Hawaii - Part 3.1
On our third day in Hawaii, we began our day by going out to Diamond Head. Still sore and tired from scuba diving the day before, we hesitantly drove out to hike up the over 200 steps to find the cool view of Waikiki.
We started from inside the crater of Diamond Head. The interior was hot and arid. Cacti grew along the trail going up.
The path itself was intimidating. It was an old road used by the army to get to the bunkers above, where we were heading. Now it was a tourist trail.
We were treated with several good views on the way up. It was very hot and there was little shade, but the cool ocean air would still blow strongly out on the overlooks.
We took a few pictures here, rested up, and headed onward. The trail got steeper and steeper. Eventually it took us to a flight of stairs. Jenn's mom, who came along, counted about 60 of them before we entered a tunnel. I had to laugh almost maniacally as the other end of the tunnel opened up to a steep narrow staircase that must have been well over 100 steps.
After crawling up the stairs and through the abandoned bunker up top, the view of the reefs below was spectacular. The cold ocean air was once again blowing on us, which was a treat after the hot and humid military base interior we had to crawl through getting here.
At the peak of Diamond Head, we got the view (and the cold air) that we had come for. It was breathtaking. As most views are, you can't take a good picture of it because it encloses the image within the boundaries of the picture. You must see it for yourself, and with the test that came before it, the view was that much more incredible and satisfying.
Jenn and I hurried back down for water for the whole group. After this, we headed out with Don and Brenda for some snorkeling at the most amazing reef I've ever seen. But that is another story.
We started from inside the crater of Diamond Head. The interior was hot and arid. Cacti grew along the trail going up.
The path itself was intimidating. It was an old road used by the army to get to the bunkers above, where we were heading. Now it was a tourist trail.
We were treated with several good views on the way up. It was very hot and there was little shade, but the cool ocean air would still blow strongly out on the overlooks.
We took a few pictures here, rested up, and headed onward. The trail got steeper and steeper. Eventually it took us to a flight of stairs. Jenn's mom, who came along, counted about 60 of them before we entered a tunnel. I had to laugh almost maniacally as the other end of the tunnel opened up to a steep narrow staircase that must have been well over 100 steps.
After crawling up the stairs and through the abandoned bunker up top, the view of the reefs below was spectacular. The cold ocean air was once again blowing on us, which was a treat after the hot and humid military base interior we had to crawl through getting here.
At the peak of Diamond Head, we got the view (and the cold air) that we had come for. It was breathtaking. As most views are, you can't take a good picture of it because it encloses the image within the boundaries of the picture. You must see it for yourself, and with the test that came before it, the view was that much more incredible and satisfying.
Jenn and I hurried back down for water for the whole group. After this, we headed out with Don and Brenda for some snorkeling at the most amazing reef I've ever seen. But that is another story.