This is Part II of the Trek From Mayoyao to Batad article.  If you haven’t already seen Part I, check it out here.

I had been in Southeast Asia for 5 months.  I had hired guides to summit Mt. Merapi volcano on Java and for Orangutan Trekking in Sumatra.  I had volunteered doing construction with locals in Payatas and everyone I had come in contact with wore slippers (flip flops).  The toughest jobs where people in the Western world would be required to lace up steel toes,  SE Asians, wore slippers.
I …

I will let the pictures do the majority of the talking.
An hour bus ride from Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia is the volcano, Mt. Merapi.  It is one of the world’s most active volcanoes and fatally erupted as recent as 2006.
The climb began at midnight for a grueling up hill, 4 hours of climbing and scrambling.  The sunrise views were simply breathtaking.
Truly stunning beauty and amazing views.  Hiking tour groups can easily be arranged from the cultural Javanese city of Yogyakarta where there are an abundance of agencies.  Finding a group of …

2 April 2009
1.  Hike to the Makapu’u Lighthouse
Its not a difficult hike, but the views are stunning, and there is a possibility of seeing humpback whales (check out Hike to the Makapu’u Lighthouse).
2.  Kailua Beach
Great beach to relax on, swim, and have a picnic.
3.  North Shore
World class surfing, great places to swim, and some good snorkeling, all found on the North Shore.
4.  Climb Koko Head Crater
Great exercise and great views of the island (check out Koko Head Crater Hike).

5.  Shave Ice
Whether it be Waiola or Matsumoto, one must indulge in …

Koko Head Crater is a cone volcano located in the Hawaii Kai area close to Honolulu, Hawaii on the island of Oahu.  The steep formation of the mountain allows for a short but tiring hike to the top offering incredible views along the way.

An abandoned railway tram track formerly used to transport goods to the military bunkers on top now acts as a convenient path straight up the side of Koko Head crater.

We began by parking the car at the Koko Head Park in Hawaii Kai, Honolulu.  If you park here you need to navigate around …

The hike to Makapu’u lighthouse is really more of a leisurely stroll, yet it reveals breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean on the South shore of Oahu, Hawaii.
Here are few tips about climbing to the scenic Makapu’u lighthouse point:

Takes about half an hour to the top
Walk is on paved path almost like a road
Makapu’u Lighthouse is at the summit
Top viewpoint offers incredible views over the Pacific Ocean
The deep blue waters are a Humpback whale sanctuary

On our hike we were lucky enough to see two Humpback whales, gliding through the …