Lava flows meeting the Pacific Ocean. I had flown to Hawaii on getting word that there had been several surface 'break-outs' of lava flows which otherwise are not visible as they flow to the ocean through underground lava tubes (lava tunnels). Equipped with a gas mask, a face shield, tripod, camera gear, Powerbars and as much Gatorade I could carry - I hiked for about 6 miles to reach this spot from where I could photograph active flows from within 5-10 feet! I took sunset shots, then camped out close to the lava flows and photographed them through the night. I was treated to a full moon rising over this eerie but awe-inspiring theater where the darkness of night was interrupted only by the hissing of poisonous gases from the lava flows and explosions of steam as the lava met the cold ocean. All of these shots were on Fuji Velvia film taken with a Nikon F-100 body - which I fully expected to have simply melted due to the immense radiant heat being so close to the lava flows; amazingly the camera and film survived, to help me get home some incredible shots! My souvenir from the trip? Hiking boots with most of the tread on the soles burned out! Oh - and I also met another photographer (named - Stumpy! Really!) ... but his is another story, you see - Stumpy, had been photographing similar ocean enteries of lava when he got a bit too close to an explosion that sent shards of razor-sharp basalt flying through the air! Three fingers later ... well!