Kalalau Valley

Our third day in the trail was our day to stay and enjoy Kalalau Beach. We were still awake on Hawaii time, around 6:30, and enjoyed the morning twilight prior to the sun coming across the top of the cliffs.

We had a nice leisurely breakfast and stayed around the camp and ocean in the morning. The waves were down in size from Wednesday which made time in the ocean a little more appealing.

Our morning chore was doing laundry, so off to the waterfall we went. Even though it took much longer, it was far more enjoyable doing laundry in a waterfall, with a view of the ocean, than it is to do back home. 

We were only away for a short while but the stray/feral cat(s) that live here managed to get into our bags and tear open our garbage. It wasnt good, but thankfully our time away was short and it was a relatively easy clean up. It definitely helped us to prepare camp prior to our longer excursions.

After a quick lunch we decided to do the 2 mile Kalalau Valley hike which was so nice and freeing not to be burdened with heavy packs. Kalalau is a sacred valley to the Hawaiian people and there were some strong feelings and presence at certain places along the way. We saw giant mango trees and many terraces where the Hawaiians grew taro.

There were also the very intertwined hau trees further up the trail, essentially making a tunnel.

At the end of the trail was a tiny pool in the stream that was a great swimming hole. We weren't planning on swimming when we set off and didn't know about it being there but it was so hot and humid that we decided to strip down and go swimming anyways. We were the only ones there... That is until one of the locals came down the trail from upstream and right past us. Probably not the first people skinny dipping in the pool that he's seen.

The 3km back down was much more enjoyable after our refreshing swim. We got back to the campsite and changed into proper swimming attire and played in the waves in the ocean and they were much smaller than on Wednesday.

I still can't get over the beauty if this amazing place.

After showering off in the waterfall, we had A mashed potato and curry-rice dinner and saw another great sunset. Still interrupted by a cloud out toward the horizon, but great nonetheless. we finished off with an apple crisp for dessert before watching the waves as the stars came out and heading into our hot tent to try and fall asleep.