We are just kind of hanging around waiting for the time to leave for the airport to arrive, so I thought I would update this somewhat. Beware those of you who live at home, we have MANY more pictures to share (but only if you ask, I promise). This past four days was completely different again from what we had seen previously. We took the time to drive almost all the way around the island, and in one day went from rain forest, to cowboy country, to desert, to beaches, to hardened lava everywhere, to black sand beaches and back to rain forest. Hilo is in a rain forest, which means there is lots of rain. In December here, it rained every day and night for all 31 days! We were lucky - a few sprinkles here and there, but no rain. Behind our small hotel is a "garden" owned and maintained by the owner of the hotel.
Hilo has been devastated by tsunamis several times. One of the more interesting things we did was to visit the tsunami museum on the front street, where we learned that after the 1946 tsunami, scientists recognized so much about the tsunami pattern, and the warning system was so good, that no one should have died in 1960. However, people being people, some wanted to see the water, and returned before they should have. The big tsunami was predicted to arrive at 12:31 a.m. In fact, it arrived at 1:04 a.m. Those who thought it was a false alarm perished. Imagine being in the dark on this coastline as a 30 foot wall of water hit!
The big attraction of course, is the Halema'uma'u Crater and the Kilauea Caldera. (For those who are wondering, if a "crater" is bigger than a mile across, it is a caldera. Therefore, the crater is within the caldera).
We walked Desolation Trail, and descended about a mile down to the Kilauea Iki Crater, then walked across it past many steam vents. It is considered safe to be in, unlike the active Halema'uma'u.
We also walked through the Thurston Lava Tube, formed as lave was flowing. The surface hardens and then when the lava ceases to flow, a tube is left. I don't think mother nature put in the lights though!
Things are fairly quiet right now at the crater. This is what you see by day, but if you hang around until the sun sets, this is what you see. This is the reflection of the lava pool on the steam created. Very neat! Probably as close as I will ever be to an active volcano!
We really wanted to buy this rocker for one daughter's porch, but it was made of koa wood and was $9000! Plus, we weren't sure how we could get it on the plane.
Yes, there are beaches here. On the Kona side, the beaches are beautiful. On this side however, things are a bit more rugged. Black lava rock creates spectacular images.
At Waipi'o Bay, a sacred area and much photographed image of the Big Island. A very friendly talkative native woman took the photo. I ended up buying a necklace from her, but passed on the nose flutes!
Couldn't resist this shot of flowers at the market, although why you would buy them I don't know, as there are flowers everywhere!
Green sea turtles are protected at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach. We spent our last afternoon here, enjoying the sun, sand and surf. So...one last "view from the toes". We're off to Oahu!
We are just kind of hanging around waiting for the time to leave for the airport to arrive, so I thought I would update this somewhat. Beware those of you who live at home, we have MANY more pictures to share (but only if you ask, I promise). This past four days was completely different again from what we had seen previously. We took the time to drive almost all the way around the island, and in one day went from rain forest, to cowboy country, to desert, to beaches, to hardened lava everywhere, to black sand beaches and back to rain forest. Hilo is in a rain forest, which means there is lots of rain. In December here, it rained every day and night for all 31 days! We were lucky - a few sprinkles here and there, but no rain. Behind our small hotel is a "garden" owned and maintained by the owner of the hotel.
Hilo has been devastated by tsunamis several times. One of the more interesting things we did was to visit the tsunami museum on the front street, where we learned that after the 1946 tsunami, scientists recognized so much about the tsunami pattern, and the warning system was so good, that no one should have died in 1960. However, people being people, some wanted to see the water, and returned before they should have. The big tsunami was predicted to arrive at 12:31 a.m. In fact, it arrived at 1:04 a.m. Those who thought it was a false alarm perished. Imagine being in the dark on this coastline as a 30 foot wall of water hit!
The big attraction of course, is the Halema'uma'u Crater and the Kilauea Caldera. (For those who are wondering, if a "crater" is bigger than a mile across, it is a caldera. Therefore, the crater is within the caldera).
We walked Desolation Trail, and descended about a mile down to the Kilauea Iki Crater, then walked across it past many steam vents. It is considered safe to be in, unlike the active Halema'uma'u.
We also walked through the Thurston Lava Tube, formed as lave was flowing. The surface hardens and then when the lava ceases to flow, a tube is left. I don't think mother nature put in the lights though!
Things are fairly quiet right now at the crater. This is what you see by day, but if you hang around until the sun sets, this is what you see. This is the reflection of the lava pool on the steam created. Very neat! Probably as close as I will ever be to an active volcano!
We really wanted to buy this rocker for one daughter's porch, but it was made of koa wood and was $9000! Plus, we weren't sure how we could get it on the plane.
Yes, there are beaches here. On the Kona side, the beaches are beautiful. On this side however, things are a bit more rugged. Black lava rock creates spectacular images.
At Waipi'o Bay, a sacred area and much photographed image of the Big Island. A very friendly talkative native woman took the photo. I ended up buying a necklace from her, but passed on the nose flutes!
Couldn't resist this shot of flowers at the market, although why you would buy them I don't know, as there are flowers everywhere!
Green sea turtles are protected at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach. We spent our last afternoon here, enjoying the sun, sand and surf. So...one last "view from the toes". We're off to Oahu!
1 comment:
Wow - you both look so healthy and happy!! We are so glad you are having such a wonderful adventure together :-)
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