Uncategorized – Kate and Mike

Kaumana Caves in Hilo, Hawaii

Kate and I went on a little adventure in the Lava Tubes in Kaumana Caves park, just outside of Hilo. This is the first time I have ever really adventured into a cave with out a guide.

This was a guard chicken, guarding the caves. He was a bit cocky. I am pretty sure he was Irish. His name was McNuggets. To be honest he had good tastes … like Teriyaki.

A rather large entrance from one section to another.

We spent a couple of hours exploring the cave. There was stair case that descended down into the cave where it had previously collapsed. We explored both sides of the cave. The cave system was mostly easy going. There were many different types of formations. It was constantly dripping on us. Sometime the ceiling was 40 feet tall and times it was only a couple feet tall. I am guessing we went about a mile total. To the right, the cave looks to have been intentionally collapsed. We probably could have shimmied around and gotten past it, but this was our first time out spelunking and did not want to get in over our heads. To the left the cave comes to a skylight where you can climb out. We could have kept going, but again we had had enough for one day and decided to head back into town and get some lunch at the Hilo Burger Joint. We are considering doing some more spelunking in lava tubes. These lava tubes last had lava in them in the 1800s, which makes them relatively new. Some of the lava tubes on the islands are miles and miles long.

A narrow cave passage. You go first, I am too scared. Make sure there is nothing dangerous on the other side.

Kate posing in a large room. A lot of this cave was marked with graffiti.

Another part of the cave. An example of the type of what is left behind when the lava tube is eventually drained of lava.

Snow in Hawaii

Yes we have had snow in Hawaii. The island of Hawaii, often referred to as the Big Island has two mountain (volcanoes) that are nearly 14,000 feet tall and it is cold enough most of the year to get snow.

Snow covered Mauna Kea as seen from Honomu, HI, near Akaka Falls

There was quite a bad storm, that dump a lot of rain where we were, about 8 inches in 36 hours. Some places near us got 20+ inches of rain. What that translated was 20-30 inches of snow on the top of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.

Mauna Kea is most known for the number of observatories on top it. There is a road that goes all the way to the top. It is a spectacular place to view the sunset and to look up at the stars. There is 40% less atmosphere to block out the light of the stars. It is a spectacular sight. Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano, and has not erupting in a long time.

Mauna Loa is still an active volcano. It was threatening to destroy Hilo back in the 1980s. Mauna Loa can be driven to the top with a 4×4. Only the locals dive up. At about 11,000 feet there is NOAA weather station that has been contributing the longest running climate change experiment.

Both mountains are very important to the native Hawaiians and their culture.

And We are Back ….

We have not posted anything lately. We are going to be posting regularly until things get caught up. Stay Tuned!

There will be something tomorrow morning.

Flying back home

We are flying back today. We are at Heathrow at tad bit early because we had to drop off Max 4 hours before we take off. Poor guy is going to have to cross his legs for over 12 hours.

Luckily we have Lounge access. The lady that checked us in suggested that United lounge in Heathrow was better that the Luftsansa lounge. No — I do not think so. It is ok, and better than most, but the premium Luftanasa lounge is a bit better.

We will land in EWR mid afternoon, and then either crash in hotel near EWR or if I am awake start driving home. The hotel we have booked will allow us to cancel up until 6pm (11pm UK time). So we have flexibility.

We leave for Los Angeles and then on to Hawaii on Wednesday Oct 26th.

Amsterdam Via Ferry

We recently headed over to Amsterdam. The city of tulips, canals, dykes, windmills, weed, and prostitutes. We took an overnight ferry from New Castle to the port city of Ijumuiden and then a bus into the heart of Amsterdam in the Canal district.

We took a 3-4 hour train ride over to Newcastle. Which is always pretty relaxing.

The Ferry ride over was quite pleasant. It was a fifteen hour journey. We had a simple cabin with an ensuite bathroom and shower on DFDS ferry. We were able to experience both of their ships. It was like a mini cruise almost. There was live entertainment. The restaurants and service were great. We had dinner and breakfast on board and a few cocktails. It was quite civilized way to travel. It was cheaper than flying and no hassle at the airport. In the future I would consider adding and overnight ferry again to a trip.

Windmills off the coast of the Netherlands.

The city was pretty amazing. The canals made the city feel less dense. We did not part take in any of the debauchery that goes on but we did walk through the red light district. The highlight was visiting the Van Gogh museum. Thankfully we got there before it got busy and the queue (line) spilled out the door. We were able to enjoy about half of the museum in relative peace and quiet.

The Waag – Part of the Original city wall and defense

On the way back into the UK, we were stopped for the second time entering the UK and they really put through the paces. Something that we are saying is raising a red flag. On the way back from Athens and now Amsterdam we were really put through the paces. We were not prepared for it. Seems like it would be a good idea to travel with all of my bank statement and copies of my entire journey. Both times the Border Force Agent took extensive notes as to what I was telling her. Although I was let in, it left us with an uneasy feeling. In the future I will be traveling with more documentation. We think it is combination of the duration of my stay, the fact that I am associated with UK national and have no legal status in the country. Seems as though it raises a red flag about whether I will leave or not. It might also have been an issue, that as we got off the boat in the Netherlands, they were not checking passports. They started just after me. There was no record of me leaving. Port security, Immigration and customs was pretty light compared to an airport.

Central Station – The main train station in central Amsterdam

Typical Canal Street. Notice the building are not quite straight.

More from North Yorkshire – Bolton Abbey and Brimham Rocks

While my parents were here we all went to Bolton Abbey, Brimham Rocks and Harrogate.

Bolton Abbey is a beautiful ruin by a river – with part of the Abbey still a working church.

Brimham Rocks is managed by the National Trust and amazing. Huge rocks in lots of different shapes – all weathered by the elements. Middle or nowhere – but you know its England when at the top of the hill there is a little kiosk where they will make you a cup of tea – and in a teapot at that!

Cruise Part two

We docked in Rhodes – and could see the old town from the ship.

Its a beautiful walled town, with the walls and several of the buildings dating back to the medieval ages when the Knights Templar ruled here.

The street of the knights

In Kalymnos – we anchored and the water platform was down. We went scuba diving with a local dive centre. Not much to see but good practise. The first dive was called “amphora” – and the sights were…

wait for it….

broken amphora.

The second dive we saw some fish and we also got to see and touch a large sponge. Kalymnos is known for sponge diving. I hadn’t realized that sponges are black. They bleach them after they harvest them.

The crew leading YMCA at the on-deck bbq in Kalymnos

Then a day at sea and I got to walk to the bowsprit. Shame I haven’t seen Titanic.

And the last port, Nafplio, had a ruined castle that you could get a bus up to or climb 999 steps…

Well – in the end we are pretty sure it was more than 999 steps.

There were lovely views down to the harbor and town though.

Two rival ships also in port. The one with the sails is the Royal Clipper and is operated by Star Clippers.

Views from the ship

There used to be a chain across this harbor – which is what this little island was for.

Sailing back to Athens

The sail-away (I can only show short movies as the full length ones are too large for this site).

Our rival sailing ship the Royal Clipper as we sail by.

The crew bid us goodbye on the last night

Arrived in Settle

We are now in Settle in North Yorkshire. There is beautiful countryside here really close by in each direction. Lots of walks we can do from the door. Max has some large picture windows to look out of and window sills to sit on. As we are here for almost 6 weeks – he also has a new scratching post and a parsley plant to love.

We are staying very close to where my grandma used to live. There are walks here that I have done all my life. Here are some photos from walking today.

This sign has been here for years and always makes me smile. It used to say “Dog Meadow Allotments. No Dogs allowed”. At least now I suppose they are allowed in on a lead/leash…

There are statues all over Settle at the moment made of flowerpots. I am not sure why – but some of them are really good. I’ll try and take some photos. This is one round the corner from where we are staying – but they are all over. People, animals, Dinosaurs.

Back in London

Max stayed at a very nice cattery while we were sailing round Greece – with a nice cat-lover called Jen. http://www.heathrow-cattery.co.uk/

I am not sure Jen had ever met a cat who liked to play as much as Maxie. She said that by the end of the first day he had already had a party with a scratching post with attached feathers – and his very spacious apartment looked like a down duvet had exploded. He had a view of her lovely garden from the end of his space – and we hope that lots of birds and squirrels came by to say hello while he was there.

Max was very happy to see us though on our return and come back to the cottage south of London.

Here were a couple of his favorite spots in the cottage

There was some beautiful Kent countryside just a few minutes walk from the cottage. These are from an early morning walk I took – a 3 mile loop.

The house for the first week

We are at our first house. Max is settling in. He is enjoying his view of the Keston country side just outside of London and inside the M25. This house is located on a horse farm.
View from the living room.

We had trouble getting here. We were on basically one lane roads, with pull offs to give the right of way to on coming traffic. Yes they are one pan roads with two way taffy. Everyone was doing 50 + mph. There was quite a bit of traffic too. This system works if everyone is driving perfectly and they know the road and some American that is still trying to remember to shift with his left hand and stay on the correct side of the road is Also not on the road. Needless to say I hit on tree, just my wing mirror (side mirror), and it just folded in – no damage. I also got friendly with some bushes as I realized a bit late I was supposed to yield.

We should not have taken that route. The Satnav(GPS) took us a very bad way.

The back patio view with some horses.