Blogs from Hawaii, United States, North America - page 164

The 14th of May would turn out to be, quite literally the longest day of our lives. Our flight from Sydney to Honolulu would cover some 5081 miles and take 9 hours and 20 minutes. That part is all very simple, but crossing the International Date Line whilst in the air meant that although we would be leaving Sydney in the evening at 7:45pm, we would be arriving at 9:30 in the morning of the same day!! Basically we would board nine hours ahead of British Summer Time and disembark eleven hours behind; that’s a 44 hour day - Garvan, you could have stretched your birthday out even further than normal. We arrived in Honolulu, which has one of those names that (like the Bahamas and Bora Bora) conjures up a vision of paradise, and caught ... read more

I decided to get just a little more time on the beach before leaving. I went to Hanalei Bay before I left. It was a nice bay and had a lovely beach. It was also pretty neat to see where the Hanalei River runs into the ocean. I am not sure but I would say that river comes off one of the mountains because it was very chilly. The bay was very protected because of the off-shore reef. The bay was as flat as a lake. It was going to rain so I went back packed up and headed for the airport. I am now on Oahu after a quick flight. Not really sure what I am going to do hear, definately heading to the world famous Wakiki Beach. ... read more

Kalalau Valley is God's country & Kalalau Beach is the most isolated piece of the Kauai north coast and possibly the most stunning piece of nature we've ever had the privilege of experiencing. After landing in Honolulu we jumped straight on a flight to the island of Kauai, battled jetlag, local buses with luggage limits far below the size of our packs, almost missed closing time at the camping hire place holding our 'house' for the night & then hitchhiked 8 miles (successfully, mind you ... first thumb = first ride), before camping illegally over a horny-toad infested swamp. 4:16am the local rooster population awoke, signifying the beginning of a 22 mile (36km) 2 day hike along the Kalalau Trail that nearly killed us. Far beyond the leptospiridium-infected streams & killer mud, ragged trail parts dropping ... read more

I decided to go find another beach to try snorkelling at today. I had read alot about Tunnels Beach. After I found it, I realized that it was packed with others. I went on up to the end of the road. There are a couple of caves up there. One was dry the other had water in it. I finally found a county park that had some spaces to park. I walked a pretty good ways up to Tunnels. It was impressive. The offshore reef protects the little bay which makes for a protected area to swim. About 50-60 feet offshore the bottom just starts to drop away. It is really something to see. On the way back in I stopped in Hanalei and walked around some. It is a nice little town. It sits right ... read more

I had just planned to take it easy today and find a beach to lay out on. I went to Kilauea lighthouse this afternoon. When I arrived, I was a little upset that I had five dollars to get in the park. It was worth it. The lighthouse is on a cliff sitting several hundred feet above the ocean. I don't even know how many pictures I shot before I even got to the lighthouse. The place was just buzzing with birds. All kinds and sizes. I even got to see the nene the Hawaiian goose. Down from the lighthouse dolphins were swimming around in the ocean. I went north to Anini beach. Laid out for a bit on a pretty nice little beach. I saw a bunch of people snorkelling so I went and got ... read more