Day 6 - Long Drive...

July 29, 2010

We drove around the island today. It was a long drive but a good experience to have. The western side of the big island is pretty black with lava and the northern and eastern sides are very green. We saw many banana trees along the drive. We stopped at the Mauna Loa macadamia nut factory. The factory was not operating but we watched videos of each "station".

We then went back to Hawaii Volcano National Park and drove South to see where the lava covered a road that used to be open. We also took a walk in a very large lava tube.We then drove to South Point, the most southern point of the USA! It was very desolate. It is a historic site but it is definitely off the beaten path. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ka_LaeWe then completed our circle of the island drive making it back to the hotel. It was a long, full day.

Day 5 - Luau Night

July 28, 2010

Today we hung out at the hotel most of the day. We spent some time at the pool and went for a couple of walks. We went to a Luau in the evening. The food was OK. Some of it was traditional Hawaiian food and it had an "interesting" flavor. The dancing at the Luau was really good and we all enjoyed the entertainment.

Day 4 - The North

July 26, 2010

Today we woke up and decided to go to the hotel buffet breakfast. There was a lot to choose from and it was easy to get full quick. After breakfast we headed to the northern end of the island. On the way we sawa group of black goats crossing the road. I was able to get a quick photo but they blend into the volcanic rock and they are a bit hard to see. Our first stop was at the King Kamehameha statue. It is the original 1880 statue. It has had some renovations over the years so it looks like a pretty new statue.

We then went to Pololu Valley Lookout. It is a pretty amazing view. The central part of the island where the hotel is located is pretty black with volcanic rock but the northern part of the island is very green and full of vegitation.

We also made a quick stop at Keokea Beach Park. There wasn't much of a beach there but it was still really pretty and we found a couple of shells and took some photos.On the way back it started to rain a bit but were pretty high in elevation so it was cold and wet. Once we got back to the hotel it was warm and dry again. Back at the hotel we had dinner, another evening swim and a great sunset! This photo was taken from our room balcony.

Day 3 - Waikoloa and Kona

July 25, 2010

Today we took a walk around the Anchaline Ponds about a block from the hotel. We walked out to the ocean and explored the water a bit. We also went down the street to the beach behind the Marriott hotel. It is a really pretty beach and the sand has green in it. After dinner my niece went for an evening swim with grandma. I think they both had fun, I enjoyed sitting by the pool watching the sunset.

Day 2 - Waikoloa, Hi

July 24, 2010

Today we spent at the hotel. The area is like a resort so there is plenty to do. My niece went swimming a couple of times. We saw a mongoose, it looks like a large, long squirrel but couldn't get a photo of it since they are pretty quick. The hotel has a boat and a train to get from one area to the other so we took the boat a couple of times. We also took the train but it takes longer and the boat has a more scenic route. There are birds on the small islands that the boat goes around, I was able to get a photo of one of them.