Exploring The Big Island of Hawaii

Friday the 4th of October was the tour day. We aimed for the Cook monument located at Kealakekua Bay where he died during a quarrel with the locals year 1779. What we did not know was that it is quite difficult to get to the monument itself. No access via car and the only way possible is narrow and steep foot path. Since we have have one leaping companion with us then the hike was out of the question. Instead we explored the sights from a nearby bay - could barely see the monument :) At the bay there were about 30 triathletes training, they took the path to the monument through the water - they swam :) And as far as we could tell they had come there by bikes. Hopefully they did not need to bike all the way up the steep hills to get home.

Kealakekua bay - Cook monument in the distance

By wondering around the winding roads here we made our way to the painted church. Roads off the highway are quite narrow and winding which makes the driving around quite slow. It seems to us that the locals just drive very slow around here in general, I guess that's what happens when you mostly drive on those narrow paths. And as there are so many athletes running and biking on the roads it is understandable I guess, but just difficult to get used to :)

Painted church up on the mountain

Locals know to say that this is one of the coolest years in a long time for the Ironman. And yes, today as well the temperature is just 29C in the shade :) As it is raining on and off then luckily it does not get much over 30. Rain does not make the air any cooler though, it is just nice to get sprinkled on. Weather forecast is promising warmer weather in a week where temperatures will get above 30C. Humidity is currently around 75% and any breeze that we find is greeted with much delight.

Sun sets at 18 every single day and then ultimate darkness arrives