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The United States

A beautiful waterfall surrounded by green nature, Rainbow Falls, the Big Island Hawaii
The United States

Day 166: Time well spent in paradise

June 9, 2014

Today was filled with a multitude of activities in and around Hilo. Due to the uncomfortable night, I woke up earlier than planned. By 4:40 am, I departed from the campsite and headed back towards the visitor center, a 15-minute drive from there to the Kilauea crater. Although the weather wasn’t rainy, a persistent drizzle persisted. However, what truly frustrated me was the poor visibility caused by thick clouds obscuring the scenery. Upon reaching the crater, I attempted to capture some photos, but unfortunately, they all turned out blurry. The combination of fog and low light proved too challenging…

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The United States

Day 165: The southernmost point of the United States

June 8, 2014

Today marks my journey’s pinnacle as I venture towards the Volcanoes National Park. I sluggishly arose at 9 am, later than intended, cursing my penchant for laziness. Slapping together a hasty breakfast of peanut butter on bread, I marveled at my consumption of carbs, relieved not to waste any slices this time. After a brisk shower, I swiftly prepared for the day, completing both breakfast and ablutions within 30 minutes. To my chagrin, the eccentric fellow in the Hawaiian shirt lingered at the hostel, irking me solely due to his odd demeanor. After an hour’s drive southward, I found myself…

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Beautiful lava rock beach south of Kona International Airport
The United States

Day 164: Wawaloli Beach and Pu’uhonua o Honaunau

June 7, 2014

Today I would visit the village Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park. I woke up around 7 am but opted to snooze a bit longer. By 9:30 am, I finally rose for the day. I had a simple breakfast of bread with peanut butter, grabbed a drink, and packed my belongings back into the car. I had no intention of returning to this hostel. While it was acceptable, I had read some negative reviews about it online. Today, I planned to camp overnight at Volcano National Park, where camping was free. Currently, I was in Kailua-Kona, located on the…

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Kealakekua Bay in the distance, Hawaii
The United States

Day 163: Giving up on a strenuous hike

June 6, 2014

Today, I had planned to hike to Kealakekua Bay, but ultimately, I didn’t complete the hike. My alarm sounded at 5:30 am, prompting me to rise and pack the last of my belongings quietly, so as not to disturb the others in the room. I waited for what felt like a long time at the bus stop for the airport bus. Finally, around 6:30 am, it arrived. Despite my skepticism, I checked Google Maps to confirm our route and direction after my experiences with unreliable buses. Fortunately, everything went smoothly. By around 7:15 am, I had reached…

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The mess at the dorm from a night of partying
The United States

Day 162: Regaining strength

June 5, 2014

I was stirred awake by Neema’s urgent voice. “Maarten, the rental car! It needs to be returned before 10 am,” he exclaimed. I had totally forgot the car returnal. Glancing at my watch, I realized it was already 10 am. Neema swiftly dialed the rental company, reassuring them amidst the traffic delay. “We’ll be there in 15 minutes,” he assured them confidently. I couldn’t help but smile at Neema’s quick thinking. Truly a hero in the moment of need. Neema suggested I stay in bed, but I insisted on accompanying him. I didn’t want him to feel burdened with the…

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The United States

Day 161: Pearl Harbor and the Spitting Caves

June 4, 2014

Today, our adventure led us to Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The day began with the soft light of morning filtering through the curtains, gently nudging me awake around 8 am. With a sense of anticipation, I roused my friend Neema from his slumber, knowing we had plans to secure a car for the day’s exploration. Luckily, Neema had the inside scoop on a local car rental company, so I happily tagged along. By splitting the cost, I could afford to let him take the wheel, saving us both a cool $25. By the time we hit the road around 9…

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Maarten at Lanakai Beach with view on the isles Mokulua and Moku Iki
The United States

Day 160: Lanakai Beach and a hula dance

June 3, 2014

Today, I embarked on an adventure to the breathtaking Lanakai Beach, known for its pristine white sandy shores. Rising with the sun at 7 am, I eagerly prepared for the day ahead. Waking my friend Malena, I soon realized she needed a bit more time to gather her belongings. Impatience crept in as I waited, imagining myself already en route on the bus. Minutes later, we found ourselves at Bruce’s doorstep. It turned out that he wanted to join us on his birthday, which he was celebrating in Hawaii. Despite the slight delay, I welcomed his company. As we approached…

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View at Honolulu boulevard from Eggs 'n Things
The United States

Day 159: Reading a book and doing nothing

June 2, 2014

Today nothing much special happened, the one thing to mention is my breakfast at Eggs ‘n Things and a stroll along the boulevard. I woke up later than usual, feeling somewhat aimless about the day ahead. Neema, Jeanne, and Mel, whom I had met yesterday, invited me to join them for breakfast, so I decided to tag along. They suggested a bustling spot along the boulevard called Eggs ‘n Things. Although I wasn’t particularly hungry, I lacked the motivation to plan my day and engage in activities. It seemed like today would be a low-key one for me. We strolled…

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Waves crashing at Waikiki Beach, Honolulu
The United States

Day 158: Lost in paradise, Honolulu

June 1, 2014

After my flight from Fiji, today I would embark on a stroll through Waikiki, Honolulu. As the bus departed from the airport, I approached the driver and requested directions, mentioning the street name. He assured me he’d indicate when we reached the correct stop, for which I expressed gratitude. Taking my seat, I observed my fellow passengers. Among them were a few Hawaiians, though not in abundance. Interestingly, some bore a distinct Asian resemblance, reminiscent of characters from the animated TV show “Lilo and Stitch”—a thought that elicited a chuckle from me. As the bus journey continued, I noticed…

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