Posts filed under 'Travel'
Arnott’s Lodge offered several tours for it’s lodgers. We’re pretty picky when it comes to guided tours because we don’t like doing the cheesy tour thing. But Arnott’s was a cool hostel so we figured the tour would be as well. And it was! Our guide took us to some great spots and knew a lot about the area. She even lived off grid like us so we had a great conversation with her about that.
First up was Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
The plants were so lush and green:
I could have spent days exploring. We have to come back and camp!
Some plants were huge.
Even the dead plants were pretty.
Here’s what it looked like when I looked up:
Here’s a pic of Thebes taking a pic of me:
This is the path leading into a lava tube. I was so excited I could barely stand still for this pic.
Once inside the tube I turned around and took a pic looking out.
Inside a lava tube. I loved it! This picture was taken with my flash so the lighting isn’t accurate.
Thebes took the rest of these lava tube pics. He used his tripod so didn’t need to use flash. These pics reflect what the tube looked like.
I wish I could has spent the night.
It felt like being in the womb of the Goddess.
The next pic is smoke coming out of an active volcano! This is the part where I just want to type everything in caps and put five exclamation points after each sentence. I’ve wanted to go to Hawaii for years to see the volcanos and lava so this day was very exciting.
This is the Halema’uma’u crater on Kīlauea. To be this close to the volcano was unbelievable. I’m getting excited all over again just writing this post. Wheeeee!
Inside the Jaggar Museum there’s lots of cool stuff. Here’s a room where instruments measure the volcano’s activity:
There were lots of lava rock specimens to touch. I had no idea there were so many varieties. See the photo behind me where the lava is eating the stop sign?
I swooned when I saw Pele’s hair. The description says “Pele’s hairs are thin, fragile strands of volcanic glass. They form when molten lava is ejected into the air during an eruption.” If only you could spin it!
It’s not all fun and games. The area is dangerous as this sign indicates:
Another shot of the crater:
This tour was awesome. More pics to come.
August 7th, 2009
For New Year’s Day Thebes and I decided to hang out on the beach. Our hotel was a cheaper rate because it wasn’t on the beach. But it was only a five minute walk away.
Thebes likes this picture. I think I look a little goofy.
Waikiki Beach is very long and very crowded.
There were huge buildings all along the beach.
I decided to take a surfing lesson. I had surfed once before in the Dominican Republic. That’s me on the bottom right.
Here’s me afterward posing with my instructor:
Surfing is such a blast!
May 2nd, 2009
In Hawaii Thebes and I went on a lava tour. We went to the Volcano museum, saw the plume of the current eruption and then watched lava hit the ocean as the sun set.
As I watched the lava I saw Goddess Pele dancing. In college Pele influenced me a lot. I was 23 when I had visions of her. Somehow it was fitting that on the last day I was 32 I saw her again. It was one of the most spiritual experiences of my life.
When we got back I felt re-energized with my artwork. My Fire Moon is inspired by Pele. Here’s my version of her:
I wanted her to exhale fireballs because that’s what happened in my Pele visions. First I created some mini fire batts.
Then I spun it up Navajo style and created lava yarn.
March 15th, 2009
After getting a camera case at the Ala Moana Center, Thebes and I strolled around. We found this lovely pathway by the Ala Wai Canal.
It was such a gorgeous spot, one of my favorites of the trip.
Thebes took this picture. I love Hawaii-gorgeous flowers were just everywhere.
This is what it looked like walking under the trees.
There was a convention center by the path.
March 14th, 2009
While in Waikiki Thebes and I went to Ala Moana Center because we needed a camera case. It’s a huge four story mall. Normally I can’t stand malls but this one was neat.
A lot of it was in open space so you could stroll between stores and see the sky. There were lots of plants and flowers.
Check out this cool fish fountain:
There were several pools with koi fish.
We bought some of these cookies and they were delicious!
Even on the side of the street we saw gorgeous plants.
February 12th, 2009
After staying on Oahu for a few days Thebes and I flew over to the Big Island. Most of our vacation was spent there.
Our first stop was Hilo on the east side of the island. Not as many people visit the Hilo side, as opposed to the Kona side, because it rains alot. It rained every day we were there. But it wasn’t bad. Most of the time the rain was in the morning before we had started our day.
We stayed at Arnott’s Lodge while in Hilo.
It was a nice hostel-clean rooms, good rates, helpful staff.
They had a nice painting on a wall by the parking lot.
While there I had a sighting of the rare Hawaiian moose.
Arnott’s let guests borrow bikes to ride into town. We had a couple days stay before we rented a car so we biked into town on the weekend. Thebes says he looks goofy in this pic but I think he looks cute.
We visited the Hilo Farmers Market.
This tree was across the street. Isn’t it stunning?!
What a fun market. There were so many beautiful flowers and delicious looking fruits and vegetables.
These are Anthuriums and are grown a lot on Hawaii. They come in many varieties.
More pretty flowers.
We bought some fresh fruit. The pineapples and tangerines were so fresh and absolutely delicious.
February 7th, 2009
Thebes and my hotel room in Waikiki was pretty small. But we still had a peak of the ocean.
Even the windows in the hallway were small.
Waikiki is so crowded and many of the buildings are really tall. We were on the 21st floor. Kind of freaky.
A view out of our window at night.
February 1st, 2009
It’s almost time to head home. This trip has been so much fun. We’ve taken a bunch of photos which I’ll post some of soon.
In knitting news I finished the Noro sock and started the second. And I’ve decided not to frog the entire kilt hose. I’m just going to frog back enough so it will fit Thebes’ foot and then slightly alter the pattern. That’s probably not going to happen until we’re back home.
January 14th, 2009
Thebes and I did something spontaneous-we bought tickets to Hawaii! We spent New Year’s Eve on O’ahu in Waikiki.
First up was some sushi and sake.
We were going to watch the fireworks from the beach but found a happening club that was on a second story. They had some torches lit.
Look it’s drunk hippies!
The fireworks were wonderful and the bar’s patio gave us a great view.
A peak at the crowd on the beach watching the fireworks.
Aloha!
January 2nd, 2009
