Haikou
Outside Haikou was a volcano park, and, not expecting much, I still
veered in that direction. According to geologists, the last eruption
occurred roughly 13,000 years ago. One could hike up to the old
crater rim, which overlooked the countryside. The crater rim revealed
a view of more craters in the distance, said to be almost 36 in total.
The nearby Rongtang village was far more exciting: a historic, lava-
rock community built entirely from volcanic rock. The town was
constructed roughly 900 years ago. Rongtang was largely abandoned,
but a few elders live in this unique historic settlement. Surprisingly,
the area still had old lava tunnels. A 90-year-old lady (all bent over)
offered to show me the tunnels. So, we set out, homemade torch in
hand (bamboo, cloth and paraffin). Many of these caves were
interconnected and were used as hiding places from the Japanese
during the war.
Haikou
The days came and went, and I hung around the hostel, not doing a
great deal. A crowd from the Hash House Harriers (primarily
Australians) were in town for their annual get-together - they were a
pleasant bunch.
There was little one could do about losing a lens cover but saunter
downtown to find another one. The stroll was a pleasant one through
the old quarters and city park. The parks were large and lush and
provided plenty of water, making them peaceful places to stroll and
watch people do Tai-chi. The pavements were lined with hawkers,
selling colourful umbrellas, steaming pots of corn-on-the-cob, and
rice in banana leaves.