Day 6:

Click here to see map.

We picked Mikela up from Jill's research "farm" and too off for South Point.

There is a research lab, a greenhouse and a beautiful home and guest house.  Jill gives local talks on native plants.  

We used the 4 x 4 capabilities of our vehicle to enter as far as we could, but rough terrain prevented us from going all the way to Green Beach.  We had to walk in along the coast.  As you peruse the next group of photos, consider the remote nature, the color contrasts, the choppy ocean, and realize that this is the southernmost point of the United States.  We walked in for about an hour and a half.  Finally, we get to this unique and pristine location. Very windy during this portion of our tour!  Look on the map to see where we went--Ka Lae.

The camera, again, does not capture the green sand, but it definitely was.  This is due to the mineral Olivine.  There are only two such beaches in the world.

Good opportunity to make a phone call.  Could anyone imagine where the call is coming from?

The walk is long, so we begin the trek back to our vehicle.  

Hope you enjoyed the waves as much as we did.  We were mesmerized!  As we left Ka Lae, we drove around the horn and found this much calmer cliffs area with a beautiful public beach (surrounded by private land though!). 

Now we drive toward highway 11 and stopped off to visit Earth Song, another place that Mikela had lived during her stay on the big island.  The landscape had changed drastically within a short time. 

Notice the Mac nut trees.  We bought a few pounds of raw nuts ($8-10/lb).

Liconas feed the goats greens...kids do eat greens!

Rebeca finds out where pineapples come from.

A reflective moment.

Mikela is back there somewhere.

...and Kandy finds out where bananas come from.

We drove north toward Kona and stopped at Bong Brothers to pick up some Mac nuts, avacados and papayas to eat on the beach as we awaited our sixth sunset.  Ho`okena Beach Park was a black sand beach.  Many people had camps with tents and all were awaiting the sunset too.

To view day seven, click on it in the left frame.