After stopping in Waimea for breakfast we headed to our next stop, Hilo.
Hilo is a big town by Hawaiian standards and the Saturday market was taking place while we were there. It was so fun to shop in tent after tent of Hawaiian crafts and jewelry and clothing, and to see all the beautiful flowers and fresh produce for sale.
The owners of one of the shops in town told us that it was "Portugese Saturday," which meant the local Portugese Club was in the park beside the beach selling Sopa de Feijao -- Portugese bean soup -- and filojos -- Portugese donuts. We bought a container of soup and a bag of donuts and ate them in the park.
Our next stop was Volcano National Park.
Halema'uma'u, the volcano, is really active right now and because of sulfur dioxide emissions, many of the roads in the park are closed. We were able to drive as far as the first observation center where we could see across the caldera to where the volcano is spewing gas with gusto.
Next we stopped at the Thurston Lava Tube.
And then we were on the road again.
Our final stop was Punalulu Black Sand Beach.
After swimming for awhile, and gawking at the Hawkbill sea turtles, we got back in the car and made our way through the Kona forests, where coffee is grown, and came back around to the side of the island where we're staying.
It was an amazing -- and long! -- day.
Looks like an amazing time!! I was just in Hawaii less than 3 months ago and miss it so much!! I just love being there and have told my hubby we will be moving there some day, not forever but just to live for a year or so!! The kids are all on board, now convincing Daddy!! ha
ReplyDeleteOh my! We love the Big Island. Have you been to Hapuna Beach? It's one of our favorites! Enjoy your vacation! :)
ReplyDeleteRochelle
Hee, hee. I know the lady in the market picture, at least I buy stuff from her every other week or so. Weird seeing her in a different context.
ReplyDeleteAre you meeting up with the Salsa twins who are also in Hawaii?!?!?!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous trip! The beach with the black sand reminds me so much to Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands we used to live on. It is so hot you can't walk with bare feet on that.
ReplyDeleteThe Salsa girls are on a different island. It would have been great if we were on the same island though. I would have loved to have seen them.
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