An early start today as we have a 9.15 flight to the Big Island, we should be staying in Volcano National Park which would have been a unique experience on many levels, both for the view of the lava at night, star gazing and being able to actually stay in a UNESCO world heritage site. Unfortunately the volcano was working against us and another eruption on Friday night means that the hotel is still closed and we will have to go to the other side of the island. We picked up the car then decided to drive the north of the island as there are a number of waterfalls along the route that we can look at. It was quite cool and light drizzle when we picked up the car but luckily it stopped so we didn’t have to drive in the rain. We went to Akaka State park which has a half mile loop walk around two waterfalls. The first Kahuna Falls is quite a long way off and rather hidden by the vegetation but the second Akaka Falls is very spectacular. This is definitely a rain forest area as the vegetation is very tropical and there is either 100% humidity or it was very fine misty rain. It wasn’t too cold as we were walking round but the temperature is definitely less than Maui. Akaka Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in Hawaii, it plunges 442 feet into the gorge and was very spectacular, possibly helped by the fact that it has been raining. We got back in the car and drove round to Waipio Valley Lookout, this is a very scenic piece of coastline with a massive waterfall in the distance, you can hike down but it is not advised in wet weather – which it was when we were there so we stood looking at the coastline for a while and watching the waterfall then decided to continue to the hotel in Waikoloa Beach. As we were driving we climbed up to about 2,500 feet and the temperature fell to 69 F, I am not sure I have warm enough clothes for this island! We stopped for lunch and to pick up some beers then continued to the hotel. The good news is that as we started heading down the other side we crossed from the windward – wet and windy side to the leeward side where it is very hot, the temperature rose to 93F by the time we reached the hotel! This whole area was definitely created by lava flow as we were driving along you could see all the volcanic rock and ash for miles, Chris wanted to stop and take some home for the Barbecue but I think our cases are quite full enough. We had a little excitement at checkin as they seem to have us under 2 bookings, one for 2 nights and the other for 3, they tried to tell us that this was our agent fault as he should have cancelled the whole booking and made a new one when we knew we wanted to stay longer, despite us trying to explain how stupid that sounded they weren’t having any of it, anyway in the end we got the room key, we have agreed we don’t need to check out and back in again and they won’t charge our card when we don’t check out on Wednesday morning! Chris went off and parked the car while I guarded the luggage then we set off for the room to unpack and relax on the balcony with a cool drink in hand while we rethink the next few days!
