11-2-13

Martin: It's not cloud but smoke from the bushfires around Sydney. This was taken in the north of Sydney where I was working. We had to switch the lights on inside and the smell was obviously from burning gums. Black ash was falling out of the sky along with whole charred leaves, yet the closest fire was around twenty-five kilometres away. Strong gusty winds helped spread the fires rapidly and hundreds of homes were destroyed just outside of Sydney. We have had very little rainfall throughout most of the winter months leading into spring which means a lot of dead undergrowth. It's not even the official start of the bushfire season so it looks like an interesting summer ahead.

 Me: WaipioValley.

We hiked in Waipio Valley today. Once to the main parking area it took some creative driving to get everyone a couple more miles to the trailhead.

We were quite a crew going on this adventure! Kimo's twin nephews picked the hike and were our local guides.

Thank goodness they took good care of us...it was a jungle out there! :-)

A gorgeous jungle!

 We crossed a stream.

 More than one.

 We climbed over rocks...

until we arrived at this fun swimming hole!

 Sometimes there is a waterfall flowing but it's been too dry.

Our group had lunch and a few (like Bob) jumped off the cliffs.

What a cool place!

After the hike Kimo's mom and dad brought food to the beach for everyone.

Black sand beach by the way. Very fine, powdery and soft.
We all had a great day!