West Maui

Our first day, we sat around sipping fancy drinks with tiny umbrellas and laid out on the beach. Gotcha! Actually, we drove north along the coast: destination the Dragons Teeth. Also, the Kapalua Coastal Trail and viewing humpback whales, since they visit this season.

Makaluapuna Point. We weren’t sure about the significance of this artifact, but it is interesting, and close to the Dragons Teeth.
Dragons Teeth formation in basalt and pumice flow

Stunning! Are these jagged pieces of rock the result of an eruptive fissure or hydrothermal activity along a fracture? The structures in the solidified lava are fascinating to our geological eyes.

Interesting patterns due to weathering of Dragons Teeth

We stomped all over these erosional and original flow structures, discussing possible explanations. Best fun ever!

Clare on the Kapalui Beach Trail

The flora is also magnificent. Many almost familiar plants (invasive?) mix beautifully with exotic (to our eyes) species. Lots of color, especially the shades of green.

One of many beaches that we saw

We haven’t yet walked along the sandy beaches here. Is the white sand native carbonate, imported quartz or something else? We’ll find out. Stay tuned!

Humpback Whale spout

Whales! So far away, elusive, but when seen give us great joy. Brian caught this one spouting, and we also saw a giant tail slap the water, and a mama showing her baby how to be cool, you know blowing water into the air for the tourists.

We also saw sea turtles, which are even more difficult to photograph. They were playing in the waves, in channels between reef rock. A little surprising, since the waves are fairly rough.

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