Hubs and I adore Hawaii and I think the Big Island may be my favourite (we've also been to Oahu and Maui)... there is so much variety in terms of climate and things to do. It's a very laid back island and it's huge so there are often very few people around. We rented a car for our 2 week trip and travelled literally all around the island. While I loved Kona (hot and sunny), the Volcano (cold and barren), South Point (windy and dusty), Hilo (rainy and lush), and Waipio (gorgeous and sacred) also have special places in my heart. We chose perfect accommodations and I wouldn't hesitate to do this exact itinerary again.
For this Travel Tuesday post, I decided to do a collage-a-day (or thereabouts), using a mix of photos from my iPhone and hubs' point-and-shoot camera. :)
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. In transit. // 7. 8. 9. Our huge room at Silver Oaks Ranch... the owner gave us a papaya, a dozen farm fresh eggs, and a box of chocolate covered macadamia nuts.
1. 2. Making breakfast... I love having breakfast at "home" when we're on vacation. // 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Hiking through lava fields to the beach. // 8. 9. Dinner in Waikoloa.
1. Sausage, eggs, and garlic toast. // 2. 3. Goats at the ranch. // 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park. // 9. Dinner at Quinn's Almost by the Sea.
1. 2. 3. Missing Lulu & Truffle. // 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Watching U.S. Air Force training runs on Makole'a beach aka our private black sand beach for the day. // 9. Shopping.
1. Another windy day at Ka Lae, the southernmost point of the U.S. // 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Hiking to Papakōlea Green Sand Beach. // 8. 9. Sunset at Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park.
1. Fresh bananas from Rick at Silver Oaks Ranch! // 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Hiking across beaches and through lava fields to the beautiful golden freshwater ponds of Keawaiki. // 8. Hubs wanted to make another sign for Lulu & Truffle. // 9. Relaxing in our private hot tub.
1. Found this little guy in our kitchen. // 2. Drove across the island via Saddle Road to Volcano Village. // 3. 4. Our first look at Kilauea Crater in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. // 5. Thai food for dinner. // 6. Back to Volcanoes National Park after sunset. // 7. Loved having our own little cottage to come home to!
1. 2. 3. Kīlauea Iki Trail. // 4. The silence was deafening on the road to Holei Sea Arch. // 5. 6. 7. Where the road ends and the lava begins. // 8. Tea nook at the Volcano Teapot Cottage.
1. 2. 3. 4. Punalu'u Black Sand Beach Park. // 5. 6. Such a cute little cottage. // 7. 8. Looking into Kilauea crater at night.
1. 2. 3. Breakfast at the cottage. // 4. Checking in at Island Goode's just outside Hilo. // 5. An amazing breakfast the next day courtesy of Island Goode's! // 6. 7. Exploring Hilo. // 8. 9. Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens.
1. Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens, continued. // 2. 3. 4. 5. We fell in love with Einstein the cockatoo. // 6. A quick saimin dinner. // 7. Scenic drive back to our B&B.
1. Such a quaint bed in the Hilo Bay Room. // 2. Another delicious breakfast spread. // 3. 4. Relaxing outside the room. // 5. 6. Meeting the animals on the farm. // 7. Welcome pupus at our next B&B - avocado and cacao nibs (YUM!). // 8. The view from our little studio at Waipio Rim B&B.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Hiking to Waipio Valley. // 7. 8. 9. Dinner at Blanes Drive Inn.
1. 2. 3. 6. Breakfast on our private lanai. // 4. 5. Dottie and Sam. // 7. 8. Driving back to the sunny Kona coast to catch our flight. // 9. Enroute to Toronto.
