As I pulled into the Volcanoes National Park yesterday on the Big Island, the park ranger indicated that there were high amounts of sulpher dioxide in the air and that I should keep my windows rolled up. Some trails were closed, but the actual crater roads trail was opened. Got to see most of the park with all the lava flows from the past several years. Many times it seemed like I was in another world….the surface of the moon if you will. From a distance I could see the steam coming up from the lava flowing into the sea.
My regret is that I didn’t plan ahead to walk a 3 hour round trip trail down to the bottom of the surface of what a lava lake was. It was 2PM by the time I discovered it and I didn’t feel like I would get back in time. And after walking about a 1/4th of a mile on a road, I’m not sure I could walk a 4 mile moderate hiking trail. My other regret was not seeing the lava flow at night. I hear it really puts on a show.
The Big Island of Hawaii is more rural oriented. Got to pass through some small towns. I’m not sure what these small town residents do for a living. But I find myself asking myself the same question when I pass through rural Kentucky.
The funny thing about Hawaii is that I’m halfway expecting to be harassed by shopkeepers to buy stuff. In China I was constantly given the “hard sell” with a “buy this” mentality. Hawaii is not like this. I haven’t had a bad experience with shopkeepers, never been pressured to buy anything. I keep having to tell myself “This is America,” even though everyone looks Asian, but speak perfect English.
Today (Wednesday) we visited the North Shore of Oahu where all the surfers go for the big waves. Lots of good views of the island. More on that later…