28/9 Volcanic crater

Friday 28^th Into the volcano

We started the day with a paper cup full of dry cereal. Bread biscuits and cereal are all very expensive here. Fruit was cheaper in Europe as well. Anyway, back to the adventure . . we met the 8 or so other hikers downstairs (all 20 somethings) and headed off past the zoo. We followed the road inland, gradually climbing and then curling round the back of Diamond Head. We were spared the worst of the rim by passing through a tunnel into the basin of the volcano.

It was quite flat in there and the base was covered in soil and plants. This is an unusual type of crater which is constructed of ash rather than lava. This is an offshoot of the main group of volcanos and only emitted hot air and ash. Nonetheless, it looks the part.

We walked across to the far side near the sea, where the rim was much taller. We then set about climbing to the very top via a series of winding slopes, tunnels and stairs. The weather was cool with frequent fine misting rain which stopped us from overheating. At the very top there were a series of WWI gun emplacements and observation bunkers commanding panoramic views of the East and West coasts. Not that strenuous but good exercise and a lovely view.

Looking to East shore

Bunkers on top of the rim

The floor of the crater 

View over Waikik, Honolulu to Pearl Harbour

Sound shell, zoo in trees then where we live.

 

The hostel threw on a free hotdog lunch when we got back and we did some laundry in their machine and caught up with the blog and emails. I settled down with ABC radio and enjoyed the live broadcast of the football final. I had a small bet on Sydney to make it more interesting and they obliged by winning against the odds. It was a fine game where the lead changed often and it was in doubt until the final minute.

Isn't he cute. He's from Brazil.

We strolled over the road to watch the fireworks across the bay. Equally interesting was the stream of planes that arrived in pairs (presumably at different airfields) and took off, immediately banking sharply to the right to wheel away before they got to the built up areas. For dinner we shared a big bowl of noodles and cleared up the leftover coleslaw from yesterday. Not a scrap of smoked salmon, steak or lobster in sight! We are going to miss all that fine boat food – it was really unfortunate that we had to eat it all at once instead of being able to spread it out once a week over a few years.