Hawaii

Overnight at Honolulu realising I should have factored in a rest day (at least one).  Lovely room the ladies have been enjoying with views from Diamond Head across Waikiki from two balconies (Lanais)

Short flight from Honolulu saw us in Hilo on "the big island" aka Hawaii.  Checked in to the hotel which has a lovely view over Hilo bay and Mauna Kea in the distance.

Next day we signed up for a helicopter ride over Kīlauea.


We chose a company that had a "doors off" option to maximise the experience.  Nanna and Aunty Jan declined the offer and kept their doors on.  So with one door missing we flew to Kilauea and over the lava flows and vents spotting what lava was still present.  After a collapse of part of the mountain a couple of years ago lava no longer streams down and into the ocean. Lots is underground and only visible where the surface crust has collapsed.  There was one smallish flow from the Puʻu ʻŌʻō cone.  Quick trip to the Rainbow falls, out over the bay to spot the Pride of America cruise ship and our hotel and then back to the airport.  Great experience and some wonderful sights.

  

Afterwards we headed out to the Botanical Gardens.  Now Hawaii would be a gardeners godsend or nightmare.  It seems pretty much anything you plant here grows and multiplies which is great but they seem to spend a lot of time cutting stuff back to stop being overrun which is not so great.  The Botanical Garden was awesome.

Next day we set off for Mauna Kea summit. There is only one company on the island which allows their cars up there although many other rental cars were seen along the way.  We hired one of their cars and went through the most rigorous pre hire inspection ever which included mirrors under the car to check to previous damage and at least 20 photos of every aspect of the car.  Puts the fear of God into you but at least you look after their car I guess.

Driving to the summit can be done in under 2 hours during which time you travel from sea level to almost 14,000 ft (half the height of Everest). There is only 40% of the oxygen at sea level and altitude sickness is a real possibility.

We made it safely and took some time to check out the view and take some photos.  The ladies then started feeling unwell so we descended and they recovered. Fantastic views and highly recommended.

One interesting thing was I finished the last of a drink at the summit and screwed the cap back on.  When we got back to the hotel and were clearing out the car we noticed the bottle had been crushed in by the sea level air pressure. Quite amazing!

Next day heading to Kona, we stopped at the Volcanoes National Park.  Although not as spectacular as it has been in years gone by it was quite impressive.

Just down the road is the Thurston lava tubes which form when lava flowing forms a crust on the outside cooler edges and the middle continues to flow and drain out of the tube which leaves the tunnel.  Impressive.

Further down the Chain of Craters road is a volcanic landscape which has to be seen to be believed.  Acres and acres of old lava flows layering on top of each other and bubbling up in places.  Right at the bottom is where it crossed the road about 9 years ago, engulfing a sign as  it went.

That night we attended a Luau at a Kona hotel. Probably a bit commercial and touristy but ok.  Interesting food options and an open bar (although they make you walk about 150m to get to it!!)

Mai Tai's flowing freely and Nanna took a liking to them.  The performers did routines covering a variety of polynesian countries.

Back to our accommodation overlooking the coastline

then off to swim with the Manta Rays.  The Mantas have been attracted to the lights of the Sheraton Hotel since the 70's and now several operators cash in on that by putting out lighted booms which draws the plankton and subsequently the mantas.  Great experiece with giant rays swimming within inches of you. Here is an edited highlight of the experience.

Drove back to Hilo, returned the car (no damage!!) and the flew back to Honolulu.  Overnight there and then home.

One final comment is that the Hawaiians love SPAM (a generational hangover from the second world war and the GIs stationed there) and they push the sale of Macadamias very strongly.  You can get the nuts in all sorts of forms but the one the struck me as most bizzare was this..