Hilo
Home Up Honolulu Day 1 Honolulu Day 2 Embarkation Hilo Maui Day 1 Maui Day 2 Kona Kauai Oah'u and Impressions

 

As the alarm went off, we cruised into Hilo Harbor on the Big Island of Hawaii.  Not a bad way to start the day!

We went to pick up our hire car, trying to make use of the Thrifty Blue Chip Express pickup service.  In point of fact, it wasn't particularly express, with longer lines there than most of the other rental companies.  Eventually (after a 25 minute wait) we were given a Dodge something-or-other with an interior fit and finish that looked like something out of the Jetsons cartoon series!

Finally we were on the road to Volcanoes National Park, around a 25 mile drive from the car rental depot.  It took just over half an hour to get to the entrance station.  Volcanoes National Park is based around Kilauea Crater and the lava flows from there down to the Pacific coast 4000 feet below.  The volcano is still active, with flows of lava still going down to the sea from Pu'u O'o.  We initially took the crater rim drive round the original Kilauea Caldera, viewing the various recent lava flows, the rifts in the rock and the most recent Halema'uma'u Crater.  The Caldera is around 3 miles in diameter, and is a fascinating landscape, particularly if you have an interest in geology like Dave.

         

              

    

We then headed down the Chain of Craters Road to the sea, again stopping at some of the more recent lava flows.  Just before the road hits the waterline, it is possible to see in the distance (2-3 miles away) the plumes of steam where the current lava flows are hitting the water.

After returning, we also investigated the Thurston Lava Tube, formed when exterior lava cools before the interior which then drains out leaving a tunnel.

After this excitement, we headed back to the boat via Diamond Falls, a small waterfall near Hilo.

In the evening, after an excellent Teppanyaki meal / experience on board (and also after a memorable karaoke duet of Hotel California with Joe), the ship sailed past the lava outlet.  In the dark, you could clearly see the glow of the lava hitting the sea, and the resulting clouds of steam.  A unique site, that was very hard to photograph due to the dark and the movement of the ship.  Still, we tried!