Saturday, April 09, 2016

H is for Hawaii

For the letter H, we’re traveling into the sunset to the big island of Hawaii.  It is one of three states that I've not visited, making it a necessity for my bucket list. Although all the islands (and the state) is called Hawaii, the name also applies to the big island, my ultimate destination.
This Hawaii travel photo reminded
 me of Twain's adventures 
This beautiful island in the middle of the Pacific, with active volcanoes and beautiful mountains and coastline, including a place where hot lava turns water into steam as it seeps into the ocean.  What’s not to like?  In the aftermath of the American Civil War, Mark Twain spent some time on the Big Island, melting his shoes in a volcano and, as always seems to be his case, renting the worse horse on the island…   He tells about his adventures in the last third of Roughing It.   The islands have been created by a hot spot, where the magma is close to the surface.  As the Pacific plate moves, the hot spot moves, creating a chain of islands with all the active volcanoes on the last island.   Hawaii, the big island, is also the only island growing as more land is being created as lava continues to flow.  It also has the highest mountains in the island chains, high enough to occasionally receive snow on its peak.  But at the base of the mountain, the temperate remains pretty constant with winds keeping it not too hot and not too cold.   

While there, in addition to exploring volcanoes, I’d want to spend hours napping in a hammock strung between palm trees, days snorkeling in the beautiful water, and meals overloaded with pineapples.   For a corner of the internet that regularly features the beauty of Hawaii (the state) and matches the photos with interesting quotes, check out Cloudia's blog.  Well, she mostly portrays beauty, her post of April 8, 2016 is of a tattoo parlor as I discovered when I went looking for her address.  





15 comments:

  1. Hawaii is another one that was on my list too. But like you after seeing the remnants of WW2. I think I'd be off to the other islands too.
    It seems Maui and Oahu are the only really populated spots.

    It seems also that the islands changed quite a bit since the 80s. Where once they were the spot only the relatively rich went -with the exception of LA and San Francisco where blue collar could afford- now they do lots of all-in packages. And the rich have gone to the Seychelles.

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  2. As I discovered last month, it truly is a paradise.

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  3. I love your theme and share many of your dreams. I can technically claim to have visited Hawaii but I was a baby and don't remember it. I love the idea of going again and taking our time island hopping. The big island is certainly intriguing.

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  4. I've been to most of the islands but so far I've yet to make it to the big island. It's on my bucket list.

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  5. Mark Twain certainly got around, didn't he? He seems to have lived in or visited just about everywhere.

    I'm beginning to think about hammocks already. Mine is still up and waiting for me. No palm trees, but a restful spot that I intend to frequent this summer.

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  6. I've seen some really beautiful pictures of Hawaii. 2 of my blog buddies lived there for a while and were always sharing pictures.

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  7. Hawaii is on my list too of places I'd like to see. My brother visited there many years ago and loved it. It is such a beautiful destination.

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  8. Hawaii has been on my travel bucket list for a long time. Several of my clients have been there and one of them brought me some of their delicious Kona coffee.

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  9. I am fortunate enough to have traveled there twice. The first time I saw Hawaii and Maui and Oahu, the second time was Oahu and Kauai. I loved it all so much, but I would move to the Big Island if I had enough money to live there - it is very expensive.

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  10. I haven't been there yet, but someday. You sure know how to make each place special in their own way.

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  11. ... have experienced Hawaii and will go back there for sure ... Kauai is a real gem ... pack ur back pack and a tent, rent a car and go hiking in this piece of paradise ... smiles ... Love, cat. http://ckpeacemaker.wordpress.com/ and scroll down til u see: Hawaii, if u like ... smiles.

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  12. Not to be contrarian but I never had the desire to leave the continent especially now that I can't fly or drive long distances Jeff. HA--I think the trade winds would just about do it for me, so if you do go, eat spam in all its varieties and bring them thar fair winds back with you.

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  14. Would love to see that state myself!

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  15. Sage: You fascinate me with new facts about Twain. Who knew? I'm enjoying your series!

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