Blowholes, caves and beach clean-up

I have been thoroughly enjoying my breakfast each morning - my muesli from home with fresh papaya (and sometimes watermelon). It's a great way to start each morning. 

Normally I'm up and have eaten before anyone else (bar Max), so this gives me time to publish my blog for the day - out by the container, where there is 4G - go for a bit of a walk, and do final preparations for the devotion each day. 

Today, we packed a lunch, and drove south to check out the Mapa 'a Vaia blowholes. The waves come crashing into the sharp rocks, and create high pressure spouts. Very cool!

After that, we headed east to the Anafulu Caves and Beach. They were awesome!!

We ate our picnic lunch outside, then walked inside the caves. This required some ducking, and walking along a sketchy path over the limestone in low light. Fortunately there were ropes to guide. The cave pools were amazing, and the swimming was so much fun. There were stalagmites that had grown up to create chambers, and the stalactites grew down from the ceiling. There were some deep pools with high rock ledges, which many enjoyed jumping from.

Also, Joe had the opportunity to learn how to swim under Max's tutelage, and some snorkelled to see the eels and whatever else was underwater. I should have done the same thing, because I hit my rib into an underwater stalagmite while swimming, and it left me in some pain. 

It was not far from there to the beach, and the weather was beautiful, so our time on the beach was great. There were even a couple of turtles spotted inside the reef. 

After several hours swimming we left, continuing our counter-clockwise travel around the island until we came to the Ha'amonga a Maui - a fascinating rock trillithon - composed of two giant standing stones with a 5 m lintel. It is proposed that the structure was erected in 1200AD and had an astronomical purpose - aligning with the longest and shortest day. We walked to the end of the National Park and came to the water, where the ocean crashed up a little bay. 

Driving around to the North, we came to Manuka, where Max and Co. had built their little chapel 30 years ago. The youth from Touliki, Halaleva and Manuka showed up about 6pm, and we grabbed rubbish sacks and walked towards the beach, picking up rubbish as we went. 

We did this for over an hour, gathering about twenty large bags of cans and plastic wrapping, then returning to the chapel for a time of reflection, prayer and kai. Everybody had a chance to say something, but I was particularly impressed by Ariana's comparison of throwing rubbish to letting sin take hold in our lives. 

After some games and clean up, 

It was a full day, and I was still in a bit of pain, so I was keen to get to bed.