CATAMARAN & HELICOPTER (Day 3 - part 3)
We arrived at Mount Wai‘ale‘ale, the island's second highest peak. With a name meaning 'rippling or overflowing water', it is hailed as one of the wettest spots on earth, with an annual average rainfall of 460 inches.
On its east side is a a giant crater... which isn't actually a volcanic crater or even the remains of a crater. Instead it is merely erosion.
Approaching Wai'ale'ale Crater (also called the Blue Hole), at the end of the valley
The "Wall of Tears" or "Weeping Wall"
The crater .... leaving back down the valley
We continued south, enjoying many more waterfalls and sights.
On the right is the movie set for Tropic Thunder, due to be released next year (2008)
The Ko'ula valley leads to ... the large Manawaipuna Falls and the distant Kahili Falls (or 5 Sisters).
Manawaiopuna Falls, a 360-foot tall falls located at the back of Hanapepe Valley, was used in the movie "Jurassic Park".
Endless waterfalls and dense vegetation
We then made the final stretch back to the southern coast.
Sugarcane fields .... and coffee fields
Our landing spot at Port Allen
The evening was spent at the condo... enjoying a dinner of leftovers from the previous night and watching the departure of the sun from the lanai... revealing a night tapestry of planets and shooting stars.
