Basics
Friendly native welcomes Dennis to Hawaii.
Perhaps she is trying to curry favor with me, to keep disaster from her people.
I hear that some African tribes have a god of smallpox, who is worshipped to keep him away.
The condo had all the conveniences, including a microwave oven with presets to cook almost anything!
Here's a shot of the beach across from the condo in the evening.
Haleakala
A popular tourist activity is driving to the top of Haleakala, a dormant volcano. Some brave souls take the long and tiring hike down into the crater.Dennis had a different idea - let some horses do all the work. This trip was through Pony Express (http://www.ponyexpresstours.com). Our trail guide was Ra, as in the ancient Egyptian sun god.
Well, lookie there!
It's prospector Dennis!
The crater floor is the middle of nowhere!
Flying Over Hana
Another popular tourist activity is to drive the long, narrow winding road to Hana. Some people are disappointed by Hana itself. They fail to realize that the drive is the thing!Dennis decided that he wanted to see Hana from the air. This trip was through Hang Gliding Maui (http://www.hangglidingmaui.com).
This is an ultralight "trike". Think of a cross between a hang-glider, a lawn chair, and a lawn mower.
With all the accessories (including ballistically-deployed parachute), it costs about $60k.
Ready to fly, it weighs 500 pounds.
The engine is a Rotax 912, 4 stroke engine with silencer kit.
All aboard!
The guy in the white and red flight suit is pilot Armin Engert.
As you would expect, Dennis wears black.
And up we go!
For legal reasons, the flight is described as a flying lesson, but Armin did all of the tough stuff.
Dennis did actually get to operate the controls.
"OK, Dennis, see that big cloud out there? Aim for that!"
There isn't really a control stick.
You go right, left, up, and down by grabbing control bars that are attached to the wing - and shoving.
It doesn't take much; the trike is very responsive!
Look at the colors of that ocean!
We just came out of a cloud. Note that the engine has been shut off - the propeller is still.
With no engine noise and vibration, the ride is smooth and quiet.
Helmet open, you can see that it really is Dennis in there.
Underwater
Dennis also did some snorkeling...
Them's good eatin'!
