Kilauea crater

Kilauea has been erupting, in some form, for decades. Just my luck that when I get there, after having seen the largish eruption in March (or May), it all quietens down. Lava stopped running into the sea, causing huge billowing clouds of steam and eerie glow at night. Now the vulcanologists are just waiting for the pressure to be released. Until then the lava level in the main Kilauea crater is steadily rising.

Shame we couldn't get any closer than this, the crater is huge. Off to the side of Kilauea is Hawaii's own little Uluru, and possibly more spectacular. It was created in 36-72 hours from constant eruption from a side fissure,

Saw it all in a day, it was just a shame there was no late night lava viewing of the lava hitting the salt water not far from the black sand beaches. I guess I can live through the experiences of others on Youtube. Was back in Honolulu for part of a day before flying out and I made it my mission hunt down an elusive Australian delight which I was surprised to find in a far from authentic Australian themed restaurant chain...

Then it was off to the airport (to collect my luggage with big thanks going out to Dr Bob at Aloha Airport Delivery & Storage for reliably looking after my stuff. You can't locker anything in any USA airport since 9/11) to head to Vancouver. I didn't sleep a wink.