Snorkeling
The snorkeling in Maui is quite good, even if you are a novice like me. It is also a great way to maximize your water time. But more than anything else, photographing fish is a lot of fun. I bought a waterproof case for the little digital camera for this trip, and it turned out to be a good idea. There are also some video clips, and I guess I need to post them on youtube or something one of these days.
Not to be missed is a trip (or three) to Molokini crater. Fish heaven. On the island, I found that Ahihi Bay is best.
Jamun
I have had much fun with guava on this trip, not to mention the other offerings of Katie's garden (including, yes, mulberry!). However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover very purple trails in the eastern part of the national park, covered with fallen jamun. Like mango trees, jamun is abundant on the easter part of the island. Unlike mango, it is in season, which make for great fun on the trail.
According to a ranger, it is only the Indian visitors who fancy the java plus, as he calls it. According to him they become quite animated upon sighting it and start jumping to reach the fruit. No jumping is required, however, on many sections of the trails.
Another [bizarre] curiosity -- the supermarkets in Hawaii feather virtually no local produce (with the exception of the occasional pineapple), offering the standard Mexico-grown fare at eye-popping prices. And when a tourist family saw me grabbing guava off the tree for quick trailside lunch, they asked, "Wow, eating fruit from the forest, are you not afraid?" Dude! Who fears a guava?! -- even if the noble fruit is not on the menu at Burger King.
Guava
Guava is everywhere in Hawaii, lots of varieties, mostly growing wild as an invasive species. If you like these things as I do, foraging for breakfast is a snap. Just reach out into the bush and grab some.
There is a lot of other wild-growing fruit, including mango (not in season unfortunately), papaya, pineapple, and breadfruit, which I found makes a great substitute of jackfruit (another tropical delight that is not for everybody). Cuts, cooks, and tastes fairly like jackfruit, and you can substitute it in your favorite recipe.
Whale watching
Day four. Tried a little snorkeling, and then a whale watching trip in the afternoon. Sometimes you can see these whales from your dinner table (I got a glimpse couple of days ago) but of course the boats take you right up to the big beasts and hang around for a couple of hours. Fun stuff.
Surfers at Ho'okipa Beach
Third of nine days on Maui. Spent the morning watching the surf and the surfers at Ho'okipa Beach. Some pretty big waves, and enthusiastic surfers of various skill levels. Works well as spectator sport.
Drove up Haleakala in the afternoon to look at the crater and watch the sunset.
