Just another day in paradise

Yesterday (Mon 1 Sept) Jason and I started the day with a morning snorkel at Napali Bay a short walk from our place. After a quick shower, we jumped in the car and headed to Ioa Valley State Park, admission free. Ioa Valley is located in the rain forest mountains, near Wailuku. It is Maui's highest and wettest point. According to the guidebook, Ioa is named for Maui's beautiful daughter. The Iao Needle, a rock pinnacle that rises over 2000 feet, is said to be Ioa's secret lover captured by Maui and turned into stone. It was an impressive sight. In the stream and swimming holes below many locales were swimming. Jason and I avoided taking a dip due to the possible threat of leptospirosis. After snapping our photos we continued on to Waliea in South Maui to check out the ritzy resort scene. We both agreed our condo/hotel digs were far more accommodating. We made a quick stop at Lappert's Hawaii, a local ice cream chain where we spilt a refreshing cup of luau delight and mango sorbert, then returned to Napali in time to end the day with a dip in the pool, while watching the sunset over the ocean.