More of the Big Island

We enjoyed our 4 days on the Big Island.  Now the reality awaits that we are returning to the real world in just a few days!  It's bittersweet!  This has been such an incredible experience- definitely opportunity of a lifetime to spend a month in Hawaii!  It's amazing how quickly the time has passed...

Black Sand Beach 

Black sand

Gold sand from our beach

Basik Acai- an acai bowl (smoothie in a bowl with fruit/toppings- A-mazing!!

Spence body surfing

Hawaii Volcano National Park

Big day- lots to cover!  You may want to skip my commentary!

To drive from one end of the island to the other takes roughly 2.5 hours- that shows you how big this island is.  We made the full circle today, giving us a great view of the island of Hawaii.  Driving north, we got some incredible views of the ocean on the left from clifftops, with some beautiful waterfalls on the right feeding into the ocean.

One stop that was worth the time was Akaka Falls.  It is a nice, paved short hike with some beautiful falls in several places with incredible vegetation.

420 foot waterfall

look at the size of that fern!

We finally arrived at the National Park.  Unfortunately, it was a dreary, rainy day.  There was a volcanic spot that was currently erupting, but only a glow could be seen after sunset.  It was still worth our effort- there is a lot to see at the Park.

First stop- the steam vents.  In Kialauea Caldera, there are numerous fault lines.  Rainwater sinks through the ground where it is heated by the rocks with liquid rock running below.  The hot water turns to steam and rises through the fissures.  Just placing your hand above them- you can feel the intensity of the heat.

Halema'uma'a Crater
Next- the Jagger Museum.  It was interesting to go through and learn about the activity of the volcanoes, the science behind it, and the history here in Hawaii.  Additionally, we were given more history on the Hawaiian culture and beliefs- especially concerning the goddess of fire/volcanoes, Pele.  

Don't worry- I held my breath the entire time 

Pele- goddess of fire

There are constant blendings of science with ancient beliefs

The Thurston Lava Tube is really fascinating.  What is a lava tube?  Well, I'm not sure I fully understand how it works, but basically, lava flows underground leaving walls and roof,  remaining empty post flow creating a tunnel.  You enter and exit with tropical forest on both ends.

leading into the tube

once inside- nice and cool, well lit- total length- ~ 1/3 mile long

We finished our time here with a great 4 mile hike through Kilauea Iki Trail.  It begins with ancient tropical rain forest, takes you to a recently lava paved crater basin (with more steam vents), and ends with another trail through tropical forest.  The forest is at 4,000ft- nice and cool and beautiful.  Then, you find yourself in a hot, steamy, black wasteland- such a contrast- it was crazy!

beautiful, verdant trail 

then stare out into the dark, black crater

Spence is thinking, "how did she get me on another hike?"

there were bamboo orchids blooming everywhere in the wild!

Kayaking & Snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay

Several friends who have come to the Big Island before us made the strong suggestion that one of our "must dos" was to take a kayak across the Kealakekua Bay to the Captain Cook monument.  According to the guidebooks, this is the best snorkeling in the state of Hawaii, and we quickly agreed.  We strapped our kayak on top of the jeep, and then kayaked a mile across the bay to some of the clearest, bluest water with an incredible array of fish.  Our biggest regret is that we did not buy an underwater camera to capture the fish that we saw.  So, I'm posting some pics of what we saw from internet sources.  We spent a few hours snorkeling.  Great experience- we highly recommend!

The monument is the white obelisk on the left

Moorish Idol

Yellow Tang- there were schools everywhere like this!

Whitley's Boxfish

Slate Pencil Urchin 

Butterfly fish

Bullethead Parrotfish- these were the most beautiful fish we've ever seen- they were huge!

Orangespine Surgeonfish

Pinktail Triggerfish

Sunset from the hotel

I can't help it- the sky here is magical at sunset!

The Big Island of Hawaii

Our sweet jeep for the rugged terrain of the Big Island.
Really, we didn't need the 4WD for exploring, but
it was really fun to take the tops off and drive the island!

Tuesday, we travelled to the the Big Island of Hawaii.  Through Spencer's program we were able to get a great deal on a room at the Hapuna Beach Prince Resort.  It was a beautiful resort in the northwest tip of the island.  As I've mentioned in earlier postings, the Big Island is the youngest of all of the islands of Hawaii.  It is the only island with active volcanoes.  It is also the most diverse of the 3 islands we have now visited.  Landing in Kona, you are in the middle of black rock everywhere- just like there was a recent volcanic activity, and the only life you see for miles is random areas of grass growing on this black rock.  Then, our resort appeared in this beautiful green section and looked out over a really nice bay with clear turquoise water with a soft beige shoreline.

black lava rock everywhere- here areas of grass growing on it

view from the resort

view of the resort from the beach

Spencer had worked the last few nights, so we took the opportunity to just relax the rest of the day.  The resort's beach area was great, and the pool was very relaxing!  

Twilight from the pool

I will say that the best meal I've had the entire month was at this GREAT place in Kailua-Kona called Island Lava Java.  I had a spinach wrap that included the following roasted vegetables- eggplant, summer squash, butternut squash, mushrooms, zucchini, onions, carrots, and red & green bell peppers with hummus and macadamia pesto.  Oh my- I would do anything for this recipe.  It was AMAZING!  Spence had more fish tacos- very tasty.

BEST wrap I've ever had- LOVED it!

Fish tacos with black beans and homemade fries

Diamond Head Hike

my first whole pineapple

Kala and I started off this morning at the Kapiolani Community College Farmer's Market.  It was a great Saturday morning activity, and had we known that there would be so much delicious food there, we would have skipped breakfast at the apartment.  There were so many vendors with fresh fruits and vegetables, tents with freshly made food, and other interesting items- I think I'll definitely go back next Saturday.  I did buy my first whole pineapple and accomplished cutting it up on my own.  I'm not sure why I was so intimidated by it- it was really pretty simple!  It is also delicious!

Kala and I did split a homemade popsicle- 100% local ingredients.  It was blueberry lemonade with fresh blueberries & homemade lemonade with lemons and sugarcane from here in the islands.  Best popsicle I've probably ever had.  And we split some kettle corn too.  It's probably best we did a hike next....

Diamond Head Crater

Another "must do" item from all of the guide books is to hike Diamond Head.  This is a hike in a volcanic tuft/crater in the southeast corner of the island.  You drive through a tunnel in the crater to park.  The hike is from the crater floor to the highest point overlooking Waikiki, the Pacific, and the mountain range behind us.  Through a series of switchbacks, intense staircases, tunnels, etc...we only climbed a total of 560 feet, but it was a spectacular view.  Well worth the effort.  Plus- it definitely counts as my workout for the day.

Waikiki to the right where we stay

A lighthouse below from the other side.  It is amazing how dry this area is!

Spence and I split a delicious shaved ice after the hike- very refreshing!

Spence is back at work today.  Brandon, Kala & I spent the afternoon on the beach and watched the sunset.  They leave tomorrow- it's been so much fun to have friends here to experience this with!

I'm going to miss sunsets like this