wiping the sweat off my brow, I stopped to take in the W beauty around me.
Surrounded by lush green plants and a fresh water stream, it was just another day in paradise.
A keen volleyball player, I'd moved to Hawaii a year earlier to attend a uni where they had an excellent beach volleyball program.
I'd met some incredible friends along the way, including my boyfriend, Isaac, then 20.
When I wasn't studying or competing, my friends and I loved exploring the tropical rainforests that surrounded the island.
So one day in February 2016, when my friend Austin invited me to hike the Ka'au
Crater Trail in Honolulu, I jumped at the chance.
Isaac was on a road trip so it was perfect timing.
Together with four of his friends - Jack, Dan, Carson and Mali - Austin and I were excited to tackle the challenging track. We'd see three waterfalls, and a volcanic crater.
Spanning over eight kilometres, there were no steps on the trail - just muddy paths formed on the
rock face by other hikers.
The journey was not for the faint-hearted.
Climbing upstream, we had to clamber
through thick roots and overgrown vegetation.
I hope I don't twist my ankle, I thought, worrying about volleyball.
But I knew the view from the top would be incredible.
Attaching my GoPro camera to my chest, I couldn't wait to show friends the photos.
Finally, after an hour and a half, we stopped for our final rest before reaching the peak.
I'm going to check it out,' Austin said excitedly.
I'll join you,' I replied, keen to see the top.
Racing up the last stretch, I felt elated as I walked over to the edge of the final waterfall and turned on my camera.
Denne historien er fra September 22, 2022-utgaven av That's Life Magazines.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 22, 2022-utgaven av That's Life Magazines.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
MUM'S DEADLY PLEA: I NEED YOU TO SHOOT HIM
As a little girl, Mary was forced to do the unthinkable
SAVED BY AN ANGEL
Perihan's sure she drew dark forces into her apartment
Sign here OR ELSE!
Carol trusted her nephew, until a sweet bird sang a familiar tune
MEDI-FILE: THE RIPPLE EFFECT
Josh was determined to stop others with cancer from feeling alone
SPOTLIGHT ON - Matters of the heart
Sudden cardiac arrest is a devastating condition - here we look at some of the facts
CARING FOR THE CARERS
Ronnie wanted to help those who help others
SHAMELESS SCAMS
Some people will do anything for a buck
I live in a RAINBOW HOUSE
Tasha's home is made to brighten up anyone's day
8 ways to reduce your POWER BILLS
With power costs on the rise and warnings to prepare for even more price hikes, this is an issue that's not going away.
Dogs in my yard
Got a problem? Let that's life! readers help! Here's what they had to say about this week's dilemma