Down around the southern bend

Today was designated for the day to meet the Big Island's volcanos in person. More than anything I was hoping to get to see some real lava flowing or glowing somewhere on the grounds of the National Park, especially since a new vent had opened up a few short months ago on Mount Kilauea. However, you'll have to continue reading to see if my wish was granted.

We started out fairly early as we knew it would be a long day with much of it spent driving. Before we left we had another breakfast bowl from Basik. Man, I'm going to miss their delicious healthiness. So, after that and Mom going to the local ABC store (so much more than liquor around here) for some snacks for the road, we were off south down highway 11.

The drive down the west coast of the Big Island took us the better part of the morning. There were few stops with the exception of my pulling over at a few scenic vistas for some photo opportunities. It amazes me how much of the landscape is sculpted lava flows that reach all the way from Mauna Loa down to the shore. There are huge swaths of land that must have simply been obliterated by Pele's wrath. Now life has begun anew on top of the hardened flows with grasses, shrubs and several types of scrawny trees that somehow find purchase in those jagged rocks.

But back to the drive.. We passed very few towns along the way. This must make for some remote living for the folks that inhabit these parts. However, much of the scenery was beautiful, especially when we started passing the southern end of the island. Again, there were more grass filled slopes but this time paired with gorgeous views of the black coastline.

Speaking of black coastlines, we took the time out of our drive to go visit the black sands of Punalu'u Beach. Obviously, the black colour of the sand comes from the lava flows that so dominate this island but it's still a pretty unique beach. It really is the colour of charcoal and the grains are pretty large and rough but not unpleasant to walk upon. However, due to the colour the heat coming from the sand was a little unbearable for my Northern acclimated skin. What made the trip to this beach the most spectacular was stumbling upon five green sea turtles resting upon the sunbaked sands. It looks like this is a regular hang out for these weary fellows and they didn't seem to mind all the attention from the tourists. However, you must keep a respectable distance. Aside from disturbing them, I heard they are prone to chomping soft human skin that gets too close.

After the Black Sand beach, the drive to the Volcanoes National Park was relatively short and straightforward.


... I will continue tomorrow ...