March 6, wild free-roaming chickens which we saw everywhere, here at the Waimea Canyon on the Big Island of Hawaii.
March 6, wild free-roaming chickens which we saw everywhere, here at the Waimea Canyon on the Big Island of Hawaii. |
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 After having an early breakfast, we arrived in Hilo a little before 8:00 AM. A light rain was falling which concerned me since we had a shore excursion planned to Volcanoes National Park today. |
 By 7:45, we were all lined up, ready to disembark to head out to the pier to meet our tour bus. |
 We got seats near the back of the bus, but it had big windows, so that was okay, and the seats were comfortable. Off we went. |
 We quickly passed the Liliuokalani Garden with a Japanese tea house and Edo-style landscapes, but unfortunately, we didn't stop. We did drive by slow enough so I could get a few good pictures. It would've been a nice place to spend some time. |
 There was nothing spectacular about the neighborhoods we passed through (0:23) on our way to Volcanoes National Park as our driver talked about bananas. |
 When we got to the park (here's a better look at the entrance fees), the bus dropped us off in the parking lot. There were two long paths in opposite directions leading to overlooks of the Kīlauea Volcano. With only 30 minutes before we had to return to the bus, we would have to hurry if we wanted to experience both of them. (We'd have to take the trail to the first overlook, pictured here, then return to the parking lot and take the trail in the opposite direction to get to the second overlook; 30 minutes was not long enough to really enjoy the amazing viewsnote was taken by Teresa. |
 Photographs of this place don't do it justice. To me, it was quite awe inspiring (0:29). Steam venting out from underground hinted at what was waiting down below - hot, molten lava just waiting to erupt some day in the future. (Though it would've been nice to see some orange, bubbling lava on the surface.) |
 Everyone took pictures at the first overlook, then watching the time, we headed back through the parking lot and over to the second one. (here's a closer look, and here's one more.) Then, having used up our 30 minutes (and more), we had to rush back to the bus. This was one of the highlights of our Hawaiian vacation. I only wish we had more time to spend here. Next (Day 5, Page 2) |
