It is mid February in Deutschland and today it is genuinely trying to winter. Since 7 this morning fat white flakes, like dandruff from that creepy uncle who hugs just a little too long, have been falling without a break. Up until this point the weather has been mild and I would almost consider it warm. Gasp! yes I said winter weather was warm. What has happened to me? Has the German finally took over my island blood? Yes, but not completely, I still long for the sunny beaches but more so the hikes and adventures I would get into on the Rock. I’ve been spending the last few hours going through some photos from 2014, I can’t believe it’s been almost two years, and thought I should share some shots from hikes past. The two hikes in particular are the Lani Kai Pillboxes and Pali Puka, both which I did with my lovely friend Mar.
Pali Puka
Pali Puka is a short albeit strenuous hike. The hike is practically completely vertical with very few breaks of even ground. Not only is it physically demanding but it also challenges mental strength because a good portion of the hike is on a ridge with a steep cliff on one side and overgrown forest on the other. It can be particularly scary when the rocks are wet or when the wind picks up, which is often for the Pali. Regardless of the danger we made our way up to the Puka (hole) and were treated with a spectacular view of the windward side. Oh how I miss those views.
Pillboxes
The Pill boxes are a completely different type of hike. What make this hike strenuous is it’s total exposure to the sun. There is absolutely not shade until you reach the concrete structure at the end, and that’s usually closed off. For the most part It’s a nice gradual hike with a few steeper parts, but definitely doable for those not in the best condition. A huge downside is the popularity of this hike, which isn’t the problem, but the trash it creates is. One will see empty plastic bags, bottles, and other trash throughout the hike. Regardless the view of Lanikai beach and neighborhood aren’t too marred by the rubbish around.