Disclaimer:  My review and presentation below is not a substitution for the real thing.

View from the longest zipline in Maui

We tried the Zip Line.  Actually I’m a big fan of zip lines, sky jumping… or any kind of activity that combines a little adrenaline with bird eye views of the place you are visiting.  And that’s what you get at Kapalua adventures – one of the best views of the Maui coastline and Moloakai.   There are other secret views of other places only accessible from their grounds that the guides will show you…..but I don’t want to spoil the surprise so I won’t go into much detail here.

The guides are fantastic.  They have a true love of the island and stories to share.    My recommendation – yes… go zip lining… you won’t be disappointed.

And that’s why you have to seek out the roads less traveled.  Take the road AFTER Hana Highway for instance.  None of the guide books talk much about it.  In fact…if it’s mentioned at all it’s in the same breath as “unsafe and unpaved and NOT recommended”.   At the car rental counter you’ll become familiar with this road because the maps will clearly state the road after Hana as “NOT allowed” and you’ll even have to sign that you agree that driving this road is NOT permitted and any accidents will be your own responsibility.

Well.  Well well.   Our curiosity was certainly piqued.   It built up over the days.  We speculated between ourselves.  And even dramatized what the worst possible scenario could be.  Since the three of us in the car had a natural attraction to doing the exact opposite of what we were told, we threw all caution to the wind and democratically voted to explore the forbidden road.   (I do have to mention a friend new to me, old to my fellow road trippers, did recommend this route… just the extra assurance we needed).

We started this mission at the Seven Sacred Pools on a quiet two lane road through a quiet residential area.  Smooth pavement, sweeping corners that alternated between views of the coast and views of the lush rain forest jungle.  After about thirty minutes the houses thinned out.  The spaces between got bigger.  And we encountered the sections of the famous unpaved roads.  And walls of falling rock.  Narrow and blind turns that would be near fatal had the road been busy.  We quickly understood why this road was forbidden.  But we trekked on with bravado.    They never were dangerous looking enough for us to turn back.  It was either that or our stubbornness that pushed us through.

We discovered farms and ranches and an old forgotten church guarded by a old and content  cow.  We happily snapped away pictures and continued the drive.  And then it started to dry out.  At first it was subtle and then all of a sudden we looked around and thought we had landed on the back side of Mars or some other alien planet.

On our left was the vast ocean.  Wet and wild.  And on our right was barren terrain that looked like it had not seen a drop of water in eons.  The colors were no longer emerald and green.  It was brown … and  gray… and … devoid of any pigmentation.    I remember at that time feeling confused.  Just moments ago we were stomping through the lush topography of one of the wettest parts on earth.  And now we were in what was virtually an island desert.  Life did exist though on this unknown side of this planet.  Here…. Billy goats ruled.  I guess they can pretty much survive on dirt if they had to.  And we even encountered a herd of cows.

Because the road was deserted.  The road condition was spectacular.  It changed elevation dipping up and down like a roller coaster.  Acquiring a lead foot was easy on this open road.  Our car decided to go faster.  Our hands and feet were hanging out the windows, music and wind dancing with our spirits.  We felt free.

Funny it did rain for a few moments.  And yet it was so dry that it seemed all it did was wash in more gray … as if that were even possible.

Our last thirty minutes of this drive were spent in quiet “what surprise could we encounter next” anxiety.  Plus we were hungry and gone through our bags of road trip car chips.  We were dangerously close to running out of gas and probably running on fumes.   We lucked out and found one just in time.  We laughed, stretched our legs and got back in the car for the final moments home.  It was a long drive and a good one.

I look back in fondness….I cherish that drive.   It had all the elements of making it unforgettable.  Adventure, surprise, friendship, laughter and discovery.    It had the feeling of having gone where no man .. or woman.. had gone before… it had the feeling of having unearthed some great treasure and conquering the unknown…. And having survived to tell the tale.  And I will predict, though the road after Hana will never be on the top “published” list …  it’s definitely going to be on mine.

The best of it all… the highlight of my trip was Kalalau Trail hiking in Kauai.  Getting there was easy.  Take the highway as far north and then west as you can go.  It ends at Ke’e Beach.

Before you go: 1)  Wear hiking or tennis shoes.  No exceptions.  2) Bring as much water as you can comfortably carry  3) Bring a power bar.  4) Throw in a towel in the back pack and wear your swim suit under whatever you’re wearing.

Kalalau Trail Peekaboo Ocean and Secret Beach Views

After viewing the sign at the trail head, we decided to do the 2 mile hike.  We headed out about 11am which was perfect as it had been raining quite hard during our breakfast in Hanalei.

The trail takes you along the lush coast offering peekaboo views of the various beaches below.  As we walked through the lush rainforest trail we felt the cool breeze envelope and caress us. The hike took about 90 minutes as we took our time, chatting and admiring the view.   We crossed streams, and went through various micro climates of misty showers and sunshine.

Kalalau Trail - the Beach at 2 miles

At two miles we crossed a small stream and were awarded with a tropical oasis and beach.

Here we relaxed and played.

Beach at 2 miles at Kalalau Trail

Reluctantly after a while, we decided to head back.  It took us another 90 minutes.  And satisfying in a different way.  This time we were the ones with goofy satisfied grins taking our time.  While we were greeted with eager excited hikers heading to where we had just come from.

I will say everyone in Hawaii is on some sort of goofy gas giving goofy permagrins.  We all said Aloha as we passed.  Softly smiling at each other.

Kalalau Trail Tropical Rain Forest Views

About three quarters of the way through we ran into three Hawaiian men carrying harpoons and big loads on their back.   It was during a small incline (for them) that we paused to chat.  They welcomed the break to acquaint and catch their breath.

We found out, they were headed to the beach to do some harpoon fishing.  To which I replied  “Looks like fun!”

The crusty man replied as he bent over trying to catch his breath “Does it look like I’m having fun?”

His friend laughed and egged him to push forward.

But Crusty wasn’t done.  He retorted “It’s easier to go to the store and buy the damn fish”.

We stood aside as they passed.  We met more hikers along the way that afternoon.  We even helped out a man was winded on the side of the trail.  As we passed we asked if they were ok to which he said – yes… my son’s just gone to get me some Gatorade.  To which we replied – oh – we have some.  And so we  gave him our Gatorade.

We continued our hike and admired the views from this new direction.  When we were almost at the beginning of the trail, we could seek Ke’e Beach.  We picked up our pace knowing that a cool dip would be at the end of the hike.

The water was cool to our hot skin.  But really it was as warm as bath water.  The clarity was amazing like swimming in an aquarium.

This hike was definitely a highlight.  I would go back to Kauai and that next time, we would bring some friends to join us in the 11 mile hike.  Camping required =)

Make sure you bring your snorkeling gear

Piazza Campo de’ Fiori is where we found ourselves several times.  The food just kept bringing us back.  And I don’t mean the sit down at a fancy restaurant type of food either.  I’m talking food you hold in your hand.  No need for utensils.  Food where you are delicately peeling of the wrapper its encased in… carefully balancing it between bites so as not to drop any yummy bits and pieces on the ground.  Food that doesn’t cost a lot but tastes like a million bucks. And food – that you can only get in that one place and never ever get anywhere else.  The thrill of the chase.  The zing of the flavors.

Which brings me to the point of my story…. Aristocampo.  A little sandwich shop on one of the corners in the piazza.  Small.  Unassuming.  But a whole lot of flavor.  When you enter you will see all of the best and freshest ingredients on display for you to choose from.   I was a fan of their various types of mushrooms.  I love fungi.  Also try the porchetta, the whole roasted pig flavored with rosemary and garlic that you will see laid out on the counter.  Was consistently succulent and delicious.  I promise you that your eyes will roll into the back of your head when you experience the porchetta… (say it with me…porrrr-cheh-tah… I love ya).

After you make your choices – they pile it between thick slices of fresh bread and press it into the best panini you will ever have in your life.   I would go to Rome again – just for these sandwiches.  Yes.  I truly would.

1:  Heathrow Airport Goes Social.  I was entertained with how modern Heathrow is.  They have computer stations….areas where you could hop online scattered all throughout.  Check out the signage above these workstations – and how social it is.  They promote that you can go online for video, game, sound, email, Twitter and Facebook.

2:  Air Berlin.    They had me at the boarding pass.  A very attractive flight attendant pictured on the pass.  What a pleasant way to set you up.  And it doesn’t stop there.  Once on board…. you are greeted with even more attractive flight attendants.  Male and female.   We were on an early plane.   As I drank my coffee I perked up… oh… what is that I smell.  FRESH HOT BREAD.  Yes.  I do not jest.  And… because they’re so awesome – when you deplane they give you a chocolate… wrapped in red foil.  Shaped like a heart.  I Heart Air Berlin.

3.  Trains in Berlin.  I consider us to be experts in public transportation in Europe.  We can find our way no matter where we are, and no matter what combination of planes, trains, busses, taxis and mopeds.  The funny thing though is that we didn’t account for the “Language Issue”.  So here we are – on the train, and we have to remember our train stop.  Look at the words – they are a bunch of constanants and a smattering of vowels.   I’d get asked – what’s our train stop?  And I’d say….. Really Long Word.  Starts with H.  29 letters.  End in and sounds like “off”.  hahaha.  We missed I think only one… or maybe we didn’t.  It sure added to the adrenalin of looking at train stops and trying to match what was on our map with the train station sign.

Oh what fun.

Every time I go to Pacific Beach we find ourselves walking onto the pier.

Pacific Beach is iconic for Southern California’s beach life.  Palm Trees.  Surf Shops.  Frozen Yogurt Cafes.  Sports Bars.  Boutiques.  And everyone’s working on their tan.

It’s popular with the collegiate crowd.  And that means young adults happy as can be to be in the sun having fun.  I don’t like PB during the night time.  I do like it during the day.

After a morning brunch at World Famous (amazing breakfast food on the strand) we found ourselves walking to the pier (surprise) and I caught this beetle about to jump into the water.

He wanted to surf.  I guess.

5 – It was close to our hotel.
4 – There was a lot of sights to see.
3 – They had the best vendor food right in the middle of the square.  Bacon and potatos, sausages, potato pancakes..and ham sandwiches.
2 – There was always a gelato stand somewhere nearby.
1 – Beer was only 35 Czech crown vs. 45 Czech crown for a soda or a water.

The Kinksky Palace behind me - and next to it Church of Our Lady Before Tyn

Every Hour the Astronomical Clock puts on a show

A collective of artists have taken over this former department store that was built in 1907.   It was going to be demolished in 1990 – when a group of artists had it declared as a historic building – and then took it over.  Today it is a art center and a night club.  Part BM, part Space Island, part festival.

Entrance to Kunsthaus Tacheles

Glass and metal artist

One of the many galleries

There are 5 floors. The stairways smell like urine and are covered in graffiti

Every part of the stairs has some sort of urban art on it.

View from the 5th floor

Hansel and Gretel?

Inside Kunsthaus Tacheles

I threw a coin – my bracelet wanted to go with – and came off in the toss.  Oh sigh.  I’ll have to come back another trip and look for it.