Once again, our day started with a rainbow outside our balcony window. This always results in videographers and photographers stumbling over themselves half asleep to grab the camera and camcorder and start shooting away. A fun way for amateur photographers to jump out of bed.
Today we're renting a car and exploring Hilo on our own. The visitor center at the port is worth a quick stop for a map and to have any questions answered. They were very friendly. Thrifty car rental has a shuttle service that picks you up at the port. We only had to wait about 5 minutes for a pick-up and then it was a 10 to 15 minute ride to the airport to pick up the car. This is a great island to rent a car and explore on your own, so you can be on your own schedule. The drive was leisurely without much traffic. The island is easy to navigate with a very simple road system. (The traffic on Oahu is much worse and you may want to consider shuttles and excursions there just to avoid the trouble.) It's about 45 minutes to our first destination.
First on the agenda is what The Big Island is famous for - Volcano National Park, site of Kilauea crater, Hawaii's active volcano. Today's the first day of summer so we get in free. Whoopee! First stop is the Visitor's Center. Lucky timing! Ranger Dean is about to begin his educational talk. He gives us an animated overview of volcanoes and the history of Hawaii's volcanic activity. A good chuckle from the crowd erupts when he said he is often asked, "How do you know it's safe to be here?" and he said, "Who said it's safe to be here? You came to see a volcano." Thanks for the comforting words Ranger Dean. Now, it's off to see this thing for ourselves. Walking down the dirt trail toward the crater, you see the steam rising before you get to the viewing site. Steam vents surround you on all sides as you walk the trail, prepping you for the main event. It's a truly impressive sight to walk up and see the crater sitting out there in the open field smoking away. About this time we've worked up about as vast an appetite as the crater itself.
For lunch, we decided to stop by a local diner and opted for Cafe 100 in downtown Hilo. Simple food, low prices, walk-up diner where you can eat outside.
The rest of the afternoon was left to the chance of a guidebook and a map. We take off in our little rental car North of Hilo up Hwy. 19 and end up on the Scenic Route. Though all of Hawaii is beautiful and unique, once we enter the scenic route, both of us look at each other and say, "This is what Hawaii is supposed to be like." Lush vegetation with all-encompassing trees, cliffs with waves crashing against them, and gorgeous flowers. But what is it with all these chickens? Yes, I said chickens. They are everywhere you go. Walking along a scenic overview, who should stroll up but a rooster and two chickens. They just seem to wander around everywhere.
Aahh, but the scenic route is only a tease for the grand finale. The Hawaiian Tropical Botanical Gardens are a must see. You will feel like you are in the Garden of Eden. Waterfalls, ocean, flowers, gigantic trees. A photographer's heaven and a stroller's paradise. We spent between 1 1/2 to 2 hours wandering through all the paths. Beautiful! But we have to keep an eye on the clock, so we must leave this garden oasis and start our journey back to the ship. First, an authentic Hawaiian treat - Shaved Ice. We found a Mom & Pop Shaved Ice & Smoothie Shack along the scenic route and I had my first Pineapple shaved ice - delicious! You have to try this treat when you go to Hawaii. The ice just melts in your mouth as soft and smooth as snow. Looking at the view the owners of the "shack" had, Lon was ready to sell all our belongings and try to be their newest competitors!
Back onboard we ate in the Dining Room and went to see the "Second City Show". Second City always put on an entertaining improv act. After, we walked around a bit and ran into a few people we had met along the way. We're finding the cruisers on this ship to be quite friendly.
Tips: Take water or a bottle to fill up to Volcano National Park. They do not sale water bottles at the visitor's center; however, they do have stations where you can fill your water bottles with rainwater. Consider renting a car on this island and checking out the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens. They don't allow tour buses to park here, so it is easiest to get there by rental car.
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