We had a slow start in the morning, waking up late and having an easy breakfast. I had a vague plan to head east and was unsure of exactly where we were going, so part-way there tried to find a park by the beach to orientate, and have a toilet break. The park I found failed on the second count, although there wasn't a bad view.
We were nearly there when we came to a lookout and a very interesting 'mountain'.
The mountain was actually Koko Head Crater and had a trail almost straight up.
The view West
Just past the lookout was where I had planned to go, Hanaurama Bay Nature Reserve and Park, but as we tried to turn in we found it was closed. There was nothing for it but to continue along the road to Halong Blow Hole where I saw whales breaching out in the water.
Some people treat signs as 'not really meant for them'!
I can't say that 'I' saw the blowhole, as I really don't think I did, but it certainly was an interesting place. The 'mountain' that we had seen from the previous lookout turned out to be Koko Head Crater, and with the information saying the crater had a Botanical Gardens inside, it looked like a great place for lunch.
Picnic tables were to the right under this shady fig tree
Some of the Palms inside the crater
Although interesting, it was actually a bit disappointing, as I guess I was expecting Tropical rather than dryland ecosystems
There were a lot of frangipani in the gardens and there were more Cardinals and a couple of ferrets.
Stunningly clear blue waters of Waimanalo Beach
Nice spot but pretty windy!
Makapuu Point and Lighthouse was where Darryl & I saw a whale, but unfortunately Marc missed it. We had stopped to look at a sign about them and then there it was! Perfect timing!
Koko Head Crater from the other side
The large number of 'homeless' with their makeshift shelters really surprised us
A Paraglider's paradise
Darryl got some really good video and shots of a blowhole
Highway 61 was pretty busy, and there were some really threatening clouds, but once we passed through the tunnels it was blue sky and rainforest.
The detour off the highway went to Ginger Pools.
Not sure if this was Ginger Pools. A dead pig was on the spillway.
Judd Trail was a nice walk along stream, but it was pretty muddy so we didn't go far.
Traps for Rhinoceros beetles were plentiful
We found the entry to Lulumahu Falls which started with a lovely walk through a bamboo forest, but fairly quickly deteriorated into a steep very slippery and muddy track. We were belting along as it was fairly late and we were determined not to be on this dangerous path in the dark.
I stopped just before but Darryl & Marc went to the falls while I entertained myself taking photos.
Lulumahu Falls
The sun went down as we were at the falls so we raced back and made it to the car before it was completely dark.
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