The Payne Family: Maui Day 3: The Road to Hana (Part 3)

While traveling the Road to Hana, we encountered a man who lived in California, but also lived some of the year in Maui. He told us that once we got to Hana, we would find a fantastic Thai restaurant there. That sounded so yummy! So we went on a search for it.

This is the sign we found off the side of a little road in Hana town.

What a menu! Justin ordered the Stir fried Opaka with Ginger Sauce and I ordered the Pad Thai Noodle with Shrimp. We split them both between us ;)

Ahhh! Finally eating lunch and it's now 4pm!

(notice my Maui Revealed Guidebook in front of me ;) I am researching what to do next)

It was the most delicious Thai food.

They closed right as we were finishing up.

This is what the front of the little restaurant looked like.

Back on the road again. We were really exhausted at this point but wanted to make it to the place where most people end at on this journey before they turn around and head home. And that place is the Seven Sacred Pools. (Ohe'o Gulch)

Justin kept making fun of me because I kept taking pictures of all the cows on the side of the road. I just didn't expect to see so many cattle in Maui!

We reached the 7 Sacred Pools just past mile 42. This area is part of the Haleakala National Park so it was supposed to be $10 to park. But we were getting there so late, that the gate lady, looking sunburned and extremely tired, just waved us on in :)

After we parked, we took a small, simple "hike" to the Pools.

The 7 Sacred Pools...

Made up of a waterfall dropping off into a pool, dropping off to make another waterfall, dropping off into a pool, etc...until the last pool enters the ocean.

We had heard that you could swim in the pools, but because of weather in the mountains, the pools were closed off due to safety reasons. Bummer :( But still a really pretty view.

Headed back up the other side of the trail towards our car.

Well, most people turn around at this point and drive the Hana Highway back the same way they came. Its been said that the rest of the road going south is almost un-driveable. 14 miles past Hana, the paved road turns to gravel. Justin and I felt comfortable continuing on going south around the underside of Maui because we had our JEEP! It was a VERY bumpy 5 miles!

During the bumpy ride, we saw a little road angled back down toward the ocean, and we read in my book that it lead to a little church and cemetery. Even though we were sooo tired from the long day (it's about 6pm at this point), we decided to park at the top of the road and make one last stop. There was a chained gate closing the road to vehicles, so we just walked through.

As we walked down the road we came across this view!

We followed the road all the way down to check out this tiny church and incredible scene.

We walked to the edge of the grass (which was a drop off) and looked over into the ocean to see these lava outcroppings in the water. This area is called Mokulau or "many islets".

Standing on the edge of the grassy area looking down.

You can't tell from this picture, but we are REALLY high up. Those black stones are HUGE (like the size of a person!) (Justin, did I get that one accurately or did I exaggerate too much?? ha!)

So pretty

This is looking to the side, back at the mountainous area.

We decided to just sit down on the grass and eat our pb&j sandwich right there at the edge of the cliff, looking out into the ocean, with the church and the mountains right behind us. You couldn't imagine anything better than this! It was such a peaceful moment sitting there all by ourselves, listening to the waves.

Then back on the road!