During our visit to The Big Island, we stayed on Kona side, which is the West side of the Island. We wanted to explore the East side of the island (Hilo, Akaka waterfall, the volcanoes) but because it's all the way on the other side of the island, the drive over takes ~2.5 hours, we wanted to squeeze all the activities on the East side of the island all in one day.
It was a very busy and exhausting day.
Driving on Saddle Road to get from Kona side to Hilo side
(Reviews online all say that Saddle Road is dangerous and too difficult & unpaved to take rental cars on the road.
Those people are crazies. As you can see in the photo, the road is perfectly safe and paved.)
Those people are crazies. As you can see in the photo, the road is perfectly safe and paved.)
We arrived in Hilo
We tried "Kava". It was terrible
We took a helicopter ride, which goes over Hilo, the active volcanoes, and waterfalls
The smoke coming out of the active volcano
Explosion when the hot lava hits the ocean
Us outside of the helicopter. It was my first time
Mauna Loa Volcano
(the same name as the brand on Macadamia Nuts canisters)
(the same name as the brand on Macadamia Nuts canisters)
We took a short hike to the Akaka waterfall
Jeff is on his knees. He did not shrink in height.
We saw some really exotic flowers during our hike
That's gorgeous scenery! Is Kava a coffee dessert?
ReplyDeleteKava is a root, that is grounded up into a drink for sedative effects. I think for pacific islanders/pacific ocean culturs, it's similar to alcohol -- where people drink it at social events and they drink it to "feel good".
ReplyDeleteLove the post and pictures! Looks like it was totally worth exploring the East Side. I'd like to do the helicopter ride too.
ReplyDeleteI had awful motion sickness on the helicopter! I did not think to put on the psi bands and take Dramamine! it may not seem like it in pictures, but it was a very exhausting day.
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