Hilo, on the big island…HAWAI’I

Yesterday we docked in Hilo which is a city on the island of HAWAI’I. We took a shore excursion to see an active volcano and a waterfall. We were very lucky. The volcano had been inactive since 2018 until June of this year. On Sunday it began an eruption. We had a great driver who reversed the trip so that we could get to the volcano early to see it without crowds. Roscoe was so excited. The last time we were here, we took a helicopter ride over the park. So we really didn’t see Hilo. Today, on our mini bus, we saw much of the country. The big island is over 4,000 square miles and has about 200,000 inhabitants. Sugar cane was the largest crop but is no longer grown here. It’s very expensive to live here, but much cheaper than living on Oahu. A gallon of gas is around $5 a gallon. A 16 piece bucket of KFC, with sides is $76.00. Other than a cup of coffee, we bought nothing. I didn’t even get a magnet.😂.

We also walked through a 700 year old lava tube.

I am fighting a cold and fell asleep last night at 9pm. It is 4:40 am now and I’ve been up for awhile. I can hear Roscoe gently and softly snoring. I love having a couch to stretch out on!

Steam from the eruption. It is really cold here. 30 mph winds

The erupting volcano

Nature is powerful!

Inside the park. The national park is the second one established and first opened in the 1840’s. It is 14% of the entire island. This a fireplace in the main lodge. The carving is that of Pele, the goddess of fire!

Walking through a lava tube!

Rainbow falls

Today is Christmas eve. We will be in Kona which is on the west coast. We have nothing planned. We will probably tender into town, walk around and have lunch and then get back on the boat. Tonight is the second formal night and I will wear red! Pictures will be posted tomorrow! But here are some of the volcano, Rainbow falls and the rainbows we actually saw from our balcony.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

One last picture

Roscoe loves his ice cream!