Day 16: Moving on to Wai Pio

The waves were much better to us last night. They didnt wake me up as much but my neck got twisted up or something because its sooore. We had cheetos and pbj/nutela again mmmm. And then I found a kayak paddle by our shore. Bingo. Uncle Lawrence would be happy. We walked to the facilities and sure enough we ran into him after finding his people and giving them the paddle. He was in fact happy because some rival guy lost a paddle and took one of theirs. This served as a replacement I guess because he was happy. We packed up our stuff after saying goodbye and quickly hitchhiked up to the bus stop. 

The grocery store served us well and I even got to speak with Kirk, Emily, SAVI!, and Mels. Thanks for picking up MOM =p Also might have mailed something to yall too ;) 

Somehow we caught this last random late bus. And I mean JUST caught it. She was taking off and I had to run with full pack and two heavy grocery bags. Sara was amused and impressed too so it was now double worth it. 

On the bus we talked to some really cool local women. The oldest one must have been close to 60 because she mentioned being on the island for 50 years but she was gorgeous and didnt look older than 40. It was crazy. But she has nothing on my beautiful 35 year old mom :D We made the next bus stop at Kmart and we had hunger and guess what they had for 6 bucks fresh hot and ready? Ohh yeeeaaa, little ceasars baby! We chowed down on that bad boy and still have half for later. 

The bus comes and this really cool old dude is driving and doesnt even charge me for my bags and is playing music on the bus too. Exact opposite of Mrs Maggy Other Driver. Hahaha only a few of yall will get that one ;) And Mimi, the older woman, mentioned to us that they were going out tonight and if we knew her 2 days ago she would have driven us around and let us crash her place! Doh. Oh well, cant catch them all.

The bus ride was only about an hour and a half this time which gave me good time to catch up on the blog. Im actually writing for the same day first time! Feels great. But anyway, the bus actually takes us 8 miles past our stop so we get to hitching again. 

Was rough this time as people werent as nice here or we werent as lucky. But a really nice older guy finally stops and lets us in the back of his truck. Its amazing how much you appreciate the invention of the wheel when youre looking back at the road and all the miles you WOULD have hiked if not for the kindness of a stranger. I will most definitely not think twice about hitchhikers from now on. In fact I will give the next one a ride provided he doesnt have a rifle or sword on his person. Or handcuffs and a jump suit. 

We actually find ourself at the same outlook we were at during the island tour. But this time we were walking alllll the way down Wai Pio Valley. Which we just found out has wild horses roaming around. Looks like we get different wildlife out of our tent each morning. Yea thats how I roll, whats up. 

Well we finally get down the brutally steep slopes (which actually turns out to be THE steepest slope in all Hawaii), thighs burning and shaking. And on the way down we met this mother and daughter who was like 7 on their way up. Well we saw multiple cars going up and ask them why they didnt take one and the mom says the daughter turned them all down because she WANTED to walk up. What a brave little kid. Haha but then she said she changed her mind. Silly girls. 

So we're down at the bottom, run into some Canadians who point us in the right direction and we head straight for the beach, sun setting already. Well we get lost and are trapesing through the woods and stuff and head towards this light like that bug in Bugs Life (DONT LOOK AT THE LIGHT!  Zzzt!). Turns out its these peoples back yard and they are grilling out with kids camping in the back yard. We feel like creepos coming in from back yard with only kids outside. But we get these two guys who are there and they show us a spot where we can camp and now here we are. Looking at the most beautifully clear night sky and sound of a nice calm beach right down from us. And a nice steady cool breeze. And we have a fire pit for the first time but probably not going to use it as we dont want attention and have no food to grill :( But man what a journey here and a nice rewarding valley campsite. Oh and its a black sand beach :)

Dun duun! Dun DUUUNNN! dunna DUN da dun da duuuunn! Da da da daaaa, da dadda da, da dadda da!!!

Anyone know that one?? Hint: The valley we are in was filmed in a famous dino movie.