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Published: January 28th 2007
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Waipio Valley
Right out of Jurassic Park! Just got back from a week in Hawaii. It was my second trip to the Hawaiian Islands but my first to the "Big Island." We spent our entire time on the Big Island. It's an island with a bit of everything. It's large but yet not that large. You can easily drive all around it if you don't take stops and plan on a long day. We of course didn't do that because I need to hike to my waterfalls and stop at every point of interest worthy of a photo.
September 24, 2002: Arrived on Kona via Honolulu at around 5:30 pm. Got our rental car (Firebird Convertible) and got checked into the hotel. You need a convertible for Hawaii 😊 Went and ate at Hard Rock where I got my pin and glass that I need for my collection. Was going to be an early morning the next day so grabbed some sleep after a long day of flying.
September 25, 2002: Drove to Volcano National Park located on the south side of the island. Took a slight detour to the Black Sand Beach which was so wild. Saw some turtles. Then spent the rest of the
Akaka Falls
420 feet of falling water day touring Volcano National Park. Drove all around the park viewing all the steam vents and craters. Volcanic rock is amazing with its devastating effect. The stuff is virtually impossible to get through and nothing grows where it settles. They've had various flows on the Big Island over the years and each flow is marked with signs. Some of the flows go across roads and you aren't moving that stuff easily. We stopped for some pictures at the Sea Arch and then headed to the area where the actively flowing lava is hiting the ocean causing a burst of steam. Someday, I hope to come back and be able to afford the helicopter ride to see it up close but on this trip, I wasn't able to do that. We parked and went to walk on lava! Pretty wild, actually. You could see the red hotness through cracks as you walked. Everything was at your own risk because underneath lava is flowing and although it feels very stable as you walk on it, there's nothing to stop a big chunk from breaking away. My shoes got really, really hot as we walked on it. As night fell, you saw the
hillside light up with bits of red where the lava was now visible that you couldn't see during the light of day. Amazing. One of the coolest things I've ever done. How many people can say they walked on lava???
September 26, 2002: Drove over to Hilo. Had to go return our rental car and get a different one because of some mechanical problems. Now have a Camaro convertible 😊 Today was a day strikingly different in views than yesterday. This is what makes this island so amazing. You can go from black, barren conditions to almost Rain Forest type areas with amazing waterfalls and trees. Too cool. Headed out from Kona to make our way to Hilo. Stopped at the Pololu Valley lookout and the Waipi'o Valley lookout. Both are so pretty. Waipi'o Valley is where several movies have been filmed. It was a little bit hazy this day so you'll see that in my pictures. Seemed like it wanted to rain all day but just couldn't. Stopped at the World Botanical Gardens and snapped some pictures of all the flowers and small waterfalls. Then, hiked (not that strenuous) to the Kahuna and Akaka Falls. Pretty spectacular falls.
Mauna Kea Sunset
Watching the sun set high above the clouds Greens and yellows all around and you can't see them as you make your way but you sure can hear them. Finally, they appear and worth the trek. It was a bit humid but worth it. Then, we made our way to Rainbow Falls and the Boiling Pots and took some pictures there as well. After spending some time in Hilo, we slowly made our way back to Kona. Have an exciting day planned tomorrow...all day tour to the top of Mauna Kea!
September 27, 2002: This morning, we went and grabbed something to eat to kill some time before we needed to meet up with the tour guide who would take us to the top of Mauna Kea. Took some pictures down by the Ocean. The water is so incredibly clear. Headed out around noon on the van for the trek to the top. We stopped at 9,000 feet to have a meal and let our bodies adjust a little to the change in altitude. Definitely getting cooler as we head up. We slowly made our way up above the clouds. Took some pictures along the way out of the jostling van since there wasn't time to stop.
Kahuna Falls
400 foot drop We planned to be at the top at sunset and then to stay after to get a quick guide to the stars. Seeing the stars above the clouds is something pretty unique! When we go to the top of Mauna Kea, we instantly noticed the change in the thinness of the air. Sudden movements made you a bit light headed and the company provided parkas due to the drastic temperature change. At the top of Mauna Kea, we were 13,333 feet up. As the sun slowly set, the yellow then orangish glow on everything was so beautiful. Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano and home to the world's largest concentration of telescopes. The night sky is very undistrubed so optimum for astrological viewing because of the lack of big cities giving off nearby light and lack of pollution on the islands. We got a nice little lesson about the constellations which harkened me back to my college astrology class. I was so happy we did this tour. Just amazing. Got back real late...tomorrow, parasailing!
September 28, 2002: This morning, we went parasailing! Way freakin' cool! 800 feet up with a simulated fall. I was expecting to feel like I
Rainbow Falls
Two waterfalls which merge into one. Cave located underneath them. was in a wind tunnel or something but it was incredibly calm and peaceful up there. Had great views of Kona, even saw some dolphins! Spent the rest of the day hitting some of the off the beaten track sites and checking out the beaches. Went over to the Captain Cook Monument. The actual monument requires some hiking and we didn't have time for that so just took some pictures down where the location marker was. Cook was the one to "discover" the islands. Did some more driving around and then went on a Dinner Cruise that evening. They kept the Cruise light and fun and the all you can eat and drink was a hit for one and all. Took in the beautiful sunset on the water which is never as pretty in pictures as in person. Vacation is coming to an end, unfortunately.
September 29, 2002: Today, we took one of the Atlantis Submarines underwater to see the fish. I would have liked to snorkel but my travelling partner wasn't up to that so this was our compromise. You end up descending about 100 feet and we were able to see some incredible fish, turtles and even
Parasailing
800 feet up...that's the boat towing me way, way down there. an octupus. We then headed over to the famous Hapuna Beach which is an incredible white sand beach. Last site for the day was Pu'uhonua o Honaunau which is an Histoical Park which preserves the site where, up until the early 19th century, Hawaiians who broke one of the ancient laws against the gods could flee to to escape certain death. Very nice cultural activity. That evening, we went to a luau which was another good time. Tried octupus and poi for the first time (I can't really recommend either).
September 30, 2002: Went and did a little walking around in the morning and grabbed something to eat, and before we knew it, it was time to return the rental car and start the long flight back home.
Beautiful, beautiful island. Such a variety of things to do! Would highly recommend it. Had an amazing time and I know there was a lot we missed. The weather was very good overall, maybe a little humid for us at times, but can't complain too much about it. I even came back with a little sunburn on my shoulders from the convertible!
(Yes, I know it's way past the
Mauna Kea Telescope
These things are massive and high above the clouds. date of which I went on this trip but luckily I kept a journal! Am going back and adding it to my blog.)
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