Went to see Lava Tubes. They look like tunnels that run under the rainforest. They are actually hollowed out lava flows. The vegetation has regenerated on the old lava flows over thousands of years. And will continue to do so on the newer lava flows, there is evidence of this all over the park. There are steam vents all over the park, where fissures have formed, rain water seeps in and condenses when it meets the hot rocks below the surface. The steam is then re...

Went to Volcanoes National Park today. Weather was awful, we're in the middle of the rainforest and boy, did it rain! Visibility poor most of day, but we still got out. Went on a guided walk with a Ranger and learnt about some of the flora and fauna of the islands, and some of the local folklore. Walked along rim of caldera. Could see it steaming in the distance, belching out thousands of metric tons of sulphur dioxide (not good for those with chest problems). ...

Moved on from Hilo. Could just sit for hours watching the waves roll in. Drove up to the Akaka Falls State Park. Very impressive. As one person said, it's like Jurassic Park. Thick, luxurious rainforest. Very hot and humid. Huge trees, ferns and bamboo. Wonderful flowers, bright colours, vines and creepers. Drive down to our new accommodation, near the Volcano National Park. Hope they don't erupt tonight, but we have instructions telling us what to do if there i...

Arrived on Big Island yesterday, in the dark. Stayed at Hilo for the night, Aaron's Cottage. A great little place. The owners Alan and Penne were great. Made us food and gave us beer because we were too tired to go out. An amazing garden with bananas, coconuts and tangerines growing, among other things. Lots of wild life including some strange little frogs that that you heard but never saw. Lots of things that bite here. Sat on beach at end of the road and watch...

If you've ever thought of driving to LA in the dark, don't bother! The signposting over here is dreadful! Got lost twice! Can't read the signposts, the few that there are, in the dark. Ended up in the docks. Like something out of a film! But got there in plenty of time. Good flight. You realize just how isolated Hawaii is when you fly six hours from LA over nothing but ocean and the next major landmass in the other direction is at least ten hours away.