Thursday, June 01, 2006

Diamond, Mine

Sorry for the lack of posts the last couple of days. I typed the one you see here Wednesday morning, but then lost my wireless internet connection and didn't get it back until today. So, read this post as if you were reading it in the past, on Wednesday and all will be right with the universe once again.

Continuing my Hawaiian vacation, I hiked up Diamond Head here on the southeast corner of Oahu yesterday. Diamond Head is a crater formed about 300,000 years ago by an eruption from one of the volcanoes that created the Hawaiian Islands. It has been through a lot, from ancient ceremonies by the island natives worshipping their Wind God to, more recently, a coastal defense system set up by the Federal government to defend Oahu beginning in 1908. It’s now a National Natural Landmark and tourist attraction.

It’s not a particularly difficult climb to the top of Diamond Head, but because of the humidity and altitude, I was breathing hard and pretty sweaty by the time I completed it. This is the second time I’ve done the hike and it’ll be a tradition every time I go to Oahu due to the physical, mental and spiritual rush I get doing it. I think the amount of silence and solitude (aside from the occasional fellow hiker) during the hike, mixed with the altitude, physical exertion, a touch of claustrophobia (a narrow, dimly lit tunnel carved into the crater must be passed through) and beauty make it much more than just another tourist spot. Because I always feel so focused by the time I get to the top, I always make a few wishes when I get there and this time was no different. I’ll let you know when they come true.



















2 Comments:

At 3:17 PM, Mitch said...

That's pretty spectacular! Although, my intense fear of tight spaces would make it almost off limits for me. The view might be worth it, though.
Glad you got out of shantyville!

 
At 3:28 PM, jefbot said...

yeah, the physical fatigue from the hike, the fear from claustrophobia, the thin air from the altitude and the exhilaration of getting to the top all combine to form a transcendent experience.

 

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