Our perches for the next week in a VRBO cottage on a fruit farm on the wet (east) side of Hawaii Big Island. We can help ourselves to fruit, including a lone avocado on the tree to the left, taunting us, out of reach.
Tag: Hawaii, New Zealand 2020
Mountain to Ocean
On a Hilo walk, Mauna Kea peeked through the clouds. At 33,500 feet, it’s the highest mountain on Earth, measured from the seabed. It’s 13,500 feet above sea level, home to 13 international observatories funded by 11 nations. There’s snow at the summit and it’s 83°F in Hilo.
View from a Barstool
View from a barstool, Hilo, Hawaii Big Island.
Post-Shower Selfie
Post-shower selfie airside at Auckland AKL. I didn’t take my backpack in the shower, but maybe I should’ve. Today we hiked a coastal path on Waiheke Island. Warm weather, steep gradients, and three layers of sunscreen made the shower a treat. Tonight we fly overnight to Honolulu.
Rangitoto Island
A 20-minute ferry ride brought us to uninhabited, volcanic Rangitoto Island. As we walked for miles on trails through this nature reserve, downtown Auckland seemed far away.
Auckland
Flew to Auckland and checked into a downtown hotel for two nights. Already, we miss the quiet places we’ve been staying. Installed the public transit app to figure out how to get out of town by bus and ferry for two day hikes.
Reducing Pathogen Transmission on Long Trips
Posted Reducing Pathogen Transmission on Long Trips.
Reducing Pathogen Transmission on Long Trips
A few years ago we arrived in Cairns, Australia, off a flight from Guam. Our backpacks alerted a friendly customs official we might be carrying hiking boots. We proudly showed our squeaky-clean boots (thanks, Dwight), but in the process she spotted our trail mix, which contained dried banana pieces. Dried bananas carry a pathogen that… Continue reading Reducing Pathogen Transmission on Long Trips
Ferries and Boots
Hiked, took a ferry, hiked, took another ferry. Ended up back where we started.
Urupukapuka Island
We’re staying next to the Bay of Islands in New Zealand’s Northland. Today we took a ferry to the largest island, Urupukapuka Island, then hiked. Some of the trails were hard going, but we were often rewarded by gorgeous 360 degree views.