Introduction to today's journey
HAWAII'S remoteness isolated in the middle of the North Pacific Ocean gives it some of the clearest skies in the world. Atop the great volcano of Mauna Kea, over four kilometres above sea level and over ten kilometres above the mountain's base, sit an array of impressive telescopes. From here many scientific observations of outer space are made, the best achieved without having to send the instruments up into outer space. The telescopes sit on top of the Martian landscape of volcanic rock operating largely by remote control most nights.
Today's journey leaves Kailua Kona in the small hours of the morning crossing the island to a saddle between the two great mountains of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. From there I head up to an information centre from where I look at the amazing stars on an acclimatisation stop. Once acclimatised, I head up to the observatories at the top of Mauna Kea to watch the sunrise. After sunrise I return to Kailua Kona to explore the town and the area where Captain James Cook was murdered over two centuries ago.
Today's Journey
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