Hawaii Part 3

We spent our whole week near and around Hilo. We took one day and traveled to the other side of the island to Kona for a Luau. We loved the Hilo side much better. Less commercialized, and frankly more beautiful. than the side that doesn't get any rain. But it was another great day of wandering and seeing the sites.

On our last day in Hawaii we spent the entire day in our bathing suits on the beach. We snorkeled (waiting to get those pictures back from my underwater disposable camera.), rode the waves, played in tidepools and springs. Such a wonderful way to end the day even if I did get very sunburned.

Amazing.

Hawaii Part 2

   On the second day we used a groupon we had bought for an all day tour to the Volcano National Park and different sites around the island. We were supposed to meet our tour guide under a big Banyan tree named Babe Ruth. We never did find that darn tree. Turns out it was in a grove of trees all named after the famous tree that planted them. Neat but hard to drive and read the tiny plaques at the same time.  Honestly we thought it was a bit boring after seeing the lava flow the night before. We traveled around in a tour bus with a bunch of other people. Constant stops all day long with "ok 20 minutes here then come back to the bus."

Standing on an active volcano. Yikes!

Hot Steam vents from the volcano

The day after that we spent half the day at a farmer's market. That was a lot more fun. So much exotic foods we hadn't tasted before and so many local vendors selling their handmade goods. 

That afternoon we went to the botanical gardens to use another online deal we bought and rode Segways. that was a riot. And the plants and waterfalls we saw there, so exotic! We visited Akaka Falls on our way back to our house. So glad we did!