We decided to forgo a before-breakfast swim this morning. Instead we headed up the road 20 minutes, parked and explored for the first time what they call The Kealai Coastal Boardwalk. It is between the road and ocean on the way to Lahaina.
For years this marsh was a four-wheel driver's playground in the dry season, and a gooey wasteland and eyesore in the wet season, [now]. They first posted signs to try and keep the drivers out, then fenced it and eventually turned it into a bird sanctuary and preserve. At great cost I might add. It has a very tranquil feeling and rather strange with so few people there to enjoy it.
The views are outstanding and it seems that it attracts a different type of person: birders, strollers that arrived just to do that, stroll amongst mother nature without disturbing anything at all. The water is very shallow, mere inches and is teeming with gad-zillions of tiny fish ranging to minuscule up to sardine size. There was various species of small birds walking the pools looking for snacks. The morning was not like chasing Lemur in Madagascar, or hiking Kilimanjaro, but it fills the bill very nicely for us on this quickie rest-and-regroup vacation.
My much younger wife suggested we wear our bathers as she figured there would be good spots to cool off. She was right, of course! The water seemed to be a degree or two cooler [?] and fit the bill perfectly without the crowds at that time of the day, about 10:00 am. Maybe it was just the heat that was burning through our shirts from the back. No complaints though!
The rest of the day we spent resting, scrabble, sudoko, reading and thanking the Lord that I can relax and laze without guilt! [For a few days at least.]
In the background you can see three stacks. That is where electricity is generated from oil on the island. On the hills to the left you may be able to see some of the 32 windmills that generate about 15% of the electricity here.
Tranquility in a busy little island.
An almost good picture of a stilt of some sort. The sun made it difficult to centre the mirror image of this critter.
Quietly waiting for dinner!
Remnants of a tank trap. No doubt built in 1941/42, after Pearl Harbour. Apparently army duty here was not very attractive: hot, in the bush, poor accommodation, isolated, no recreation or leave, and very spooky as they were expecting an invasion. Good swimming though.
That is a squatter's tent there. Beautiful spot. He even has a clothes line out. I wonder what the story on him/her/them is? It looks like he has been there for some time.
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