29. Drive the road to Hana

For the past couple of years, I have vacationed in Mexico during the early part of September.  This year, I was looking to go somewhere different and eventually settled on the Wailea area of Maui.  I have had mixed feelings about being here for vacation; yes, it is very pretty and yes, I have found the sun that was missing back home but being that Hawaii is part of the United States...I don't know how to explain it other than I don't really feel like I am on vacation.  My phone works here, chain restaurants and stores can be found here making me feel at times like I am just at a beach and not on vacation.  Back in January and again in July, I was able to go back to NYC and those trips made a great impact on me.  The feeling I got when visiting NYC, I have not felt here.  Some of that feeling changed when I ventured out of the resort area.
I have found great little beaches, experienced part of the culture and even became very found of the music and of course the POG (Passion fruit, Orange and Guava juice). On Sunday, I decided to make the drive to Hana.  There are several people who have told me not to make the drive - "it's a waste of a whole day" or "that road is dangerous".  I took that advice as a challenge and I am so happy I did.
The drive did take several hours but it was well worth it.  As for the road itself, it was not dangerous.  When driving it, you just need patience.  It is a one way highway with many parts only allowing one car to go over a bridge or make a turn.  When I made the drive, it actually rained half the trip.  Just slow down and take in the smells and enjoy the sticky, humidity of the area because turn after turn reveals nature at it's finest.  I enjoyed it so much that I actually drove past Hana until the road, at the edge of the crashing ocean turned to dirt and potholes.  So my advice, make the drive to Heavenly Hana and beyond because there is something very cool about being in a steamy and humid rainforest, overlooking breathtaking ocean views as the warm Maui rain falls upon you.
The pictures I have posted do not do justice to the views, waterfalls, natural pools and experience.