Wo fange ich am besten an?

Es gibnt soviele tolle Neuheiten und Geschenkideen, dass die nächsten 5 Jahre  Weihnachten kein Problem darstellen sollte

Superschöne Engel

Sehr viele neue Opale und andere Einzelstücke

Aktuell haben wir ca.  250 verschiedene, exklusive Einzelstücke!

Irre schöne Armbänder aus Stein!

Für alle Uhren Fans gibt es die neue Linie von Aristo Uhren!

Gehäuse und Armband aus 6925er Silber! Gebürstet Faltschließe Direkt aus Pforzheim Europas Metropole für Uhren und Schmuck:   ARISTO 925 Silber-Damenuhren von ARISTO VOLLMER Das Design: Klare Linien bestimmen die Formensprache von Gehäuse und Armband. Das Material: Sterling Silber 925 verbindet hochwertige Anmutung mit jugendlichem Charme. Die Verarbeitung: Aufwändige Oberflächen-Behandlung (Scratching-Technik) schenkt Profil und Charakter. Das Innenleben: Schweizer Präzisions-Quarzuhrwerk garantiert hohe Gang-Genauigkeit.ARISTO 925: Die anspruchsvolle Damenuhr made in Pforzheim. Das gibt es wirklich: Eine modische Damenuhr von ARISTO VOLLMER! Und aus Sterling Silber 925! Und außerdem noch veredelt in aufwändiger Scratching-Technik! Hansjörg Vollmer war bislang eher bekannt als Sportuhren- Entwickler. Von der Taucheruhr bis hin zur Raketen-Navigationshilfe reicht inzwischen das Angebot seiner ARISTO VOLLMER GmbH. Nun präsentiert der Pforzheimer Uhren-Concepter die edel anmutende Serie ARISTO STERLING SILVER 925. Hansjörg Vollmer: “Diese Uhren habe ich konzipiert für anspruchsvolle Frauen, die ein hochwertiges Material und edles Finish zu schätzen wissen.” Schon auf den ersten Blick ist allen ARISTO 925 Modellen die Besonderheit des verwendeten Silber-Materials – und vor allem seiner Bearbeitung – anzusehen. Beim hier angewendeten Edel-Scratching-Verfahren kommt den Uhrenmachern die Erfahrung der Uhrband-Manufaktur Ernst Vollmer (gegründet 1922) zugute. 2005 hatte Hansjörg Vollmer – als Vertreter der dritten Generation – dieses Pforzheimer Familienunternehmens mit der Traditions-Uhrenmarke ARISTO vereinigt. „Edel-Scratching ist wie das Schleifen eines Diamanten. Eine falsche Handbewegung mit den Werkzeugen genügt – und das Rohmaterial ist nicht mehr verwendbar.“ Der Uhren-Concepter begründet seine Entscheidung für dieses aufwändige Verfahren: „Ich wollte mit all der Kompetenz unserer Metallarmband-Manufaktur eine Uhr fertigen, bei der das Zifferblatt und das Armband zu einer unverwechselbaren Einheit verschmelzen.“ Die Edel-Scratching-Verarbeitung und das Material sind die gemeinsamen Erkennungsmerkmale der ARISTO 925 Familie. Hansjörg Vollmer: „Silber ist – im Vergleich zu Gold oder Platin – das Edelmetall mit der jugendlichsten Ausstrahlung. Diesen Effekt konnten wir mit unserem Edel-Scratching noch kultivieren.“ Als individuelle Besonderheiten stehen für die Modelle der ARISTO 925 Serie verschiedene Zifferblätter aus beschichtetem Silber, 18 Karat Rot- oder Gelbgold zur Verfügung. Bei den Armbändern kann ebenfalls zwischen den Farbnuancen „Gold“ oder „Kupfer“ gewählt werden. Wegen des bewussten Verzichts auf einen Sekundenzeiger benötigt die ARISTO 925 ein Uhrwerk, auf das sich auch die termin-orientierte Business-Frau jederzeit verlassen kann. Hansjörg Vollmer: „Mit den Ronda-Quarzwerken vom Typ 751 und 762 habe ich bislang immer nur die besten Erfahrungen gemacht.“ Und noch ein weiterer Aspekt wird bei Damenuhren gerne vernachlässigt – und zwar der Schutz vor Staub und Feuchtigkeit. Hansjörg Vollmer: „Eine silberne Damenuhr muss da schon bessere Werte bieten als eine Fashion-Uhr, die nur eine Saison lang getragen wird.“ Eine ARISTO 925 ist da schon eher was fürs Leben. Deshalb ist das Gehäuse der eckigen Version bis 3 atm und das der runden bis 5 atm wasserdicht. Des weiteren haben wir neu die Firma Casani by Pfeiffer aufgenommen! Hier gibt es ein tolles Schmuckset zu kaufen! Zudem bietet Casani Ihnen tolle neue Engel in Gold und Silber und viele weitere Schmuckstücke für Kinder! Neu auch im Engel: “Varius Kreis” Hier erst einmal nur ein Bild. Ein ausführlicher Artikel folgt noch Was finden Sie ab heute noch? Geniale Steinketten zum Superpreis, günstige Apatit, klare Bergkristallspitzen, Larimar – Engel und vieles mehr! Ich werde nun den ruhigen Samstag nutzen, viele Artikel noch fotografieren und neue Artikel einstellen. Freuen Sie sich auf tolle Geschenke zum Nikolaus, auf die Kollektion von “More & More”, schöne Herzketten und edle neue Steine! Herzlichst Andrea Mennebäck

Sample: Gabbro (solid cylinder)
Normal load: ~8 MPa
Velocity: 5 m/s

This is a preliminary test of the new High Velocity Rotary Friction Apparatus in Rome, at the High Pressure High Temperature Laboratory of Experimental Volcanology and Geophysics of INGV. The primary investigator for the project is Giulio Di Toro

I am involved in investigating earthquake parameters, also utilizing a rotational apparatus much like the one showed on the video. But, our runs are a bit more tame in comparison.

(I found this picture on http://extremeeclubpenguincheats.wordpress.com/, so all credit goes to him)

Isn’t this interesting?!? In this picture, there are 3 players. They have some new cards, they are all wearing ninja masks (why don’t they do that in the Ninja Hideout too?) and they are on stones floating in lava, with the pictures of fire, water and snow on them!

Do you think Card-Jitsu: Fire has been released EARLY, or is this on a Spanish server or something? Hmmm….

Comment your opinion!

-Mac Storm

by Donald B. MacGowan

Kilauea Lava Stream at Night: Photo courtesy of Big Island Air

Whether you visit the Big Island for a few days, a couple weeks or a few months, you want to make the most of your time in Paradise. With such a wide variety of natural and commercial attractions, it is natural for the visitor to get a little overwhelmed in the “Option Overload” and not be able to make a balanced and informed decision on what they want to do and how best to spend their time.

Amanda Maus at Thurston Lava Tube, Hawaiii Volcaoes National Park: Photo by Uncle Donnie MacGowan

Even choosing which beach you want to spend time on, or where you want to hike can be an exercise in confusion and conflicting advice.  Clearly, visitors to Hawaii could use help making quality decisions about how best to spend their time.

The Pacific Ocean and Waikupanaha Ocean Entry Explosion Plume at the End of Chain of Craters Road, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donnie MacGowan

Tour Guide Hawaii is excited and proud to announce the release of their new GPS/WiFi enabled App for iPhone and iPod that helps you navigate your trip to Hawaii with hours of informative, location-aware video and information. Although our video guide will lead you to dozens of unusual, untamed and unspoiled spots, let’s look at a scenic drive through one of Hawaii’s most popular attractions, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and highlight just a bit of the information you might not be able to find from maps and guidebooks that could otherwise cause you to miss some very interesting places and amazing sights if you did not have Tour Guide Hawaii’s new App.

Dusk at the Waikupanaha Lava Ocean Entry, Hawaii: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

A Scenic Drive Through Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

Introduction

La'epuki Lava Ocean Entry, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is a magical, spiritual, wondrous, strange and beautiful place comprised of great contrasts and contradictions: dry as dust desert to teeming tropical jungle; frigid sub-arctic wasteland to steaming black sand beaches to rivers of flowing lava.

Kilauea Crater and Eruption of Halema'uma'u, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

The star attractions in the Park are a pair of active volcanoes; Mauna Loa is the largest mountain on earth and Kilauea is most active volcano on earth. However, there are numerous other wonders from lava tubes to crawl down, black sand beaches with sea turtles to watch, mysterious petroglyph fields to explore, tropical jungles to hike through, endangered bird species to find, happy-face spiders to amuse and an otherworldly volcanic landscape so fresh it’s still steaming.

Hikers warily approach a stagnant lava flow whose surface is still glowing gently, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. During daylight hours, an access fee is charged. The Visitor Center has a 24-hour information line at 808.985.6000 and there is a 24-hour eruption hotline at 808.987.8862. Within the Park tune to A.M. radio 530 for continuous information broadcast. There are tourist items available for sale, and one restaurant and in the park; however, generally, shopping, restaurants and gasoline are mainly only available in the nearby village of Volcano.

iPhone and iPod Touch Video Tour Guide for Hawaii-fully GPS and WiFi enabled, fully interactive. Hours of interesting and compelling content. Available from iTunes or at www.tourguidehawaii.com.

There are four main roads which access most of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: the Mauna Loa Scenic road, which lies above the visitor’s center and winds up the slopes of Mauna Loa; Crater Rim Drive which circumnavigates the summit crater of Kilauea Volcano; Chain of Craters Road which runs down the southeast rift zone along a series of volcanoes and pit craters to the ocean and Hinlina Pali Road, which cuts across Kilauea Volcano to the cliffs along the sea.

Mauna Loa Scenic Road

View of Mauna Loa from the Mauna Loa Scenic Road, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

This gateway to the southern flank of the world’s largest mountain, Mauna Loa, lies about 2 ½ miles west of the main entrance to the park. The road traverses lava desert, ohi’a scrub savanna, fern forest and ends at the start of the hiking trail to the icy heights of Mauna Loa’s summit.

Lava Tree Molds, Mauna Loa Scenic Road, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

A small fork road heading east just after the start of Mauna Loa Road leads to a series of tree molds that formed when lava poured through the deep tropical forest. The trees were too wet to burn and the lava simply cooled around the trunks. Later, as the trees rotted, these unusual, deep pit molds were left behind. Definitely worth a visit, there are even pit toilets available at the Tree Molds.

About 1 ½ miles further along Mauna Loa Road is Bird Park, or Kipuka Puaulu. A forested island in a giant lava flow, this micro-ecosystem preserves forest plants and animals and is a haven to many bird members of Hawai’i’s endangered species. Cool, quiet, restful and inviting, there is a one-mile nature trail around this tropical forest oasis.

Looking into a Lava Tree Mold, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Mauna Loa Road is closed at various elevations at various times due to fire hazard. If one has the time and an adventurous heart, it is well worth the trip to drive to the end of the road and perhaps even hike a ways up it. The start of the Mauna Loa summit trail is here, but for even hardy hikers, that goal is at least two days hard hiking distant. The world’s largest active volcano is a LOT bigger than it looks!

Crater Rim Drive

Sunrise Mauna Loa from Crater Rim Drive, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

A fine introduction to the wonders of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Crater Rim Drive circles the summit crater of Kilauea Volcano, including Halema’uma’u Crater, the home of Madame Pele. The drive runs 11 fabulous and amazing miles through arid, barren volcanic desert, ohi’a forest and grassland and lush fern jungle. The most interesting sites along the drive are the Visitor’s Center, Jagger Museum, Halema’uma’u Crater, Kilauea Iki Crater, Devastation Trail and Thurston Lava Tube. Although the circuit can be made in under 40 minutes, one should allow at least three hours even to begin to explore this fantastic place; if you have never been here before, you certainly have never seen anything like it. Many people who plan to rush through the Park find themselves utterly engrossed, wind up spending much more time than they planned here and extemporaneously changing their plans, cutting time from some other attraction. Best plan to spend sufficient time here in the first place.

Halema'uma'u Crater, The Home of Madame Pele: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Experience has shown that the impact of the landscape is much greater if the drive is done anti-clockwise

Below are some suggested highlights along Crater Rim Drive. The road currently is closed between Jagger Museum and the intersection with Chain of Craters Road due to the eruption in Halema’uma’u Crater. Also, bear in mind that there are no services available along Crater Rim Drive, except for restrooms, drinking water and the book shop at Jagger Museum..

Frank Burgess Browses the Kilauea Visitor's Center Book Shop at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Kilauea Visitor Center: Newly remodeled and updated, the Kilauea Visitor’s Center is an outstanding resource of information on Hawaii’s volcanoes and the National Park; the not-to-be-missed first stop in the park you must make. The Center is run by enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff that has the most up-to-date information on viewing the eruption, hiking and camping, bird watching, stargazing and just about any other topic of interest to Park visitors. Available for sale in the Center are maps, guidebooks, books and videos about the volcanoes, Hawai’iana, history, plants and every topic you can imagine pertinent to the Park, even souvenirs. There are free brochures and pamphlets on various trails, attractions, hiking safety and lava viewing hazards and precautions.

Visitors Inspect the 3-D Physographic Map of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park at the Kilauea Visitor's Center: Photo by Donnie MacGowan

The Visitor Center is open daily from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.; there are public restrooms, water and pay phones available. Starting at 9 a.m. and showing every hour on the hour is a 20 minute informative movie about the Park; the film changes from time to time, but always contains spectacular footage of eruptions, information on volcanology and the natural and human history of the Park. For information, please call their Info Hot line at 808.985.6000.

The Halema'uma'u Eruption from the Jagger Museum, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Jagger Museum and Hawai’i Volcano Observatory: Famed for its fabulous views of Mauna Loa and Kilauea as much as for its interesting exhibits, The Jagger Museum (named for geologist Thomas A. Jagger) is open daily from 8:30a.m. to 5:00p.m. Exhibits include murals by Herb Kawainui Kane, seismograph charts of eruptions and earthquakes, geological displays and displays about the natural and human history of the Park.

Jagger Museum Parking lot is near a Nesting Ground for the Endangered Nene Goose, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

When entering the parking lot of the Museum/Observatory, be especially careful of the Federally-protected Hawaii Goose, the Nene, who seem to congregate here. The Nene is the State Bird of Hawai’i, and this parking lot and its surrounding area constitute one of the best places for viewing them.

Everet Maynard Explores the Entrance to Thurston Lava Tube, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Thurston Lava Tube: Nahuku, the Thurston Lava Tube, gives the visitor an opportunity for a close-at-hand inspection of the inner plumbing of a volcano. It also makes for an interesting and unique way to escape the noonday heat or afternoon shower, briefly. Lava tubes form when the outer crust of a flowing river of lava begins to cool and crust over, but the lava continues to flow beneath it; as the margins of the flow begin to cool and form walls growing towards the middle, the nascent tube is formed. When the flow has completely drained away, the lava tube is left behind.

Inside Thurston Lava Tube, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Thurston lava tube is a remarkably large, well-preserved and accessible example of a lava tube-type cave. An easy, 0.3 mile trail (about a 15 minute hike) winds through lush fern forest alive with singing birds and buzzing insects, down into a collapse crater entering the lava tube and slipping about 300 feet through the well-lighted, floored cave, popping up through a skylight in the tube and returning to the parking lot. A very easy walk and certainly a “must see” for any visitor to the park.

Eric Carr Enters Thurston Lava Tube, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donnie MacGowan

When Lorrin Thurston, founder of the Honolulu Advertiser, found the cave in 1913, the roof reportedly was covered with stalactites, now there are none—it is said that rapacious tourists removed every one in the intervening years.

Chain of Craters Road

Rainbow at Kealakomo Overlook, Chain of Craters Road, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donnie MacGowan

Following along Kilauea’s East Rift Zone, Chain of Craters Road passes through an amazing array of rift volcanoes, pit craters, lava trenches and flow fields. This road traverses and opens-up some of the most wild and beautiful landscapes seen anywhere, terminating near the active lava flows from Kilauea Volcano. Perhaps nowhere else on earth are the elements high mountains, wild seascapes and active volcanoes and their lava flows more dramatically displayed. Altogether, Chain of Craters Road is a singular and essential addition to any visit to the Island of Hawai’i. Crazily switching-back repeatedly down the Holei Pali, Chain of Craters Road finally reaches the untamed and scenically wild coastline, where giant waves spray and spume over sea cliffs dozens of feet high. Towering steam plumes in the distance at the end of the road mark where unimaginably hot liquid rock pours into the wild, wild sea. A place of mystery, a place of power, a place of wonder

Pitifu; Remnant of a Once Enormous Rain Forest on the Holei Pali, Now Surrounded By Fresh Lava: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Once connecting Volcano Village through the Park to Puna and State Routes 130 and 137 at Kalapana, Chain of Craters Road has repeatedly been badly damaged by earthquake, buried in lava, re-routed and re-built and broken up and buried again. The current eruption, which began in 1983, has buried a significant portion of the currently-closed nine miles of road between its temporary end inside the Park and the eastern closure at the town of Kalapana, outside the eastern edge of the Park. The road is now closed at the 19-mile marker, right at Holei Sea Arch.

Visitors Walk Through the Pu'u Loa Petroglyph Field, Hawaii Volcanoes National Parl: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Collapse features, such as the numerous “pit craters” found along the Chain of Craters Road, form when lava drains out of subterranean chambers, causing the surface to collapse. Notice how all the debris seems to point downward into the bottom of the crater; there is no material around the rim of the crater that is suggestive of eruptive or explosive events. On the walls of the crater, one can see numerous, inter-layered, pre-collapse lava flows and airfall beds that were truncated by the collapse and exposed.

Petroglyphs at Pu'u Loa, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

If a car ride back up the pali can be arranged, riding bicycles round Crater Rim Drive and down Chain of Craters road can be a momentous and fun excursion. Starting slightly above 4200 feet in elevation and ending at virtually sea level, this 22 mile drop from misty mountain cloud forest, running through tropical rain forest and into tropical desert is invigorating physically, stunning visually and makes a wonderfully memorable addition to any visit to the Island of Hawai’i. However, if you decide to pedal the 4200 feet elevation and 22 miles back up Chain of Craters Road to Kilauea Summit in the heat of day, this will also ensure a quite memorable, though far less pleasant, addition to your visit.

Sea Cliffs, Sea Arches, Wild Surf and Magnificent Bird Watching Near the End of Chain of Craters Road, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

There are no services, water, food or gasoline available along the length of Chain of Craters Road. Do not underestimate the draw of this area on your imagination and your spirit; you WILL spend more time here than you think. Plan ahead, get food, water and gas before venturing down the road. Remember, after dark on the South side of Hawai’i Island, it is virtually impossible to find gasoline or food for sale along the highway between Volcano VIllage west to Kona or north to Kea’au.

Hilina Pali Road

Vast Ocean Vistas and Incredible Sunsets are Some of the Rewards for Exploring Hilina Pali Road, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

At 2.2 mile down Chain of Craters Road is the turn off to the Hilina Pali Road. This road is 9 miles of some of the most spectacular, lonely and striking scenery in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Spectatcular coastal views, strangely-colored rock and twisted trees under weird skies make this an fantastic side trip for exploration and photography. Be especially careful when driving this road, it is mostly only one lane and there are more people enjoying this trip through the backcountry than you might think.

Kulanaokuaiki Campground on Hilina Pali Road, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donnie MacGowan

About halfway to Hilina Pali Overlook is the Kulanaokuaiki Campground. Set amongst rifts, collapse features and flows, this desert campground is secluded and spectacular. Driving further across the broad lava flows, past panoramic vistas of Mauna Loa, along the spectacular drop-off of the Hilina Pali (literally “cliff of faith”), one comes to the Hilina Pali Overlook, a great place for a picnic or short hike.

Mauna Loa from Hilina Pali Road, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Connecting with several longer trails across the Ka’u Desert, Kilauea Crater, or down the Pali to such abandoned coastal villages as Halape and Keauhou, the Hilina Pali Overlook is the central cross-roads of back-packing trails which crisscross the park

Spectatcular coastal views, strangely-colored rock and twisted trees under weird skies make Hilina Pali Road a fantastic side trip, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donnie MacGowan

Hilina Pali Road, due to its remoteness and lack of bus traffic, is a great place for a mountain bike ride, birding, or just getting away from crowds and tours. There are magnificent views, heart-stopping sunsets and pit toilets at the Campground and Overlook,. There is no water or other services available. Hilina Pali is a nesting place for the endangered Nene, the Hawai’i State bird, which is related to the Canada Goose. Hilina Pali Road may be closed during Nene nesting season.

Devil'sThroat, Just Across Chain of Crater's Road from the hilina Pali Road Intersection: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Less than 1/10 of a mile from Hilina Pali road is the unmarked Devil’s Throat collapse crater…an excitingly vertically-sided pit that is worth the visit just for the “okole squeezing” peering down the throat will give you.

End of Chain of Craters Road

Holei Sea Arch, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

The end of Chain of Craters Road is currently at the 19 mile marker near the Holei Sea Arch. This is where the road was cut off by flowing lava which also destroyed the 2 million dollar Visitor Center. When the lava is flowing near the road, one can walk right up to it. There are displays about the volcano and natural history of the area, as well as a wealth of information on hiking to, and viewing, the lava, available here.

Hiking to the La'epuki Lava Ocean Entry from the End of Chain of Craters Road, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Hiking all the way out to the active flows is one of the most spiritually rewarding, awe-inspiring, curiosity quenching and amazing things one can do anywhere in the world—but it is neither for the physically unfit nor the meek of spirit. It is a long, hot hike (currently seven miles) over broken ground and glass-sharp rocks; the heat from the volcano is savage; the weather, if clear, is sweltering…frequent squalls blow in off the ocean and the rain and wind can get pretty wild out on the lava plain where there is absolutely no cover or shelter to protect you. No water or shade is available anywhere along the hike. Plan assiduously before you go, make sure you have TWO working flashlights per person for the long hike back in the dark.

Lava Viewing Near Kalapana

Yet another lava viewing photo from Waikupanaha, Hawaii: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

At this time, there is nowhere else can you see lava flowing from a volcano into the sea; no Big Island visit is complete without seeing this awe-inspiring show. Currently lava is only flowing into the sea outside the Park. From the belt Highway, turn south at Kea’au on Highway 130, continuing through Pahoa to the 20 mile marker; take the exit clearly marked “Lava Viewing”, a right branch about, for two miles to the parking area. Port-a-potties are available here. The road is open from 2 p.m. until 10; no cars allowed in after 8. Lava viewing information is available from Hawaii County at 808.961.8093; check conditions before you go. The easy trail, a 20 minute stroll to the viewing area, is well-marked.

Littoral Explosion Plume at Waikupanaha Lava Ocean Entry, Hawaii: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

The quality of viewing varies as lava flows nearer or farther from the trail. Viewing is best at dusk so bring flashlights for the hike out. Take close-toed walking shoes and a hat, long pants and long-sleeved shirt, at least 2 liters of water, sun block and a rain jacket and camera. It’s a good idea to bring a tripod for your camera, or your shots will be blurred. Remember food and gas are not available anywhere nearby after dark, so fill up BEFORE you park, bring snacks and drinks. There are port-a-potties available at the parking lot.

Kilauea Lava River, Hawaii: Photo Courtesy of Big Island Air

To see the new iPhone/iPod Touch App, please visit http://www.tourguidehawaii.com/iphone.html. The best of Tour Guide Hawaii’s free content about traveling to, and exploring, the Big island, can be found here. For more information on traveling to Hawaii in general and on touring the Big Island in particular, please also visit www.tourguidehawaii.com and www.tourguidehawaii.blogspot.com.

The Best Lava Viewing at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is from the Air: Photo by Shannon Walker

Copyright 2009 by Donald B. MacGowan. All rights reserved.

Aloha Everyone,

This is a rather large update. Several new lava photo galleries added from numerous hikes that were previous to the white shelterpod being destroyed by the lava flows.

Also some publishing news that I keep forgetting to mention.

I’ll start with the publishing news since it actually went public back on Sept. 1st. I’m sure most of you have heard of Christian Dior out of Paris, France. They contacted me earlier in 2009 about the need for some lava flow images that would be needed for a composite use for the upcoming worldwide Fahrenheit AD campaign. It was for their updated mens cologne. Parts or most of several of my images were inserted into their images shot when they were here on the Big Island. All active lava to complete what wasn’t available to them at that time of their big shoot. While the base image isn’t mine it’s still an interesting licensing deal as the images are or will be on billboards, packaging, point of purchase displays etc… all over the world.

Any advertisers or companies reading this, I know the lava flows as well or better than anyone and I can deliver excellent results or at the very least be an exceptional consultant/guide for your production or photography crew. This goes for all parts of the Big Island of Hawaii. I have more experience out on the active lava flows than any other professional photographer shooting today. Quality references available by request.

I also have one of my lava flow photos on the current cover of the Big Island Traveler magazine.

Now on to my photos update.

There are a total of 7 new galleries from the new flow that broke out in Oct. 2009. It progressed from high above the pali on the eastern edge of the TEB (Thanksgiving Eve Breakout) flow down through what was left of the eastern part of the long abandoned Royal Gardens subdivision. An entirely new tube system formed and the flow slowly covered most of the existing lava flows on the flats leading to the Waikupanaha ocean entry. It also progressed east into the kipuka’s near the Hawaii county public viewing area. This is the same flow that destroyed the White Shelterpod.

Each of the following galleries will give a brief description of what you will see when viewing them. Some have a large amount of images as I spent quite a bit of time out there. Also, there are several that show a series of images that show a constant progression of the activity. In time I’ll be adding many to my Fine Art gallery.

Remember to use the slide show option when viewing. It can be pause at anytime allowing closer viewing.

10-10-09 Lava

This was more of an exploration hike to within a quarter of a mile of the base of what was once the eastern part of Royal Gardens subdivision to track the advancing new flow. Along the way I stopped at the Waikupanaha ocean entry for sunrise. I met up with some hikers on the way to a very small sulfur lined skylight into the main Waikupanaha lava tube. Lava could be viewed flowing swiftly toward the ocean about 10′ below us. The new lava flow was nearing the base of Royal Gardens. I would return the next morning.

10-11-09 Lava

On this hike I spent the night into the morning at the Waikupanaha ocean entry. It was a nice sunrise. I took along my Tiki Surfer Dude for one last hike. I’ve been collecting images of this trinket for years at several locations on the island and all over the volcano. But, it was beginning to fall apart so it was time for one last wave. I ventured to the base of Royal Gardens to map the current location of the new lava flow. Once again I met up with some hikers. Tiki Surfer Dude caught his last wave.

10-22-09 Lava

A small collection of images showing a film crew in action at the active lava flows. At the time lava was near the last most western section of paved hwy 130 in Kalapana area. The flow would consume this area completely in the following days.

10-28-09

This would be the first of 5 straight days and nights out at the lava flows. Lava was nearing the white shelterpod but, it would move ever so slowly inflating along the way so, I stayed hoping to be there when it finally did consume the structure.  First I checked out the lava flow that was in the forest near the end of the road. I found an interesting cluster of tree molds. Three were right next to each other. From there I visited the ocean entry for sunrise and then to the advancing flow that was nearing the shelterpod. I shot a series of infrared lava flow images and some surface flow shots. It was a great day and sunset. From there I visited the shelterpod for most of the night watching the flow slowly advance towards me.

10-29-30-09 Lava

This was a cool rainy day. I tracked the western lobe of the new flow as it neared the area that would be termed the west Waikupanaha ocean entry. The flow was moving along a previous lava tube. It was filling in cracks along the way. I stayed into the night and found an old Hawaii Volcanoes National Park trail hiker warning sign being covered by the slow-moving flow. I made frequent stops at the shelterpod throughout the night. On the 30th I made a brief stop at the ocean entry and then made my way to the flows near the county viewing area. The lava once again was flowing along the road remnants. Chatted with some tourists and then headed into town to re-stock my supplies for two more days and nights out on the flows. Stopped at a friends and did my laundry too.

10-31-09 Lava

This was a very long and active day at the flows. I was out shooting from 1am until after sunset. The western lobe finally made its way to the ocean over an old bench to the new black sand beach. Images show the flow approaching and then entering the ocean. It drew a small crowd and the lava viewing tour boats. I would venture back to the shelterpod on occasion checking on how close the lava flows were getting to it. Before sunrise and after sunset the nearly full moon lit up the flows real nice.

11-01-09-lava-moon

Another 1am start and the moon lit up the area brightly. Photos of the shelterpod and the advancing flow on all sides and the moon and lava glow on the small bay where the west Waikupanaha ocean entry was flowing. A sunrise visit to the Waikupanaha ocean entry shortly after a very large tube breakout that had extremely large lava bubbles exploding before I could get there. It didn’t last very long. It was a reaction to a small surge in the volume of lava flowing through the tube system. At about 3am a large tube breakout occurred on the lower pali from the new eastern tube system. This flow made its way to the flats in less than half an hour as it channeled very rapidly. Lastly there was a mysterious flame that emitted from the active lava flow only 50′ above the shelterpod. There will be some new Fine art prints from this collection of images. I made my way home this day and returned on Tues. Nov. 3rd just in time for the lava destroying the shelterpod.

I have another venue for my fine art prints. Hawaii’s only 4-D theater at The Shops at Mauna Lani.

New printing options and Adventure based Photo workshops to be announced later this week or early next week.

Aloha,
Bryan Lowry
lavapix.com

All text and images are copyright protected ©Bryan Lowry/lavapix.com. Use without my permission is prohibited.

Experimenting with Maya Dynamics. The speed seem little fast, but getting the idea how it works.

Wanted to share some video clips we took several weeks ago at Kalapana with our little Nikon digital camera. Can’t believe how close we got to burning lava. This particular day was very special, felt like a pilgrimage of sorts.

What struck me at the viewing area was the reverential vibe in the crowd. Never imagined that watching melting rock burn would have such a mesmerizing and calming effect. It seemed to have the same effect on everyone around me, and we knew we were witnessing something special, a fleeting glimpse into the roots of Hawaiian culture. Humbling. Awe-inspiring. Beyond words.

Check it out:

Copyright © Tim Sullivan 2009

ʻAkepa

The Kaulana Manu ʻohana has been busy completing a trail through the kipuka, and removing the relentless invasive species that have taken up residence there. They also work closely with Keauhou Bird Sanctuary to report sightings of the native birds whose habitat they’re restoring—like the endangered ʻAkepa and Hawaiʻi Creeper pictured here.

Hawaiʻi Creeper

Of their many volunteer projects, there’s something for every activity level—trail work is the most rigorous, involving lots of muscle to spread around the cinder and gravel, and to gather rocks for making the trail; invasive species removal is a mild to moderate activity, where you can often sit while working, enjoying the native songbirds; the relaxing task of birding means keeping a keen eye on the forest and recording your sightings on observational sheets.

To become a part of the Kaulana Manu ʻohana, join their volunteer days on Sundays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays, 9am-2pm. For more information, contact Virginia Aragon-Barnes, varagon@dofawha.org, (808) 933-3440.

Picture perfect. Awe-inspiring. Enchanting. But looks can be deceiving.

The world’s perfect cone is coming back in the limelight.

Mt. Mayón, the Philippines’ most active volcano, has caused at least eight tremors for the past 24 hours. Already, nearly a thousand families have been evacuated from some of Daragá’s barrios that are very near the volcano.

Daragá, a municipality in Albay province, is the nearest town to Mt. Mayón. The town was founded by Franciscan missionaries in the late 16th century. It was first called Cagsaua. Soon it became a visita to the parish of nearby Camalig town. On 1 February 1814, the volcano’s massive eruption literally buried the whole town in a deadly flow of lava, ash, and volcanic fire. Today, only the church tower of the Iglesia de Cagsaua remains (later on becoming a spectacular tourist attraction); the rest of the church and the town are already several feet under the ground.

Later on, when the town was rebuilt on top of the old one, its name was changed to Daragá. Since then, the volcano has had other strong explosions. But the town no longer experienced the death and destruction that it faced on that deadly 1st day of February.

*******

As early as June of this year, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has been monitoring Mt. Mayón due to its increased volcanic activity. After spewing a significant amount of ash this past Wednesday, the volcano emitted a crater glow that grew more intense the other night; it was even visible as far as 15 kilometers away!

PHIVOLCS has this to say:

The status of Mayon Volcano remains at Alert Level 2. This means a state of unrest which could lead to more ash explosion or eventually to hazardous magmatic eruption. Thus PHIVOLCS strongly recommends that the 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeast flank of the volcano are off-limits due to the threat from sudden explosions and rockfalls from the upper slope. Active river channels and those areas perennially identified as lahar prone in the southeast sector should also be avoided especially during bad weather condition or when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall. (PHIVOLCS, 10/11/09)

To make the above statement more simple, it means “you guys living within seven kilometers around the volcano, get the hell out of there as fast as you can!”

Hablando de temas apocalípticos (con mi post crítica acerca de 2012), me encuentro con esta pregunta en Yahoo Answers que, al menos al leerla, me parece una maravilla, sobre todo porque el sujeto que la plantea seguro sí está hablando enserio. Y la respuesta no tiene precio…

Destruction!

So this  morning (More like; a week or two ago. This post has been sitting in my drafts forever.) I finally got a couple viewers. In seeing this, I decided to give those who are reading my blog a little insight to the book. Something I have been avoiding since the beginning of my blog. But it is high time to fulfill my promise. Then I just might get a couple more viewers, and maybe a link or two. Wherein I will actually be fine with this, in seeing the fact that I will actually have a post describing my main purpose.

So all in all, I am hoping to eventually be named “The next J.K. Rowling.”

A couple things I like in books, is the mere fact that it is entirely possible that this is going on right now. Harry Potter for instance, I believe was such a hit because it is so well planned, that the entire story could be real.

This sounds weird, I know. But the wizards in harry potter cover their existence so nobody knows they exist, and they do a pretty good job of it. Meaning, if there really were wizards, and they really were trying to hide their existence, we would have no clue whatsoever.

Also meaning; the book could be completely true, and we would never know.

On that confusing note, (I’ve never done a good job at explaining exactly how I think. My mind is kinda like; “OH! An idea! Yeah! Harry Potter… True… Possible! Mind-erasing! Charms… Works!” And then I have this long list of my thoughts that are entirely illegible and undecipherable.[And on a more confusing note! {Maybe I should split this post in two...}]) this is one trait I am planning to have in my book. Although, this attribute might be lost in series three…

And onto the books themselves! I am planning on writing a couple of series; four to be exact. (Not including the few singles I might publish before and after…) All of them relating to each-other.

Series one; Life of color. Set in 2042 on Dwur U ir Z.

Series two; (Name still being thought over) Territorial War. Set in 968 on Dwur U ir Z.

Series three; Pyromaniacs. Set in 2012 on Earth. ending on year 11 on Dwur U ir Z.

Series Four; Aftermath. Set in 2186 on Dwur U ir Z. Ending on year 2112 on Earth.

Now I’ll bet all of you are wondering; “What in the world is Dwur U ir Z?” With the smarter people saying; “How can two-thousand years pass on Dwur U ir Z but ending up only a hundred or so years later?” With the Einsteins out there; “Wow, they went pretty far.”

Dwur U ir Z is a planet, confined within a dot infinitely small, trapped in time.

I think i’ve spoiled enough. But I’ll give you a little insight to the first book; Zedek Eleveta is a teenage boy living in Scur, Zuir. With his blood red hair, he finds a power beyond his comprehensibility. Forging a lance to keep himself defended, he finds two tragic deaths before him. How will he fight, when an army is running at you full force? The answer?; Nothing.

That’ll keep you thinking until I can think of something better to say on the matter. But for right now, I just want to get this published.

-Zedek Blue (Z)

Kilauea at sunset

Photographs of brilliant orange lava flowing from the Big Island into the Pacific Ocean are abundant in most Hawai’i travel books. But since the sky is rarely as blue, the forest hardly ever as green as full-color glossy photos make them seem, we didn’t expect to witness Hawai’i’s land development in tangerine, molten lava force. We ended up driving right to it.

The viewing site, operated by Hawai’i County, places visitors what feels about a mile or so from the location where lava enters the Pacific. Open from 5pm-10pm (last car in at 8pm), the site requires a short hike over hardened lava.

Punalu'u Black Sand Beach: When molten lava flows into the cold ocean, it hardens and can shatter. This process creates the black sand beaches found throughout Hawai'i.

After a visit to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, where we learned both geology and myth, we set out at the viewing site with rain jackets and flashlights. In daylight, massive plumes of smoke rise where lava enters the ocean.

An orange glow illuminated the billowing cloud as the sun dipped. And when twilight turned to blackness, lava sputtered into a haze where crashing waves merged with the smoke. Scattered spots of orange, the path of lava traveling toward the ocean, showed on the hillside like a rain forest lizard weaving its way down through dark underbrush.

For current eruption info on Kilauea check out these sites:

USGS Eruption Updates: Kilauea
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/kilaueastatus.php

USGS Hawai’i Volcano Observatory
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/observatory/

National Park Service: Hawai’i Volcanoes
http://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm

just watched 500 Days Of Summer. wowy. i loves it =D to be honest, i didn’t want it to end, but, i guess everything has to end at some point. at least, all the good things do, the bad things kinda just die down for a while…

now i wanna spend the night watching chick-flicks and rom-coms. how gay. i want some maltesars as well… and a cuppa tea…

wowy i feel blue tonight… sad sad times. this is exactly the reason why I shouldn’t think. I make a much better air head! right now, im snuggled up in bed actually physically completely sat down under my covers, its cosy, its kinda like a tent. what makes this realy realy crazy awesome is that I have my lava lamp on so everything around me is kinda glowing red.

wowy i just had the creepiest thought, now i dont wanna come out from under these covers… ill say what I thought, but then you’re probably all gonna think im totally ridiculous or something. basically, i though that their could be all these crazy ass monsters waiting around my bed waiting until i come out so they can kill me or torture me or something. :S one thing that realy doesnt help this is the fact the lights outside of under here actually change because, you know, the lava moves.

buuuuurrrrrrggggghhhhhhh. damnit its only half nine. also, note to self, water plant tomorrow. itll die otherwise, and i dont wanna lose it. it always cheers me up in the morning.

one of my Guinnea Pigs slept most of today, and by lunch time when I hadnt seen her move, i started to get realy worried she was dead or something, apparently shes ok though =D

oh yeah, another thing, WELL DONE KEV!!!! super stoked and mega proud of ya for passing =D

wow taylor swifts songs seem so depressing now… they used to make me so happy :S

either way, i love her. <3

im off now.

blog ya later.

xo.

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America National Country Flag – 3 foot by 5 foot Polyester (New)
Dont Tread on Me Gadsden Flag – 3×5 foot Polyester Yellow
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Welche Insel ist damit genau gemeint? Genau: La Palma. Die Bilder sind rund um den St. Antonio (bei Fuencaliente), dem größten Krater im Süden der Kanaren-Insel, entstanden.

Wo: Fuencaliente, La Palma
Wann: Oktober 2009
Kamera: Fuji FinePix S7000

Aloha Everyone,

I’m way behind on my updates and new photo uploading. I’m adding this update ahead of others. Yesterday at the current lava flows the last remaining structure was finally destroyed by the lava. The flow broke out about two weeks ago and I have been tracking it ever since. This flow has been slow moving but, it has methodically covered most everything in its path. Last week I was out there exploring and a small flow started threatening the cabin. So, I ended up staying out from Tues night to Sunday morning. I hiked out twice to restock my supplies. The shelterpods owner has been very gracious over the past year and a half allowing me and others to use his place for shelter. It was like my lava flow home. I spent many full moon nights on the deck watching the lava flows. A friend called me on 11-03-09 in the morning to say the flow was only 60′ away and I’d better get out there. I live 2 1/2 hours away in Holualoa. So, I got going and hoped for the best. We all wanted the cabin to survive but, if it had to go I wanted to be there. As luck would have it, a narrow lobe of lava passed by the corner missing it by 6″s before I arrived. Then rain moved in to cool it. Once I arrived in Kalapana I then ran across the lava flow to the shelterpod with my heavy pack on my back. Its only about 1 mile+. I arrived with 40 minutes to spare. Even as the lava once again began to flow under the shelterpod it resisted burning quite well. But, it was no match the the intense heat. There are over 100 images of the event showing the progression from beginning to end. It lasted about 40 minutes starting at 12:30pm. Use the slide show option. The sheet metal roof might lay there until another flow comes along and bury’s it. The couch was spared by me for comfortable viewing.

Visit the gallery here 11-03-09 shelterpod Destruction

More updates coming from my previous hikes along with some publishing news!

Aloha,
Bryan Lowry
lavapix.com

All text and images are copyright protected ©Bryan Lowry/lavapix.com. Use without my permission is prohibited.

Kaulana Manu (“safe haven for birds”) is a marvel of nature. Along the Saddle Road of Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island), it is an oasis of vegetation in the middle of a former lava flow, or a kipuka. This raw and rugged ecosystem is special in many ways—boasting a diverse population of native plants and trees, it’s home to native forest birds whose habitats have otherwise been threatened or destroyed.

Through the effort of Na Ala Hele Hawaiʻi Island volunteers, Kaulana Manu is being restored to its natural, thriving state. Volunteer work might include removing invasive plants or maintaining sections of trail. Stay posted to find out what’s happening at Kaulana Manu throughout November, and in the meantime check out the Kaulana Manu website.

Wie auf Teneriffa ist auch die Vegetation auf La Palma sehr abwechslungsreich.

Wo: La Palma
Wann: Oktober 2009
Kamera: Fuji FinePix S7000

by Donald B. MacGowan

The Justly Famous Green Sand Beach at South Point, Hawaii: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Whether you visit the Big Island for a few days, a couple weeks or a few months, you want to make the most of your time in Paradise. With such a wide variety of natural and commercial attractions, it is natural for the visitor to get a little overwhelmed in the “Option Overload” and not be able to make a balanced and informed decision on what they want to do and how best to spend their time.

On the Green Sand Beach, South Point, Hawaii: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Even choosing which beach you want to spend time on, or where you want to hike can be an exercise in confusion and conflicting advice.  Clearly, visitors to Hawaii could use help making quality decisions about how best to spend their time.

Hawaii's Green Sand Beach at South point in the afternoon: Photo by Donnie MacGowan

Tour Guide Hawaii is excited and proud to announce the release of their new GPS/WiFi enabled App for iPhone and iPod that helps you navigate your trip to Hawaii with hours of informative, location-aware video and information. Although our video guide will lead you to dozens of unusual, untamed and unspoiled spots, let’s look at a hike you might have heard about, but might not be able to find from maps and guidebooks and would otherwise miss if you did not have Tour Guide Hawaii’s new App.

Everett Maynard, Co-Founder of Tour Guide Hawaii, Hikes to the Green Sand Beach: Photo by Donnie MacGowan

South Point’s Justly Famous Green Sand Beach Hike; Papakolea Bay and Mahana Beach, Hawaii

Looking down on the green Sand Beach at South Point Hawaii: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Absolutely unique to the island of Hawai’i, beautiful and strange, are the handful of green sand beaches composed of crystals of the semi-precious mineral olivine (also known as peridot). The green sand beach at South Point is the best known, largest and most accessible of these.

The Amazing Green Sand Beach, South Point, Hawaii: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

To get there, turn left onto a signed, patchy-paved and dirt road immediately when you arrive in the Ka Lae area following signs to the Kaulana Boat Launch. Proceed down the road and park just to the left (south) of the boat launch, where there is a dirt road that leads to the green sand beach. The road has a gate which is sometimes locked as the road primarily provides access for hiking, ATVs or mountain biking: private vehicles are, ostensibly, prohibited but are becoming more and more common—this is the reason for the multiplicity of washed out tracks.

The two-track leading to the Green Sand Beach at South Point, Hawaii is perfect for mountain biking: Photo by Donnie MacGowan!

We suggest you walk—it’s more enjoyable and it saves wear and tear on a delicate ecosystem.

Severe erosion and deeply rutted roads result from ignorant tourists driving acros the plains...these ruts are larger than many cars! : Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Hiking distance is 2 ¼ miles each way along rolling tropical prairie (and if you cannot envision that, you really need to do this hike). Despite the multiplicity of dirt roads, you really cannot get lost as you are never out of sight of the shore. Road conditions along the road to the beach vary dramatically from week to week and the road becomes impassable with even a gentle rain; this is another reason we do not suggest drive but rather enjoy the short, pleasant hike.

Hikers returning from the Green Sand Beach, South Point, Hawaii: Photo by Donnie MacGowan

About mid-way you begin to see the far side of the cone, out of which the bay has been eroded, poke up above the rolling grassland.

When you reach the end of the trail, you are a hundred or so feet above the beach on the rim of the remnant of the crater. There is a weather-beaten, old sign about 100 feet from the crater rim that directs you to the path down. Look closely for the faint track to scramble safely and easily to the beach (there is occasionally a blue trash barrel to mark this spot, but always there is a cairn of rocks). There is one sort of tricky spot where you have to inch your way over a 3-foot ledge, but almost anybody from senior to child can negotiate the hike to the beach.

Sound Advice to Visitor's...don't scratch messages in the canyon walls and don't take the sand! : Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

One can also easily scramble down from the middle (easternmost) of the cone using a set of stairs, but this can be slippery at the best of times—even dangerous if wet. Although tricky to spot on the way down, from the beach looking up the way back to the crater rim is easy to follow.

Hiking the cinder cone onto the Green Sand Beach at South Point, Hawaii: Photo by Donnie MacGowan

Close up of the sand from the Green Sand Beach, Hawaii: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

The sand grains on this beach are formed from olivine crystals weathering out of the lava and cinders from the cone over an eruptive vent that has been partially breached by the sea. The beach lies in the interior of the cone, and the somewhat protected cove formed by the remnant of the cone makes for a wonderful swimming/snorkeling spot.

Olivine Phenocrysts In Hawaiian Basalt...the source of the sand at Green Sand Beach, South Point, Hawaii: Photo by Donnie MacGowan

Happy bathers getting wet at the Green Sand Beach, Hawaii: Photo by Donnie MacGowan

Swimming, snorkeling and surfing are delightful within the confines of the bay. Be very wary of rip tides and ocean currents; do not go out far nor in at all if the surf is high or there are strong winds. The bizarre color of the water shrieks for color photographs, particularly underwater photographs taken while snorkeling.

Boogie Boarders at the Green Sand Beach at South Point, Hawaii: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

No water is available anywhere along the hike or at the beach–be sure to take at least two liters of water per hiker for drinking.  If you plan on swimming, you may wish to take an extra liter or two of water to rinse hair and torso, as well as a dry change of clothes.  It’s miserable hiking in wet clothes with salty skin.

About half-way through the hike you begin to see the top of the cone out of which the bay holding the Green Sand Beach has been carved: Photo by Donnie MacGowan

There are no services. At all. None. And a goodly long way to drive to get to any…plan and act accordingly.

Frank Burgess--just another day at work at Tour Guide Hawaii--hiking to the Green Sand Beach at South Point, Hawaii: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

To see the new iPhone/iPod Touch App, please visit http://www.tourguidehawaii.com/iphone.html. The best of Tour Guide Hawaii’s free content about traveling to, and exploring, the Big island, can be found here. For more information on traveling to Hawaii in general and on touring the Big Island in particular, please also visit www.tourguidehawaii.com and www.tourguidehawaii.blogspot.com.

We do not recommend you try this, it takes courage skill and timing--as well as strong swimming skills to return to the beach...Green Sand Beach, Hawaii: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Eric Carr heads home after another day at the office at Tour Guide Hawaii...South Point, Hawaii: Photo by Donnie MacGowan

Copyright 2009 by Donald B. MacGowan. All rights reserved.

People don’t say ‘what’s up?’ here. Or even ‘how are you?’ This isn’t universally true and I run with a pretty international crowd so things are different with us. But the people here, the English, have this greeting that I’m still not into. I actually first heard it in Tokyo while living with a guy from Stoke, Matt. “Are you alright?” He would always ask- in the kitchen, ‘You alright?’ in the hall, ‘Yeah you alright?’ on the stairs, ‘Yaright?’. I was fine, totally fine. What had he heard? Did people think I had been sick? Did I look pale? just disheveled? It dawned on me pretty quickly, days later?, that this was his ‘what’s up?’ This was his ‘hey how’s it going?’

I’m sure it was funny for my ESL students when I spent the beginning of a few classes insisting they ask each other what was up. ‘There’s nothing up, just the sky, clouds…’ they might have wondered to each other after leaving class. I loved that in Thai, the greeting was nothing to do with health or well being but with eating- ‘Have you eaten yet?’ Literally ‘Have you eaten rice yet?’ Usually I had, and people were always happy to hear it.

I’m trying to resist speaking British. I don’t say ‘cheers’ instead of thanks. I won’t use an upwardly inflected ‘then’ at the end of a sentence to turn it into a question.  I don’t say ‘bits-and-bobs’ even though I’d love to.  I don’t think math should have an ’s’ on the end of it, in the same way that I didn’t study ‘biologies’ or ‘Englishes.’

Still circumstances do force me to talk a bit of Blimey though- we don’t have homework or projects, we have ‘coursework’. I am not in a program but a ‘course.’ I don’t have classmates but ‘course-mates.’ I guess I’m just saying ‘course’ a lot more now.

I’m going to refuse to say ‘you alright?’ though, unless I am under the impression that someone had recently been NOT alright. That’s when I say, ‘are you alright?’ Like at the World Cup 2006, when my friend Joe dove headfirst over a wall(an inflatable wall, but another story)frontward flipping, completely upside-down his back bending as it hit a metal pole and his head hitting the concrete. I think we are all screaming, cursing, when we should asked if he was alright.

OH man, I missed a day of blog. Totally slipped my mind as I did homework last night. I think I’ve sacrificed quality for all this quantity. And being in a not-so-foreign land, its not as easy as pointing at nearly anything and seeing differences, blog worthy stuff. But I march on, do I look alright?