We stayed for nine nights and covered a lot of ground. In the end we felt that we missed now nice the Band B’s were since we were on the go so much. But that is the way we travel.
Frist day- Landed in Kona, we rented from Alamo which was quick and easy. We upgraded to a behemoth SUV since there are many restrictions, most of them absurd, on where you can take a car. I hated driving the thing, a Chevy trailblazer, but it served us well. We headed south , stopping at Punaluu beach since it is just off the main road. Beautiful little place. We say two turtles, nice surf and wandered around the lava and the edge of the beach. Then we went up to our BB. Kate’s Volcano cottage. Great place. Good food. Comfortable. Couldn’t have asked for more.
Day 2- into Volcano. We did the justifiably lauded Kilauea Iki hike and then the Thurston lave tube. On Kate’s advice we brought flashlights since at the end of the tube there is a gated section that you can enter if you have your own light. It is an extension of the lava tube except with no lights and many fewer people. It was spooky and quiet and completely cool. After that we drove the crater rim drive with stops at steam vents and the sulphur banks. We drove down the chain of craters road with no intention of staying till dark. We just wanted to see it in the daylight. On the way the frequent showers brought stunning rainbows. We could see the full arc and vivid colors. Dinner at the lave rock, it was OK
Day 3- We drove up the Mauna Loa road which was nice, great views although there were the ever present clouds and few people. We hit the jagger museum in the park which we had passed by yesterday. We spent most of this day exploring the chain of craters road. We drove down the Hilina Pali road. Gorgeous views of the mountains and sea as well as a desert ecosystem. We also hiked out to Pu’u Huluhulu. Another nice hike. Then down to watch the steam and lave in the dark at the end of the chain of craters road. The weather never changed our plans or got in the way of what we wanted to do even though it was windy and rainy at times.
Day 4- onto Hilo. We went to Akaka falls which is a must. We did a quick drive down a short scenic drive in the area then onto the Bay House. Another beautiful Band B. I t has a sweeping view of Hilo bay in a great room. We walked through the Japanese garden until sunset. Next day, day 5, we drove up the coast to the Wapio overlook then around to the Pololu trailhead. There we hiked down the valley to the beach. Great views and less people then Wapio. Then back to Hilo around through Waimea.
Day 6- We wandered down through the Puna area. We checked out the hot springs and tide pools which were both nifty. Lave tree state park was also cool. .
Day 7we went to the mauna loa Macadamia farm. Completely touristy but fun. We drove over the saddle road. Great road , scenic and isolated. It is a complete scam that the rental car company wont’ let you drive it without upgrading. Much of the road looked to be newly paved and the rest was just bumpy. There is nothing extreme or edgy about the road. I will grant that I live in Alaska so my normal is different then others but not that off. We stayed in Captain Cook in a nice B and B. we also snorkeled at Kahuluu beach on the way through Kona. Lots of fish, clear water even though lots of people.
Day 8- Down to South point. Again the first twelve miles is just a narrow paved road. No problem. Great panoramic views. Finding the road that leads the last three miles is a little tricky. We were seriously uncertain about whether to drive the three mile road or hike. We saw one person turn back and six go all the way out of our site, so we drove. That is real four wheeling and needs a capable vehicle. We made it all the way, like everybody else, although we didn’t enjoy it. The green sand beach is worth it. The color is unique and the bowl it sits in is starkly beautiful. As others have remarked, it is reminiscent of the desert SW. The whole area is exotic. Later we went back to snorkeling at Kahaluu beach. Clear water, lots of fish , an eel and sea turtles.
Day 9- 4 hour snorkeling trip with dolphin discovery’s. We went to the Captain Cook monument and the place of refuge. Both great snorkeling spots. Later we drove up the coast to Hapuna beach which was nice. We also watched a manta from the balcony at the Sheraton. They have a manta watching trip which we didn’t do and turn on the lights after sunset to draw in the manta’s.
Traffic in Kona is a pain the siting area. Kona is a nice place but a classic tourist , beach town. Hilo has much more character. It feels like a real place that people love and settle in, rather then a tourist haven.
Also note that not all restaurants have bathrooms like the rest of the US. Gas is expensive. Think carefully if you where you will drive so you will know whether to be extorted by the car rental places. Oh expect to see cockroaches, especially in Kona. It the tropics and does not mean the place is unsanitary.
In general a great trip, there is a lot more we could have done and want to do. We would do a small plane sightseeing trip next time. Don’t fret about the weather just be prepared and ready to be flexible( standard travel advice for anyplace). Leave yourself plenty of time when driving in Kona.
Trip report 4/5-14
Thanks for sharing your trip report... sounds like you had an enjoyable time and got to see quite a bit during your stay without being rushed. Nice to hear that the weather wasn%26#39;t too much of a hindrance. Did you get to see any of the red glow from the lava while you were at VNP at night? Any other good places that you ate? I was a little confused as to what a ';Band B'; was at first (bed and breakfast), but glad they worked out for you and made your trip a little more enjoyable. ;-)
Trip report 4/5-14
Yes we saw the red glow from lava. Very cool. the whole atmosphere of being out on the lava, at the lookout, as the sun set, with the steam plume rising and the glow ebbing and flowing was great.
Will be going next week - first 2 days in Volcano - the second afternoon we plan on doing the sunset/hike/night lava viewing - what time do you suggest we park the car, in order to make the hike with some daylight left and be able to see the red lava from aa distance? I know the days are getting longer now and the sun is setting later.
well i would plan to get to the viewing spot 30-45 minutes before sunset. that will give time to find a comfy seat and to watch the sun set. the whole scene changes as the sun goes down so it is worth seeing. Even the steam plume is cool in the daylight. It takes about 30 minutes to get to the end of chain of craters road from the visitors center if you don%26#39;t stop. when you get to the end of the road you will see cars parked on the other side. Drive to the end, there will be a circle where you can turn around. Go to the end of the line of cars to park. It will take, depending how fast you walk, between 20-30 minutes to walk the length of the parked cars, the paved road past the ranger station and over the lava. Bring flashlihgts for the walk after dark. The walk on the lava is safe unless you are grossly careless. If you want to sit on the lava it is useful to bring a blanket or such in case there are no good seats.
good luck
greg
terrific trip report...mahalo! so glad you enjoyed many of the same place I have
you covered a lot of ground yet you feel the same way as I did after a lengthy trip (';there is a lot more we could have done and want to do';); thanks for sharing and bringing back such fond memories
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