention she works at ILM.. check out this picture with an award her department recently won, you might recognise it. Di and I spent the morning lazing around before heading off downtown to take a ride on the famous cable cars.


From here we stopped off in Fishermans Wharf for lunch,

before heading to Pier 33 to head off to Alcatraz.

Alcatraz was so cool!! it was so great to visit one of the worlds most toughest jails. It was great to learn about it's history. We took an audio tour and learnt so much... totally recommend it to everyone! We spent a few hours on the Island and we really loved it.

From here we headed back home and spent the evening with Michelle. Thanks Michelle for everything, we're really going to miss you.

Tuesday 15 May

Today was a tour and a half, we had the best tour guide and travelled in style in Michelles Rav 4... Thanks so much Michelle for taking another day off work, we really appreciated it. We began the day back down near the Golden Gate bridge, at a place called Chrissy Field and Fort Point. These places were old military bases so we checked them out and nearly got blown across the water it was really windy.

From here we headed to Sea Cliff and checked out an area where there used to be thermal baths, called the Sutro Baths. Before long we had explored the Golden Gate national park then

before long we were heading through the Haight Ashbury neighbourood and the mission district until we got to a really nice Sushi restaurant on Castro Street.
After a delicious lunch we headed up to Twin Peaks, which is a great lookout over San Francisco, once again it was really windy but the view was great. Then from here we headed down to Pier 14 to get great views of the city from downtown.

Then from here we stopped off at the Coit Tower another famous city landscape which we learnt about from Michelles San Francisco Guide book... aka The Book! Then finally we headed to the Painted Ladies, a row of colourful houses which you might recognise from a hit TV show in the early 90s.

Then from here we headed to another film location which you may recognise..

check out this clip for the answer.

After this day tour we went home and crashed for a few hours before Michelle took us out to a really interesting asian restaurant called Asian SF. We had a great night and there was lots of dancing and entertainment. It also gave us the chance to meet Michelle's new man... Charles...

I think this picture sums up the type of restaurant Michelle took us too... she said we needed the true San Francisco experience.

Monday 14 May - Continued

After our fantastic tour at Skywalker Ranch Michelle took us past one of the famour Wineries here in San Francisco called Viansa and here they had a farmers market which sold as well as wine(which we didn't drink), vinegars, salad dressings, cheese and a whole range of foods and condiments(which we did try).. yum...

We even purchased some Peach Chardonnay Vinegar... which was delicious. From here we headed back towards the city and stopped at a great look out to get some pictures of the bridge. Michelle took us on a tour of the headlands before we crossed the bridge and went for a walk on it.

Then from here we went shopping and then got some Burritos and headed home to watch the new movie The Queen.