Around the World: Around Hawaii

During my past year in Kona I have been very blessed to build awesome freindships with many people on the YWAM campus. Two weekends ago me and two of my close friends decided to do something together as my time in Kona, Hawaii is coming to a close...until next summer. Two of those people are Kat Meyer (Germany) and Simon Aberg (Sweden).

On Saturday morning the three of us headed north of the island. We went through a beautiful town in the hills called Waimea and then to an area that quite resembles Scotland. Here we found several caves that you could explore. Apart from tripping on rocks, random finds of full water bottles and a slight fear of there being someone else in the cave with you, it was fun.

Our next stop took us outside a city called Hilo. We took the scenic routes through beautiful jungle and along the coast. We then made our way to an incredible waterfall called Akaka Waterfall (Look for the picture). After lunch we drove into Hilo to check out Rainbow falls and boiling pots. This was the highlight of my day as we jumped from cliffs and swam under the waterfall.

After heading back to Kona and waking early the next morning our adventure started on Sattle Road around Mouna Kea. Mouna Kea is actually one of the best star gazing stations in the world and tallest mountain in the world from the ocean floor. If you can believe it, there is evening skiing available during winter.

After swinging past Hilo we came into an area of Hawaii called Puna. This is by far the most beautiful part of the island. Mostly locals and hippies, amazing rainforest and some great natural beauty. We stopped at a hot pool made by the Hawaiian's many years ago and also a black sands beach. It was incredible, soft sand, huge waves and no one but the three of us!

After our sandwhich supper we made our way to some hot steam rooms. We had no idea that we were going to have to walk through jungle paths that split several times by flashlight, but we took the challenge. After walking for about ten minutes in the dark we came across a hill. Walking up it we ran into warm air and seconds later found a ladder going down into a small hole into a cave. Climbing down and entering we found a small room in the hill with two benches and enough room to fit four people. To our anticipation we discovered hot steam coming from another hole further into the cave, so taking the opportunity we sat there for over half an hour. We decided it was time to go after all our clothes were wet and when we were about to pass out from dehydration.

Travelling for about two hours back to Kona, our adventures ended and our beds gladly greeted us...we were beat!!

Here are some pictures of our adventure. We had decided that we would do this because it was something we would never forget...and we won't!!