Sunset from summit of Mauna Kea, 13,803 feet. No filter.
Started at the Hawaiian Tropical Botanical Gardens, moved onto Akaka and Rainbow falls, and ended at Richardson Ocean Park for snorkeling. Walked in the door after dinner (Mexican, of course!) just before the skies opened up to nourish the beautiful flora at our AirBnB.
Busy day moving from the Kona to the Hilo side of the Big Island! Highlights include Punalu’u Black Sand Beach with green turtles swimming in the water, hiking the Kilauea Iki trail, and walking through the Thurston Lava Tube.
Coffee beans en route to the black sands beach
Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
Steam vent at Volcanoes National Park
Lava lake of Kilauea Iki
Kilauea Iki
Kilauea Iki
After crossing the lava lake, we climbed up to the cloud forest
Thurston Lava Tube!
The exit out of the lava tube
Today, hiked 2+ miles down to the Captain Cook Monument and experienced the BEST snorkeling yet before hiking UP 2+ miles back to our AirBnB. This evening’s sunset courtesy of Manini Beach and its big waves.
Sunset from Manini Beach, Kealakekua Bay, Kona. Enjoyed happy hour while watching surfers attack the winter northwest storm waves.
Night Manta Ray Snorkel adventure with Kona Snorkel Trips: A+!
(Photo from
https://konasnorkeltrips.com/snork…/manta-ray-snorkel-kona
since I don’t have a water-safe camera.)
Team photo! With a waterfall! Allerton Gardens, Kauai. LOVE!
Plan B: Na Pali coast catamaran snorkeling trip canceled due to rough water, so Joel and I hiked from Shipwreck Beach along the Maha’ulepo Heritage Trail to the Makauwahi Cave. Gorgeous! Followed by snorkeling and daytime turtle viewing at Poipu Beach. Fabulous! After dinner, we saw over two dozen turtles resting on the beach. They avoided the area and rested in the water due to too many humans and returned to the beach during covid when there were fewer tourists bothering them. Docents now protect the turtles so they can rest and return to the water the next morning with renewed energy.
Another fabulous day on Kauai exploring Waimea Canyon and Poipu sunset.
Perfect Kauai day: a lighthouse AND a waterfall!
The hike down the muddy trail to Sea Lodge Beach? Totally worth it!
Perfect Hawaiian sunset.
Happy New Year! A bit of change of scenery to start 2022…
