September 23, 2012

Sunday, September 23, 2012.  Volcano Teapot Cottage, Volcano, HI

September 24, 2012

Monday, September 24, 2012.  Volcano Teapot Cottage, Volcano, HI

We had a few must-do's on our list and going to the Green Sand Beach was one of them.  We originally was going to go on the day we drove from Volcano to Kailua-Kona but enough residents convinced us it wasn't a good idea to leave all of our stuff in the trunk of the car.  So we decided we would take today to go over.  

First stop was South Point Complex, National Historic Landmark...for what else??  A Geocache.  So we took a picture in the very windy conditions.  

 

While we were getting sunscreen on, a bunch of people went over to this area with their cameras.  So, of course, I just had to go and see what all the excitement was about.  It was a hole and you could see the ocean! 

 

South Point is the southernmost point of the United States.  These are views from the sea cliffs.  Anyone want to climb down the ladder?  No thanks.  

 

From South Point we were going to walk over to the Green Sand Beach.  We didn't realize until we were walking for about 10 minutes, that you get back in your car from South Point and drive over to a different parking area to start the hike out to the Green Sand Beach...by this time, it didn't matter so we kept going.

 

Views of the ocean on the way to the Green Sand Beach. 

 

You can drive your 4WD vehicle back here...if you dare.  There were plenty of people doing it but most of the vehicles weren't rentals...

 

After about 3 miles (with our detour from South Point) we see the first views of the Green Sand Beach.  The sand is actually green--it is the semi-precious gem called Olivine mixed with Black Sand and it sure was a sight to see!!

A sign welcoming us to the area and reminding us that there is a limited amount of Green Sand and to not take any with us.  I did not...except what was in my swimsuit, my hair, my shoes :)

Of course, we had to grab the geocaches that were here...yep out on the peak.

 

The view of the beach from the other side!

A handful of the Green Sand

Playing in the water...doing some P90X on the beach...

you know, normal stuff people do everyday at a beach! 

 

 

Last look at the Green Sand before we head back.

We stopped off to grab another geocache on the way out...

 

Weird Satellite Dishes along the road.  

We also stopped by Punalu'u Black Sand Beach on the way back...we were going to eat lunch here but decided to just eat in the car.  We wanted to make it into Hilo and then back by 7pm for the replay of the Monday Night Packer Game.  The black sand is made when the 'a'a lava flow meets the oceans and breaks down and is pulverized into sand.  

It definitely was black...and we even got to see a Turtle!!

 

From there we headed into Hilo.  We needed to get Dinner and Jason wanted to check out the brewery.  We could find their beer on the West Side of the Island but not over here.  Funny...the city they brew it in didn't have it.  They said they are having a shortage of bottles (huh?  sounds like a shortage of money...cuz you actually have to have the beer in bottles in order to sell it)  So we bought a few browns and a  t-shirt for Jason.  To get to the tasting room, you walk into the brewery.

We then drove around Hilo a little...these are some views from Banyan Drive.  Banyan trees line the road are named after the person who planted it...the bay was really pretty!

 

We hit the grocery store for dinner and selected Tombo Ahi Tuna and Mahi-Mahi.  We did not have a grill so we baked the Mahi-Mahi and pan seared the Tuna.  It was probably the 2nd best meal we made on the trip (the Tuna the other night was the best).  Tonight was the Monday Night Packer game in Seattle.  Yes, that Monday Night Packer game where the replacement refs screwed the Packers out of a win.  But I am not bitter :)  The game starts at 2:30pm so Hawaii replays it at 7pm.  The owner of the cottage was so awesome--he made sure that we knew what channel the replay was on and even called us right when we got home to make sure we didn't turn the TV on until 7pm since they were still talking about the game.  We understood the phone call at the end of the game!!  

Oh well...this was our treat for the night so after that loss, we enjoyed a cookie!

Overall...a great day!

September 25, 2012

Tuesday, September 25 2012.  Volcano Teapot Cottage, Volcano, HI

Today is check-out day at the Teapot Cottage...after last night's horrible Packer game, I thought I would take advantage of the claw-foot bathtub.

I never got to sit on the beach and read so I grabbed my coffee and my book and took a bath.  I opened the doors and enjoyed the view!  

  

This is the view driving down the streets of Volcano, Hi

Today's plan was to head back to Volcanoes National Park and do some more hikes!

We were hiking the Kilauea Iki Crater trail.

  

It a 4 miles--starts in a rain forest on the crater's rim and then descends 400 feet to the crater floor.  With some interesting wildlife! 

 

Jason on the Crater Floor...and Tami by the 'follow the rocks' sign

 

Funny, in Arizona, we call them Cairns! 

Views from the Crater Floor.  The lava 'sank' after cooling and created this! 

 

Jason going to check out a hole...and a lady who couldn't get off her cell phone.

She was on a tour and they had all left!

 

More views of the crater floor that has crumbled.  And a landslide

  

After the lava cools, the floor drops creating the 'bathtub ring'.  

Another view of the ground--it just buckled.  And a still steaming vent.  

 

Looking back at the Crater Floor 

We then hiked the Devastation Trail--1 mile the ends at the Pu'u Pua'i Overlook.  The original Chain of Craters road use to come thru here until the 1959 Kilauea Iki eruption.

The old guardrail is still standing!   

We then went to the Sulphur Banks Trail.  A 1.2 mile trail thru steaming cracks and colorful mineral deposits.   

Sulphur Deposits 

 

Steam Vents 

We weren't planning on hiking the 'Iliahi Trail...but it was going to be about 1.5 miles back to the car either way so we decided to take the scenic route vs the trail next to the road.  

 

We left Volcano's National Park and drove the southern road back to Kailua-Kona.  We pass right by the Southernmost bakery in the USA so had to stop in and try  their Malasadas.  Stick with Tex's..they are way better! 

We continued on the road...made a stop at the South Kona Fruit Stand for some coffee..our next stop was Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park.  Also known as Place of Refuge.  In ancient times, Hawaii had laws that were really strict--woman couldn't eat with men, woman couldn't eat bananas, citizens were not allowed near a chief...this was known as the Kapu System--a way to keep order.  If you broke a law, you were penalized which usually meant death.  If you got get to the Pu'uhonua (place of refuge) you could return home after performing some rituals and all was forgiven.  

Views toward the ocean.  The first part was the royal grounds...Jason is looking at a reconstruction of a temple

 

This was a bowl carved into the rocks.  It was most likely used to hold dye, evaporate ocean water for salt or pound the 'awa root to make a ceremonial drink  

Wooden Images standing watch...and the great wall that separated the royal grounds from the place of refuge.  The wall is 10 feet high and 17 feet thick.  The stones are stacked so tightly that no mortar is necessary.  I am still amazed at how straight and smooth the walls are.   

 

Beautiful views at Sunset... 

This is the thickness of the wall...17 feet--and it's solid. And a springwater and saltwater pond that would have held fish to be eaten by the king.

 

A hawaiian boat fishing boat

We then headed up to Kailua-Kona to check into the hotel.  We stayed our last night at King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel.  Jason had a free night thanks to his stays over the summer in Ohio.  The view from the balcony...and Jason going to move the car.  

 

  

We then headed to Kona Brewing Company for dinner.  They have a really good hefeweizen that you can only get here so I had to come back!  We had dinner and ended vacation the usual way...with dessert.  

 

It was a good last day of vacation.  We were able to do everything we had hoped to today.  We missed a lot of sights on the trip overall but did the best we could!