Polynesian Culture and Big Waves

We went to the Polynesian Cultural Center today.  Took in a number of shows from many of the different cultures there.  Each was very well done and engaged the audience.  A bit theme-parkish, but overall worthwhile.  And we saw the IMAX-style movie about Hawaii which was good too.

Then we drove past the World Surfing Championship at Sunset Beach.  Huge traffic jam.  We went to the next beach (Waimea Beach) where we hung out for a bit and caught some big waves (see video too).

And a video (click on picture)

Iolani Palace

Went to the Iolani Palace.  This is the home and state house of the last four Kings/Queens of Hawaii.  The building has been restored and is worth the visit.  You also get a history lesson with the Hawaiian historical perspective which we found to be very interesting.

Afterwards, we grabbed lunch in Chinatown -- this appears to be the Eastside Vancouver of Honolulu.

Then we saw the Waikiki Holiday Parade and the fireworks.

Here is some video we took (click on picture)

Travel and Turkey

Today is Thanksgiving in the US and a travel day for us.  We are leaving the Big Island and headed back to Oahu (Waikiki Beach).  When we get to our hotel, we are upgraded (again).  So we have a really nice suite.

A lot of things are closed (as you might expect).  We didn't do a turkey dinner -- actually we had pizza.

Abandoned Hawaiian Village and Hapuna Beach

Started out today driving north up the coast to a historic Hawaiian village (abandoned in early 1900s probably because they ran out of water).  Some parts of structures still remain.  While we were there, we saw (at quite a distance) a whale in the ocean.

From there we drove south to Hapuna Beach.  It's reputation is that it is one of the best beaches in the world.  I haven't been to nearly enough beaches to compare, but yes, it is an awesome beach.  It is a big beach with nice sand which goes way out into the water -- no coral or lava rocks.  The surf is steady without being scary and the water is a nice temperature.

A day of vacation from our vacation

We always seem to have a very busy schedule when on holiday.  Today was a day to take a vacation from our vacation.  We enjoyed our morning at the Hilton Waikola, the mother of all resorts!  It was built here in the 80's.  We are staying down the road at the Kings Land Hilton Club resort.  Our benefits include the opportunity to use the Waikola pools etc. Just jump on the shuttle bus and off we go.  We walked around the beautiful grounds, along their small beach and enjoyed a nice lunch by the cantina.  Spent the balance of the afternoon at our own pool swimming and reading.  A nice bbq steak and pineapple for dinner and we are ready to explore a bit of this part of the island tomorrow!

Over the saddle road

We said goodbye to Barry -- one of our hosts at our cabin in the woods in the morning.  We went back to Volcano National Park.  We wanted to do a small hike through the steam vents.  This part of the walk reminded Stewart and I a bit of Yellowstone.  Steaming vents, sulfur crystals and multiple colours around the vents.  We continued on and ended up on another trail that took us through  more of a  rain forest.  We lastly visited the Jagger Museum.  A last look at the steaming crater and off to Hilo.

We stopped in the cute shopping street by the bay in Hilo. A quick stop at Rainbow falls. Not the time of day to see the rainbow and certainly not enough water flowing.  But we did see a couple of incredible Banyon trees.  One was so big it just reminded you of the tree house tree in Swiss Family Robinson.
We took the Saddle road from Hilo to our new home near Waikola.  This road had been rebuilt and runs up over the island.  We climbed out of the rain forest and into the desert.  Watching the GPS, we went from sea level to over 6000 ft.  Our ears were feeling it.  There is not much up there.  Lots of scrub, lava fields, and an air force base.  I am sure the members of the forces are thrilled to be posted to Hawaii, but when they show up to this base, they must wonder what they did to be posted to this desert!  We did pass the famous Hawaii Observatory and it was still a few thousand feet above the road.

We arrived at our resort located in this green oasis by the ocean with the lava fields and desert behind.  This is truly a place built with the phrase "If you build it, they will come!" We spotted a bit of smoke on the mountain behind us as we were arriving.  By the time the sun went down it was a full forest fire up the mountain.  It was under control a few hours later and we did not hear anything about it.

Hilo

Checked out the area around Hilo.  Went to the hippie market at Mukuku ... bought some vegetables.  Spent some time by the ocean.

Then went to Lava Tree State Park

Also, saw the botanical gardens.

Volcano National Park

Spent the day in Volcano National Park.  After a quick orientation trip to the visitor centre, we walked the Kalauea Iki Crater trail, which descends through tropical forest to the lava bed of the Kalauea Iki Crater.  It isn't overly steep in any places and we stopped and looked at quite a few things.  Took us about 3 hours in total.

Next up was the Thurston Lava Tube.  The back half is closed due to the ceiling caving in.

We then drove down the Chain of Craters road to the ocean stopping to look at a few volcanic craters and scenic sights along the way.