Gallerys Gifts

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Is it real?

Well, yes it is real but is it natural? I don't know . . . We came across this pleasant little surprise when we actually had come to see the Nakalele Blowhole in Maui (photos to follow).

A bit surreal . . .

It's positively glowing . . .

There was no one nearby to take a photo of both of us together.

The drive from Kapalua, around Nakalele Point and on to Wailuku is extraordinary. Nakalele Blowhole is the result of the ocean wearing away the shore below the lava shelf. With each wave, water is forced through a hole in the lava shelf resulting in the "eruption" of water similar to a geyser. The "blowing" of the water varies dramatically depending on tide levels and wave action. High tide and strong surf result in the best effects. The blowhole can be seen from the road when the wave action is right or you can hike down to the area - just don't get too close!

Useful Information:

The blowhole, point and light beacon can easily be seen from the trailhead without taking the hike.
Use extreme caution when walking these trails as they are rocky and descend steeply toward the ocean. Wear sturdy shoes, a hat and use sunscreen. Always bring drinking water, do not hike alone, and tell others about your hiking itenerary.
Be extremely careful around the blowhole as the waves and resulting eruptions are unpredictable and are deadly dangerous.
Never sit on, touch or get close to the blowhole or erupting water.
Monitor the ocean conditions continuously as rough waves may endanger you as the trail nears the water.

Duly noted . . .

It was like a 'moonscape'

I took a tumble on this lava - it was razor-sharp and shredded my hand quite a bit - aarghhh

What could grow here?

Our first glimpse

People! there's a hole there that leads directly into the ocean!!

All I can say is that it was an incredible experience and we came away awed and soaking wet!

Linked up to Sweet Shot Tuesday at 'Life With My 3 Boybarians'
Linked up to Project Alicia

Frangipani

I picked up a franjipani blossom that had fallen on the ground and set it on the hood of our rental car. I photographed it and applied a texture from Cottage Arts. Did you know that a frangipani is a plumeria? I didn't!

Trusty Travel Tripod

Trusty Assistant

Optex DPT175

Trusty Travel Tripod

I really wanted to take my tripod on vacation with me but of course my 'real' tripod is too big and too heavy. So I made a quick trip to London Drugs to see what they might have. Luckily, there was this neat little travel tripod - the Optex DPT175. It fits into a suitcase like a dream and unfolds to three different heights. I would highly recommend it for travelling, especially by air. It comes with a little bag that can be carried like a backpack - truly indispensable! The trusty assistant, however, is not available!

Aloha Maui

Well, hellooo there, I'm Jack . . .


Male Jackson's Chameleon - he actually has 3 horns but they don't all show here

Remember my earlier post about the Jackson's Chameleon? The day we were looking, our friend Lyle spied a female (and that was great). But, I also really wanted to get a photo of a male, but it didn't look promising. Then, on our way down Haleakala, Don said - do you want to go up to Kula (where we usually see them) and check to see if we can find one? We were already past the turnoff and I said - naww, I don't think so - but after a minute we both decided it was worth a try so we turned around (had to go quite a way to find a safe turnaround) and lo and behold there was one there! I spied him way up high in the tree so I had to use my telephoto lens to capture these photos. He was very nervous and his eyes kept turning around and up and down - so funny. I took 50 photos and left him to enjoy the rest of his afternoon in peace.

And here's Jack (ie) if you want to see the female again.

La Perouse Bay

Located at the very end of Makena Alanui Road in South Maui, this lava strewn, alien looking landscape is the result of the last volcanic eruption here. Scientists estimate that in 1790 Haleakala erupted to form the jagged lava rock coastline.

It's an amazing sight to see - it looks like a giant field that has just been tilled and it goes for miles and miles. All photos are mine.

Looking up the slopes of Haleakala

Looking up

Amazing lava 'boulders' everywhere

Right down to the ocean

Haleakala


Yikes! typical view on the way up the volcano . . .

Above the clouds

Looking down into the crater

Cinder cones

Silversword

Spent bloom

It's always a thrill to drive up the volcano - for me it's a bit of a white-knuckler but it's really not that bad and it is such an amazing thing to see. All photos are mine but here is some info that I copied from "Haleakala National Park"

Haleakala is one of two national parks in the HawaiianIslands. Located on the southern section of the island of Maui, the park's 28,655 acres contain one of the most spectacular volcanic craters in the world as well as a beautiful section of the Maui coastline. Land in the park lies at altitudes from sea level along the coast to over 10,000 feet at the summit of the mountain, supporting a range of habitats from subalpine to subtropical rain forests.

The silversword, a relative of the sunflower, is well adapted for its life in the barren high altitude setting in which it is found. It is able to store and retain moisture in special tissue in the "leaves" which allows it to survive in the hostile environment. Layers of white hairs on these leaves help protect the plant from the strong ultraviolet radiation at high altitude and give it its distinctive frosty silver sheen.
The silversword is a large plant, with a rosette measuring up to about 2 feet across. It lives from about 15 to 50 years, blooms only once, sending a stalk 5 or 6 feet upwards, and then dies.

*See Haleakala National Park

I shared my top photo with Theme Thursday on April 28. The theme was 'signs'

I said no!

The rollers at Big Beach were pretty impressive the day we were there. Every 15 minutes the lifeguard would call through the speakers "we have a red flag-day for surf - if you have any doubts about your ability to swim - don't go in, and don't convince your spouse to go in - we don't want to have a bad ending here!" Don of course kept considering it, but I had the last say in that matter . . .

The road to Hana and back

The road to Hana is winding, narrow, beautiful. It encircles the volcano Haleakala from Kahalui back to Kahalui.
'The road to Hana is dangerous. With approximately 600 curve and 54 bridges, the Road to Hana can bring you closer to heaven in more ways than one. With winding roads, blind turns, constant traffic, distracting views, narrow one-lane roads, cliffs, and wet conditions, Hana Highway has proven its worth as a danger with many fatalities. Take your time, and make sure the driver is focusing on the road. The road is long and offers many chances to pull over and take a break or switch drivers. Remember: Getting to Hana is not the gem of this trip; everything along the way is your reward' from "The Road to Hana"
These are just some random photos - random because it would take me hours to get them in the proper order!