2018-2-2  Time to move to the South side, by way of Haleakala:

Today was the day we were moving to the South side.  Since we had to be out of the Kahana Villa by 11 and couldn't check into the Kihei Worldmark until 4, we figured it was a good day to head up Haleakala with our car full of luggage.
We were a little concerned at first, by all the clouds.  But I know a lot of the times it clears up by the time you get to the top.

So we continued on, passing goats along the way

and ironwoods?

heading into the clouds

into the clouds by the time we got to the entrance. There is a $25 fee to get into the park, unless you you have a National Parks pass like our Old Age passes.

We took a little break at the visitors' center.  Here we got our first look at Maui's endemic Silver Swords.

As we continued up the mountain, we heard a couple pops.  Since we had cans of soda in the back of the car, we figured we better stop and see what was making the pops.  Hadn't thought about the air pressure change causing problems!  One of the first things we noticed were a couple unopened bags of Cheetos that were about to burst.  We decided it was time to open the bags and eat them.  The soda cans were OK. But the Tupperware containers with stuff in them had popped.  At least there were just dry goods in them and nothing was ruined.

Before we continued on, I noticed these pretty wild flowers.

the further up we went, the more the countryside changed to lava beds

and more interesting plants.

When we reached the visitors' center at the crater, there were some clouds hanging in the crevices, but it was as spectacular as I remembered. 

so colorful and unique

Then we went to the summit.  Found the lookout building with the placards to be very interesting,

It definitely took a little time to get adjusted to the higher elevation.  It was also quite cold up there!  and very windy.

According to the sign this is one of the best places in the world for an observatory.  I agree.

the summit overlook

On our way down, we stopped at the crater overlook again.   The ever changing clouds make for ever changing views.

this one made it look like the dome was fuming.

close up of some of the ground in the crater.

In my younger days I would have loved to have hiked some of this trail into the crater.

I was snapping photos of our friends at many of these special places throughout the trip.

Don even snapped one of Becky and me.

We stopped at another overlook on the way down, too.

there we even saw a bunch of these Chukar partriges.  They were introduced to the islands in 1942 as an army food source during World War II. 

After the war the birds were released on the upper slopes of Haleakala in 1954 along with pheasants and grouse.

also saw some more wild flowers

and...

more vegetation as we continued down the mountain.

still above the clouds.

gorgeous in a rugged way

down to residential areas.

Hana road, heading back into Kahului.

Got to Kihei at about 4 and checked in.  We got building 3 this time.  No view, but not far from the  pool and Kamaole 1 beach.   Plus it's the first time we've been on the ground level.  It is rather convenient. 

Since I've taken lots of pictures of the units in the past, I didn't take many this time.

Headed to Peggy Sue's for dinner.  Got done right at sunset, but it was totally overcast again.  No sunset today.  But it was still a great day.

March 4, 2013: Kula Garden, Haleakala--

Up early again.  Today Bill and Sue headed home.  With their flight at 11:55am, they were up and out for their walk early.  Then we headed to breakfast at Kihei Cafe.  Definately an interesting place!  Stand in line to order food, then wait to grab a table, then wait for food.  They certainly do a great business!  I got to banana mac nut pancakes.  They were great.  Everyone else liked their food, too. 

By the time we were done, it was about time to head to OGG.  We probably got them there too early (about 10), but I guess it's better to be early then late.  Since we were on that side of the island, I managed to talk Ken into taking me to Kula Botanical Gardens.  There was a $10/person admission fee, but we enjoyed our leisurely walk.  We probably spent an hour or 2 there.  Unfortunately I don't know as much about plants as I do fish.

 azalea

 ????

 birdies

 map of the garden

purple flowers

One of the beautiful walkways.

 one of the beautiful flowers

 ???

 wish this was my lawn!!!

 a type of ginger!

 protea

 iris?

 protea

 orchid

 orchid

 orchid

 weird antherium?

 talk about root bound!

 pretty gazebo

 bird aviary

 nene admiring a tree

 blood leaf bush---or something like that.

 Almost looks like a Christmas tree farm!

 ?????

 more pretty walkways

 looks like a type of agapanthis (sp)

 hydrangea

 hairy palm???

 just another pretty walkway!

 another pretty protea

 trellis

 ??????

nice place to sit and contemplate the meaning of life!

 even had some of these guys there.

 nifty Dr. Suess tree.

 another orchid?

view to the southwest from the gardens.

Since we were halfway up the mountain, Ken asked if I wanted to go up to the summit of Haleakala.  YES!!!!

I've been up here 3 other times, but this is the first time I've been there when there were no clouds!  It was also about 63 degrees up there and not windy! 

 would be an interesting hike.

Love looking at the cinder cones inside the weathered summit.

view down to the valley from the summit.

finally made it to the 10,000ft mark!

lots of silver swords up here.

heading back down.

Lots of sugar cane fields.

 Cute little white horse

 cute little town of Makawao.

By now it was after 3 and we were hungry.  I remembered Stillwells was a cafe,too, so we thought we'd try it out.  Unfortunately, they stop serving lunch at 3 and they were out of lilikoi desserts, so we had to settle for pie!  It was so good I even forgot to take a picture of it until we were half done.  While we were there, we met a young lady who works on The Pride of America cruise ship that was in port then.  We offered and gave her a ride back to the ship and had a nice visit with her after finishing our pie.  Knew there was a reason we checked out that port earlier in the week!

Having had dessert, it was time for dinner.  So we headed to Round Table pizza again.  We don't have Round Table pizza at home, so have to get our fill now.  Plus my salad and the medium pizza was only $22. 

Heading back to our resort we found traffic a real mess.  There was apparently a fatal accident somewhere around Piilani and S. Kihei.  I guess there aren't many ways to bypass highway accidents here.

Near sunset, I walked across from our resort and wandered between Kameole I and II beaches.  Even watched some volleyball players for awhile.  As an avid volleyball player, I was really wanting to play---will have to wait a couple more days until I get back home!  Don't know about the other sand courts along S. Kihei road, but this court is used alot.

Nearer to sunset I headed off to find a spot to take sunset pictures. On the way, I spotted these cool pups.

 Kameole beach II (down from our resort)

 even got treated to a playfull whale not too far from shore.

and finally, another not too impressive sunset.  But it's in Maui!

Couldn't go the whole day without getting in the water!  So we hit the pool and jacuzzi after dark.  Perfect end to another perfect day!  Only 1 more full day left!!!!