Day 4: Zoo/Diamond Head Crater

To start off with, heres just a small bit about Jean and what Ive gathered so far. Shes in considerably great shape because she doesnt own a car and walks pretty much every day to the buses (picking up litter along the way) and does her routines just like any other Jerry Gold Card member (you like that? Just made it up). She likes to talk about her family, the war, new mexico which is where she is from, and pretty much anything you throw at her. Although she will repeat conversations you have already had it is quite entertaining because you can just go a different route this time and see where it leads. She is unbelievably accomidating and even laid out breakfast for me the first morning. Its amazing how much simple food can make such a HUGE difference when your on your own like this. Eggs, toast, ham, grapefruit, and cold coffee.

After breakfast and chatting with Jean for a bit she asks me if I wanted to stay another night and I say sure. I was then free to leave my stuff, taking only what I needed and do whatever. Best..feeling..ever..so far on the trip. I went to the zoo which didnt have anything spectacular in the animal department but the tropical scenery was amazing.

After leaving the zoo I happened across an anual Ukalele Festival. I decided to pull up some grass and eat lunch. The music was really good and there were tons of people. At the end they ended with a popular Hawaiian song and a random local family grabbed my hand and everyone was swaying to the music. Kind of like in Death Valley after the game with the Almader(sp).

I then begin to make my hike to see the Diamond Head Crater, a massive crater on the east coast of the island. I stopped at a comminty college on the way and the view this school had of the beach and ocean is unreal. I wish I had thought to go there actually just for that lol. I continued on my hike and make it all the way to the crater entrance but Im apparently 15 minutes late again! The guys at the entrance were total jerks about it all too and wouldnt let me through even though they just let people in front of me through! So needless to say I walked away hacked off but remembered a trail leading up I saw on the way there. So I head for that.

Again, which is why I love traveling so much, I randomly chanced upon a hidden skate and bike park next to the crater up the hills a bit. There was a big deal going on with the locals and they were playing bike polo. It was fun to watch and take pictures and I even talked to a couple of them. They pointed out the trail to the top and I started my climb.

Let me go ahead and say this. DONT WEAR FLOPS WHILE CLIMBING A VERY STEEP AND SLIPPERY CRATER! I know at least one person reading this who will be proud :) I actually got a bit worried of falling at a few hard parts because not only was I wearing flip flops but I had two bags with me including my camera and another lens. So falling was not an option. But somehow I make it to the top alive. Beat THAT Christina! =p And of course Mom got the now traditional phone call when Im on top of things that could kill me if I fall. Sorry it was so late for you Mom!

At least the victory was worth it. The views were simply awesome and I was able to get the pics I wanted. Well very soon to my complete surprise again, traveling would strike its randomness. I get the crap scared out of me by a guy wearing no shirt and jogging! Im in the middle of eating and listening to music and BAM! random dude in my face in a seemingly extremely unoccupied place on the ridge of the crater.

Well we start talking and the guys name is Mike and hes from Switzerland. We talk for a bit and take pictures before heading down. Luckily he came up a much safer way so we went down that way. He ends up going to same area Im in with Jean so we walk back together and eat dinner at the hostel he is staying in. I grabbed a corona from the store and wen to town on my fresh cheeseburger and home cooked fries and pasta. Was more a victory meal if anything else. And believe me I earned it.

I get introduced to multiple people staying there and this place is set up awesomely. I cant wait to stay at one now. They have two big screen tvs set up and music going during dinner and its all ouside but covered by the building. I also meet this amazing girl from Sweeden and a guy she traveled with here who is from VA.

The four of us decided to go out to a bar so we did and we quickly see that dude from VA has no idea how to control himself and drinks entirely too much. Basicslly he makes a fool of himself the rest of the night and we just try to get him back to hostel. Afterwards we were headed to the beach for a night swim but it ended up just being me and Sara, the Sweeden girl. We had a blast with the waves pounding on this concrete barrier we were on, sending huge torrents of water on us. Again I find myself just in awe at how traveling opens up opportunities for ANYTHING to happen.

Im in Hawaii, Ive just climbed a crater, met a guy from Switzerland, drank with new friends, and now swimming on the beach with a pretty girl from Sweeden with a nice accent. GREAT DAY!