ASCEND & WANDER

  These photos are from December 2025 and over 2 years since the maui wildfires of 2023 happened in Lahaina. The neighbourhood was blocked off for a while for reconstruction efforts and safety but you can now walk and drive the roads. The private and some public property are still closed off.  This was labelled as one of the heritage buildings Birds using mailboxes as a nest Federal response unit Right beside the ocean. The historic district and harbour were especially damaged.  Rebuilding efforts are ongoing and focused on people's homes first Sign junction at the main highway Looking at the destruction from a high point. The dark clump of trees is actually the exact site of the fire. I confirmed it with a compass after adjusting for declination. Surprisingly, that clump of trees remained green but everything else around it was destroyed. 

  I had a full day to explore Maui before my Wilderness permit was active on the crater. I tried to explore the lesser known sports away from Kaanapali and Wailea.  Waihe'e Beach - a locals spot Snorkeling in a dry suit? Past Little Beach which to my surprise was an illegal but tolerated nude beach Makena Beach  Makena Road at Lolo Cove. A great spot to pull over and watch the sunset on the south shore  Volcanic rocks Ahihi-Kinau Natural Reserve Hoapili Trail to the King's Trail This seems to go quite a long way on Gaia but as a very direct route?   Wish I had more time to follow the King's Trail further but this was my time of day  Kanaha Beach Park Just north of the airport. And you will see big waves hitting the north shore during the winter. Apparently the south shore get hits in the summer time and is best for surfing then. This guy was claiming that his Foil Board is the up and coming new sport. Very nice guy to chat with.  Paia Town Another nort...

  I had driven up Haleakalā National Park in 2013 and just remember the long drive uphill (while some people were biking down) and also it being very stormy. But I also heard that is a common stop for overnight camping. I planned to return at some point and finally got around with a time window and wilderness permit on Dec 15-17. I hitchhiked to  Sliding Sands Trailhead  and left my car at  Halemau’u Trailhead. I didn't even have to stick my thumb out on the road. A young couple from O'ahu saw me with the large packpack and offered to drive me up.  Most people hike downhill but the opposite direction would be much better overall.  View of the trail going deeper into the crater Near the rim Many day trippers will turn around here Cool geology Kapalaoa Cabin Palikū Campground Evening glow  These are apaprently endangered and far too comfortable around people. They have tags on their feet and will actually bluff charge you with a wingspan. I had met some ...

Pulau Ubin is a small island northeast of Singapore which used to be a fishing village back in the day and is a cool day trip to escape the busy metropolitan So many random signs in Singapore Changi Point Actually really close to the airport, but probably hard to get there from SIN, like many metropolitan areas around... Random mix of expats and other locals on the way there. There is no booking, you just show up at the port, pay the captain 4 S$ and it leaves at their discretion. A great day trip from the busy city. Submarine through Johor Strait Our captain Arriving at Palau Ubin There is a little village to the left of the village and many bike rentals near there which you can bargain for Fly fishing is common here too Varanus Salvator Pretty cool to see this Asian Water Monitor Chek Jawa Visitor Centre This is Malaysia Another one of these massive lizards Chek Jawa Wetlands Little India District Prayer Time Inside Hindi Temple