blowhole – Steffi & Gerry: Trip around the World

Green Turtles at Black Sand Beach

On our way to Kona we stopped at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach to see, well, a black sand beach. Not surprisingly, the black sand has volcanic origins and one can still see the typical ripples on the bigger lava rocks.

It was also nice to observe several green sea turtles, in the water and ashore.

Next, we headed to Ka Lae (aka South Point), the southernmost point of the United States. (Key West is just the southernmost point of continental US). Teenagers demonstrate their courage by jumping either from the cliffs into the sea or into a blowhole and swimming through an underwater cave.

Further plans had to be postponed due to the rain on the “almost guaranteed sunshine”-west coast of Big Island.

Grand Canyon of the Pacific

Time to explore the Garden Island. First stop was at the Spouting Horn, a blow-hole which erupts sea water like a geyser.

Then we drove into the Waimea Canyon, also known as “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, and there is really something about it.

Sadly, we had to skip our hiking plans, as it started to rain and the trail was very muddy. We drove deeper into the canyon, but the weather got worse – no wonder, as we got close to one of the wettest places on earth: Mt Waialeale, which means “overflowing water”.

But, where’s rain, there’s also a chance for rainbows. And indeed, on our way back we got a few good rainbow-in-the-canyon pictures.

Around Oahu

Time to use the cabrio and to explore the island Oahu.

Chevrolet Camaro – a surprise for us, too!

There is more on Oahu than Honolulu. At least nature-wise. The Halona blowhole spits water like a geyser, but it’s sea water pushed through the hole by strong waves.

From there we did the circle around the Ko’alau range along the coast. Unfortunately, the weather got worse and we couldn’t spot any turtles, neither at Turtle Bay nor at Laniakea Beach. Before returning to Waikiki we drove up and into the Punchbowl Crater which contains the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific – and also offers a nice vista over the city.

Pancake Rocks

It was a rather long drive till today’s destination, but not at all boring. Rainforest almost reaching the sea, wild coasts and narrow streets, luckily by good weather.

The Pancake Rocks in Punakaiki are a must-see attraction. Layers of limestone, a massive blowhole and a great view on the wild coast. Oh, and our campground just a few hundred meters away.