Up and out by 09:30 we drove to Naalehu so I could make an international call to my brother before time got on. My brain, however, had been disengaged and I forgot that there was a requirement for me to dial +44 or 0044 instead of just 44. Doh! The call was unsuccessful.
As we approached Hilo my mobile telephone found a signal and a network enabling me to easily make contact with the other side of the world.
My sister in law and my brother were delighted to hear from me and in no time at all I managed to convey to them my newly decided plan. It was only a couple of hours later that I realised I hadn't expressed my excitement at seeing them again, just that I needed my brother's help to make my plan work.
Ian disappeared to get a new journal book and some more, yes more, films for me while I wrote some more of my journal. Some considerable time later he emerged from Walmart with the goods, demanding chocolate covered raisins. We then had a brief wander around the Harley Davidson shop before going to Hilo International Airport to enquire about helicopter flights over the Kilauea volcano.
We booked ourselves onto a 30 minute flight for tomorrow and then took lunch in Hilo. The sun was shining today in the wettest city of the United States of America and the combination of blue skies and no rain meant it was pretty hot at sea level! While booking the air tour I had another spell of incoherence. I couldn't spell my name and struggled to convey to Ian that I was having difficulty getting my words out again. I mumbled about maybe being dehydrated again but I was able to function normally in all other associated areas, except that I felt the onset of a headache.
We journeyed west and elevated to 3,000 feet in the process and as we entered Hawaii Volcanoes National Park it began to cool and rain fell. At this point we wanted to pitch our tent but we waited a while in the hope that the rain would cease and move away from the campsite. We waited for nearly an hour but the rains didn't reduce let alone cease. Reluctantly we left Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and for the second time today we headed east to Hilo.
We tried to find some accommodation in Pahoa and Kuaau but didn't have any luck so in view of our helicopter flight from Hilo tomorrow we took residence in the Wild Ginger Inn and booked tomorrow's night stay in the Dolphin Bay Hotel. Within seconds of checking in at the Wild Ginger Inn I was bitten by a mosquito three times.
My headache had finally subsided at about 20:00.
We had a very tasty meal at Cafe Pesto before retiring early for the night.
From Waiohinu to Hilo we travelled 197 miles today.
Copyright 2003 Helen Fuller. All rights reserved.