As an Australian National Park and a World Heritage Site, Lord Howe Island has a very ecologically aware populace and has stopped the extinction threat on several bird species by maintaining near virgin forest over much of the island. The island seems to be trying not to concentrate goods and services in a central town, but rather to have shops and houses here and there so that driving is kept to a minimum. Much of the island is not accessible by road and no new roads are being built, nor are some washed out roads being repaired. Not long after leaving the southern tip of Lord Howe, our trolling lures sang out with a double hookup that proved to be a pair of fighting Ahi in the 15 kilo range. Four hours later dinner consisted of lomi lomi ahi, ahi poke, ahi nigiri sushi and pan broiled ahi steaks with salad and oyster sauce broccoli.
Life is tough.
Back to Ball's Pyramid-this majestic spire could only be referred to as the Matterhorn of the South Pacific. Truly the property of myriads of sea birds, this 500 meter pinnacle was beautifully colored in green, black, gray and earth tones. I chose to dive over and have a look below the water and am truly glad I did because this is the first time I have dived in a place where I was the attraction. I had an entourage of beautiful fish following me as soon as I hit the water. It made diving quite a bit easier not to have to chase after them to get a look.