On Day 4 we went to Hilo. It is on the east side of the Big Island and is known for being the "wet" side. A few days ago, Craig was at the beach across the street from our condo while I was napping and he made friends with a couple from Hilo. They got to talking and invited us to a party they were throwing. We thought it would be a great chance to meet some more local people and see what the east side was like.
We left around 9 am, and as we were driving out we saw some of the marathon that was going on. Reminded me how glad that part of my life is over. We headed out of Kona and it was nice to do so. The drive was stunning. Before we got to Saddle Road we could look back over Kona and see the ocean and island from above. So green and colorful. When we began on Saddle Road, it was so brightly green it looked like we could have been in Ireland. The sky was a bright blue, as well. We stopped for a couple pictures, but Craig said "no more," because his sunburn was getting to him. At one point, I was on the phone with my mom and saw a wild black goat on top of a boulder.
The transition of terrain on Saddle Road was interesting and dramatic. I wanted to take more pictures but there were signs that said to only stop for emergencies. It started out green as Ireland, then quickly turned to more of a dull green, to black dried lava everywhere, to brown desert. In the desert area we were driving in between two Volcanoes. Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. There aren't many days you can say you've driven through 2 volcanoes. The cloud cover was getting thicker and thicker. We started to get back into the dull greens again, and this transitioned into a lush rainforest-type terrain.
When we got to Joel and Diana's we had to open their gate to enter. Most people have gates into their home as a safety precaution. They live in a home that seems like a beach getaway to me. They have a beautiful wrap around porch and it's so green and lush around their home. We met a lot of nice people there and most were originally from the main land. We talked with one couple, and the husband was from St. Louis. On top of that, his parents graduated from Houston, where Craig taught last year. That was pretty crazy.
The food was really good. It was a taco bar with puupuu's (appetizers). I had a chicken taco (tortillas warmed right over the gas range). Some kind of coleslaw, spanish rice, lychee salsa, and quinoa. My favorite thing I had later, it was apples with a cream cheese/toffee dip. Never would have thought of that combo.
We hung out until about 3 and decided to head out. Our stop on the way back was Rainbow Falls. It was a beautiful giant waterfall that had a little hike to the top. Before you walk out to the water, there's a giant banyan tree that makes a gigantic shaded area that, as Laura said, would be a fairy heaven. We went out to the water and climbed over the jagged rocks to get to the edge, took some pictures, and headed back. It was a little too much sun for us at that point and we were sweating.
Something that surprised me about Hilo was that it was more sunny there than we had experienced in Kona the whole time so far! I've heard that's not usual. Anyways, we headed back across Saddle Road and made it to our condo. Craig was pretty tired after our delicious frozen pizza dinner and fell asleep at 7:30pm! That's good though. We will need our rest for Day 5's big hike through Waipi'o Valley with Laura.
We left around 9 am, and as we were driving out we saw some of the marathon that was going on. Reminded me how glad that part of my life is over. We headed out of Kona and it was nice to do so. The drive was stunning. Before we got to Saddle Road we could look back over Kona and see the ocean and island from above. So green and colorful. When we began on Saddle Road, it was so brightly green it looked like we could have been in Ireland. The sky was a bright blue, as well. We stopped for a couple pictures, but Craig said "no more," because his sunburn was getting to him. At one point, I was on the phone with my mom and saw a wild black goat on top of a boulder.
On the Kona Side of Saddle Road
On the Kona Side of Saddle Road
The transition of terrain on Saddle Road was interesting and dramatic. I wanted to take more pictures but there were signs that said to only stop for emergencies. It started out green as Ireland, then quickly turned to more of a dull green, to black dried lava everywhere, to brown desert. In the desert area we were driving in between two Volcanoes. Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. There aren't many days you can say you've driven through 2 volcanoes. The cloud cover was getting thicker and thicker. We started to get back into the dull greens again, and this transitioned into a lush rainforest-type terrain.
Mauna Kea
When we got to Joel and Diana's we had to open their gate to enter. Most people have gates into their home as a safety precaution. They live in a home that seems like a beach getaway to me. They have a beautiful wrap around porch and it's so green and lush around their home. We met a lot of nice people there and most were originally from the main land. We talked with one couple, and the husband was from St. Louis. On top of that, his parents graduated from Houston, where Craig taught last year. That was pretty crazy.
Craig, Diana, Joel, and Me
The food was really good. It was a taco bar with puupuu's (appetizers). I had a chicken taco (tortillas warmed right over the gas range). Some kind of coleslaw, spanish rice, lychee salsa, and quinoa. My favorite thing I had later, it was apples with a cream cheese/toffee dip. Never would have thought of that combo.
We hung out until about 3 and decided to head out. Our stop on the way back was Rainbow Falls. It was a beautiful giant waterfall that had a little hike to the top. Before you walk out to the water, there's a giant banyan tree that makes a gigantic shaded area that, as Laura said, would be a fairy heaven. We went out to the water and climbed over the jagged rocks to get to the edge, took some pictures, and headed back. It was a little too much sun for us at that point and we were sweating.
Rainbow Falls Lookout
Hiking Path to the top of the Falls
Giant Banyan Tree
Climbing over the Rockage
Giving Craig "the Look"
Me having a wonderful time.
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