Some shots from the Philippines

Coral polyps

Blue Sea Star

Clown Anemone fish

Coral head

Tube Coral

Sea Cucumber

Giant Clam

Devilfish

Nudibranch

Bubble coral with Orangutan Crab

Pufferfish

Frogfish

Frogfish

Stonefish

Frogfish

View from the outrigger during a break between dives.

Frogfish

Whale Shark!!!

Jos and Ron enjoying a beer after the day's dives.

Whale Shark feeding on a snack of chum

Nudibranch via Jos

Ornate Ghost fish via Jos

Shrimp via Jos

Amazing kitchen staff at Magic Island Resort.

Jo, the Dive Manager.

Pygmy Seahorse via Jos.

Mantis Shrimp via Jos

Mandarin fish via Jos

Some shots from Little Cayman, Feb. 2013

I love how the orange coral sponge is wrapped around the star coral.

Bob and the friendly Grouper. This fish followed him on the entire dive.

Red Sponge with a tip of it bleached.

Nassau Grouper at a cleaning station.

Brittle Sea Star in a barrel/tube sponge.

John, Tanya, Don (local from Grand Cayman) and us.

Days 23 & 24: Goodbye Hawaii

Our last two days in Hawaii. Day 23 was spent enjoying service at the Paradise Park Church of the Nazarene. After the service, we were treated to a lunch on the grounds and then everyone was involved in writing their second essay. Their first essay was written at the military camp a few days before. So for those of us not involved in this aspect, we relaxed until everyone was done. We got back to the camp and did the squaring away of luggage and final check because we would be leaving the next day. Day 24 was just filled with travel. Catching a small flight from Hilo to Honolulu then from Honolulu to Houston and Houston to Boston. Since we would be traveling all day, the students were given their third essay to finish.

As aways, I'm sadden to leave and head back to reality. I've enjoyed the time experiencing God's creation and hanging out with Doc, Twining, and the Everetts. I could have done without some of the childness, shelfishness, and intitledment displayed by some of the college students. Unless they have a trust fund waiting for them or marry someone rich, they will have a rude awaking when they head out into the real world. It always amazes me how people can be so shallow and stupid even when faced with the beauty of the creation. I just want to slap people at times and say "Wake up! Look around you. Experience this! Learn as much as you can because you never know if you will ever get another opportunity like this again!"

So until the next adventure, Mahalo Doc for another awesome trip!

Day 22: Keanakako'i, Napau trail, Helina Pali, Kaupaianaha Lava Shield

We stopped at Keanakako'i, Cave of the adz. The old Hawaiian's use to use the dense basalt to made adz (vertical axe) which was then used to hallow out canoes. The area is a collapsed feature on the NE rift zones.

We then hiked the Napau Trail. We walked along a prehistoric cinder cone callled Pu'u Huluhulu. From the top of the cone you can see Makaopuhi, the largest pit crater which is 1 mile wide and 500 feet deep. You can also see Pu'u'o'o, a fuming cinder cone. Also viewed Mauna Ulu, which erupted between 1969-1974. It produced enough lava to cover 17 sq. miles and some of the lava reached the ocean.

 

We then stopped at Helina Palie, which is a 1500' fault scarp. The by is riding on the headwall of the scarp. The cliff formed due to volcanic eruptions. Lava flows over the palie and speeds up on the way to the ocean and will break up forming skylights along the way. Earthquakes can cause laba benches to drop drastically.

 

After some downtime, we headed out to Kupaianaha Lava shield. Since it was nice time, we were able to see where the lava was flowing due to the skylights along the path. It was interesting to think back that a few days before we were walking right over where this was taking place. After viewing the lava, we enjoyed just looking at the night sky and all the stars that were out and about. While picking out constellations, we were treated to a few meteorids. Hearing the waves crash along the shoreline, the peeping of the tree frogs and smelling the scents of the flowers made for a very relaxing and enjoyable night.