Tag

beaches

The United States

Day 172: McWay Falls and the arrival at San Francisco

June 15, 2014

Today, Phillip and I planned to explore McWay Falls, another spectacular waterfall on our global adventure. Despite my groggy state at 5 am, I roused Phillip from his deep slumber and urged him to buckle up. As I headed north on the highway, Phillip snoozed peacefully, oblivious to the journey ahead. The overcast skies didn’t dampen my spirits as I embarked on the 45-minute to one-hour drive. Initially, the road was straight, but as we approached the coast, it twisted and turned, offering a scenic journey ahead. Feeling increasingly drowsy, I realized it was time to find a place to…

Continue reading
by Maarten
Leave a comment
The United States

Day 171: The road towards Santa Barbara

June 14, 2014

Today, Phillip and I planned to visit Santa Barbara as part of our road trip to San Francisco. I woke up around 10 am, feeling surprisingly relaxed despite staying up late working the night before. The three UK girls—though I suspect they were actually from Ireland—joined the party last night. One of them ended up vomiting in the dorm, which was quite the spectacle, haha. I informed Phillip that we would depart at 11 am. While waiting, I took a shower, burned a CD, and headed to Subway for breakfast. Opting for a rare choice, I purchased a…

Continue reading
by Maarten
Leave a comment
The United States

Day 170: Californian road trip! The City of Angels

June 13, 2014

I reached Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) at 6 am. After stepping outside the terminal, I decided to use the restroom before retrieving my backpack from the luggage belt. However, as I approached the urinal in the corner, I was met with a disgusting sight: a large piece of feces lying in the urinal. “Welcome to Los Angeles, Maarten,” I muttered to myself with a wry smile. A few minutes later, I retrieved my bag from the baggage pick-up area. Deciding to grab breakfast first, I inquired about nearby dining options from the security officers stationed outside the baggage claim…

Continue reading
by Maarten
Leave a comment
Road in the neighborhood of Kailua-Kona, the Big Island Hawaii
The United States

Day 168: The last drive on the Big Island

June 11, 2014

Today didn’t offer much excitement until I reached the charming Manago Hotel. I rose around 9 am, got myself ready, and began some writing on my laptop. However, hunger soon beckoned, prompting me to stroll back to the nearby store. As I stepped outside, the lively sounds in the air hinted at a special event—a celebration for King Kamehameha. Grabbing a drink from the shop, I returned to the hotel. Shortly after, I made the impromptu decision to head towards Kailua-Kona. On my way out, I struck up a conversation with two men painting the hotel exterior. They suggested…

Continue reading
by Maarten
Leave a comment
The United States

Day 167: A rainbow, cliffs and a nice hotel room

June 10, 2014

Today, I planned to explore another waterfall at the Akaka Falls State Park. Around 8 am, the chatter of people in the dorm lobby, including Wendy, reached my ears, but I remained in bed until 9 am. By then, the voices had dissipated. Taking a leisurely approach, I savored some pineapple and a refreshing drink. As I indulged in my morning ritual, I engaged in conversations with friends back home, mindful of the 12-hour time difference in the Netherlands. Despite the dreary weather, which had persisted since yesterday evening’s drizzle, I found a strange comfort in it. Yesterday, the sound…

Continue reading
by Maarten
Leave a comment
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…

Continue reading
by Maarten
Leave a comment
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…

Continue reading
by Maarten
Leave a comment
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…

Continue reading
by Maarten
Leave a comment
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…

Continue reading
by Maarten
Leave a comment
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…

Continue reading
by Maarten
Leave a comment