When the hell is the train coming?

One of the unforseen consequences of hawaiian lifestyle is that it slowly turns you into a outdoor-person. You know one of those people who insist on wearing hiking boots and Fjällräven clothing even though they are just going to the grocery store. If you confront them with their silly choise of clothing, they cheerily answer; "Always be prepared my boy, always be prepared" whilst giving you the boyscout salute. Now I still wear my flip flops to the grocery store, which I suppose indicates im not yet a true convert, but it obvious im heading straight for hippiedom. No two ways about it. This weekend my outdoor-fix came in the shape of the Kokohead trail close to Hawaii Kai. The trail is an old railway that used to bring supplies to the outlook bunker on top of the Kokohead mountain. The view is truly impressive, and you almost dont regret going all the way up. The bunker used to serve as an American lookout designed to give first warning if the Japanese attacked. Turns out though that when the Japanese actually did come knocking, they came from THE OTHER side of the island and went completely undetected. Sneaky bastards.The good thing about the Kokohead trail is that it is very compact. 1042 steps I think it is. Its insanely steep though, and really just kicks your ass if youre not in shape. One of the Americans by the name of Owen earned my eternal respect by climbing the mountain hungover out of his mind. He spilled his guts 9 times on the way up, and went straight to sleep as we reached the summit. Just before he passed out he looked down the rails and whispered: "When the hell is the train coming?".






After hiking back down we went to the legendary Sandy Beach. Sandy is very popular among both tourists and locals. The tourists love it because of its wide and white sands. The locals love it beacause of its killer beach surf. The waves at Sandy are huge, and they break right on the shore meaning you'll get catapulted straight into the ground from 3 meters up. No water, no mercy. Quite a few people have broken their necks on the Sandy surf. Soon as I went in I noticed that the underwater currents at Sandy are no joke. When they want to go out you are coming with them and vice verca. The game then consists of catching a wave with your body, much as you would do with a surfboard, and then "bodysurfing" the wave into the tube. I tried and it felt like being in a tumble dryer for 30 seconds. You have no idea whats up and down, and I was real happy that I had my arms straightened as I came tumbeling head first into the sand. The pictures unfortunately dont do the surf justice, but take my word for it. It was scary.