I couldn’t help but think of the song by Only Time by Eyna. This photo has me wander lusting.

It is taken on the west shores of Maui. I spend a whole day on the Hana Highway. the Hana Highway took us through various landscapes from bamboo rain forest, black sand beaches, red sand beaches, mountains, valleys,waterfalls and more!  The Hana Highway is a popular tourist attraction on the Hawaiian island of Maui and my not be for novice drivers.We first started our trip from Paia and took the 52 mile (84 km) long highway across some of the most diverse landscape I have seen.

Don’t let the 52 miles fool you. If you don’t stop it takes roughly 2.5 hours. If you take stops, like we did, it will take well over 8 hours. Make a day out of this. The Hana highway is loaded with  very winding and narrow and passes over 59 bridges, of which 46 are only one lane wide. There is is over 600 sharp curves, steep inclines,that will take you to lush tropical rain forests, black sand beaches, red sand beaches, waterfalls, iconic surf spots and more!

How can you make the best of this trip?

1. Bring some extra cash – there is various food vendors on the side of the road. Try some out and give in to some true authentic hawaiian cuisine.
2. Bring food – “Did you not just say there’s food?” I sure did! Although this road is popular and there is many vendors they still may be hours away.
3. Bring a change of clothes and extra towel. – there is countless spots to swim, get wet and muddy. If you don’t mind staying wet I wore my swim shorts, a shirt and flippy floppies.
4. Fill the tank – there is no fuel stations on this trip. Stop in Paia for some flat bread as you’re filling up.
5. Don’t make other plans – a short drive but countless stops! Many guide books devote whole sections to the Hana Highway. Seize the day and make it count.

Some recommended stops:

• Jaws (if the waves are high, take 10 minutes to gape at the brave-souls surfing). If you claim to have surfed Jaws but actually haven’t you are something the locals like to call a, “land shark”. Don’t be that person.
• Twin Falls (just past mile marker 2, get out, take the trail, and jump into the cold water);
• Painted Bark Eucalyptus trees (no need to get out, just slow the car down and take pictures);
• Honomanu Bay County Beach Park (turn off the road to your left, drive down to a smaller and emptier black sand beach);
• Waianapanapa State Wayside Park (the main, gorgeous black sand beach with sea caves);
• Seven Sacred Pools (park, take the short path to the right, and you get to swim again [now you need that extra towel, you’re welcome] ).

“And who can say where the road goes?
Where the day flows?”.EYNA