October 19 thru 21: We left Kona a little later than we had planned, but hey, this is Hawaii and we are certainly on island time by now. we decided to drive south from Kona, visit the Volcano then on to Hilo. Along the way we were treated to vistas of the ocean from high up the cliffs, passed several coffee plantations and could catch whiffs of coffee being roasted. A fruit stand beckoned and we filled up the ice chest with farm fresh fruit, papaya, guava, mango, and a couple of others that were a must try, but I cannot remember their names, and when it came time to eat them, well, I couldn't remember which were peel and scoop and which were eat as is.
Trial and error, and only one fruit remaind that we could not eat.
Using the "blue bible", we stopped at a Ono bakery and restaurant in Naalehu, that was known for its pies. We opted to eat lunch before ordering pie, but then were too full, for a big slice of cream pie, so opted to split a mac nut pie, think pecan, but made with mac nuts.
Then on to Volcano National Park. Russ was excited to learn that he qualified for a senior pass, that now entitles him and his passengers entrance to all National Parks and Federal lands for free, after the initial 10 dollar fee, forever! The look on his face was priceless, you would have thought he won the lottery. Ranks right up there with getting his medicare card. Guess getting old still has some benies. We stopped at the visitor center, got our map and noted that most of the road around the crater was closed due to "bad air", the volcano was emiting so much gas that it was a health hazard and they had to close the roads. Not to be deterred, we continued to the road closed sign and looked at the steam vents from the vista, but as we approached the rim, the fog/ vog moved in and covered the view as the rain started pelting down. Fortunately we had visited the park on a previous trip and spent a lot of time exploring lava tubes and enjoying the Volcano in better weather. Since it was now getting late and we had been instructed to find our B&B in the daylight we left the Volcano to Miss Pele and a future visit.
Hilo, as promised, was damp and misty, we followed the printed directions turning onto a one lane road, winding 4 miles up the mountain side, thru massive tree lined tunnels. Birds chirping and frogs singing. On we went, trying to see the signposts for our B & B, Mac Nut forests now, and the roadway narrower and bumpy. Good thing it was still light. At last around a bend, we sighted our destination. A group of Japanese style, Pagoda shaped buildings,perched on a ledge overlooking a real 120 foot waterfall. We had arrived at our destination, Kulaniapa Falls. Researching a B&B on line, reading all the reviews, one never knows just what you will end up with, so we were taking a chance on this one. We were not disappointed at all. We found our upstairs corner room, looking at a view of Hilo below and the water fall roaring off of our Lani, unpacked and headed back down to Hilo for a delightful dinner at another ono restaurant, Cafe Pesto, recommend by a good friend back home. Russ and I both had seared Ahi over pasta with fresh local mushrooms. Ummmmm. Now back to our room in the dark.......Glad we had made the first trip in the daylight.
we awakened during the night to a raging rain storm, the open gutters on the roof next to our bed roared with the force of the downpour. Up at sunrise, I couldn't resist going right out and exploring. The waterfall seemed to have doubled in volume as well as changing color to a dusty brown. Decided right then and there I was not going to swim in the falls that day. A light mist hung over the trees as the sun came up and I imagined I was in Jurasic Park, I expected a Brontasauras to poke his nose thru the top of the palm fronds at any moment. I did see the wild pigs roaming the grass in front of our building and as I wander into the Mac nut forest, I saw where they had tipped over a full bag of harvested nuts, and had a fine meal.
After a fine breakfast prepared to order, we sat and shared coffee with fellow travelers, then we were off to explore Hilo. Spent a couple of hours touring a formal Japanese style garden, lots of orchids and trees and flowers. Lunch at a local joint, Cafe 100, a drive-in with lanai tables, famous for it loco moco, a bowl of rice topped with meat (usually spam or hamburger pattie) and an egg and gravy over all, not for the cholestrol conscious of us. Lyman museum provided a respite from the rain, as well as an informative and entertaining look at Hawaiian culture, geologic history and photo gallery. Dinner was at another recommended cafe, Hilo has a variety of good eating places. We chose Hilo Bay cafe, upscale food, in a shopping center location. Russ enjoyed grilled island beef steak and Connie tried yet another fish, poached opakapaka, over basil polenta. Dinner rated another ONO (the best). Wednesday morning we packed up, sorry to say good by to a real peaceful and beautiful spot on the Island headed to the world famous Hilo market. Could not pass up bargins, like papayas 5 for a buck. not just your little baby ones either. Got more long beans and also wing beans, onions, pineapple and I wanted just a piece of ginger but the gal did not want to break up her bundles, so I got about 10 pieces for a buck. The trunk was full of produce when we left, heading for another Garden, Hawaiian Tropical Botanical Garden on Onomea Bay. we spent 2 hours walking thru a Jungle, Tropical Paradise, with flowers in bloom,nestled up against the crashing surf. Good thing we bought bug spray, who would have thought the mosquitoes would be that close to the ocean. We headed up coast for our next destination. Tex Drive In. Home to world famous malasadas. We lunched on sandwiches, but while they were being prepared the hostess offered the malasadas while we waited. Wow, desert before lunch....yipee. this is a crispy cream gone to heaven. A light doughnut without a hole, stuffed with your choice of fillings, like bravarian cream, mango, rasberry, lemon. Well of course we had to order some.....to take back to Kona with us, and they have held up very well over of a couple of days.
Trial and error, and only one fruit remaind that we could not eat.
Using the "blue bible", we stopped at a Ono bakery and restaurant in Naalehu, that was known for its pies. We opted to eat lunch before ordering pie, but then were too full, for a big slice of cream pie, so opted to split a mac nut pie, think pecan, but made with mac nuts.
Then on to Volcano National Park. Russ was excited to learn that he qualified for a senior pass, that now entitles him and his passengers entrance to all National Parks and Federal lands for free, after the initial 10 dollar fee, forever! The look on his face was priceless, you would have thought he won the lottery. Ranks right up there with getting his medicare card. Guess getting old still has some benies. We stopped at the visitor center, got our map and noted that most of the road around the crater was closed due to "bad air", the volcano was emiting so much gas that it was a health hazard and they had to close the roads. Not to be deterred, we continued to the road closed sign and looked at the steam vents from the vista, but as we approached the rim, the fog/ vog moved in and covered the view as the rain started pelting down. Fortunately we had visited the park on a previous trip and spent a lot of time exploring lava tubes and enjoying the Volcano in better weather. Since it was now getting late and we had been instructed to find our B&B in the daylight we left the Volcano to Miss Pele and a future visit.
Hilo, as promised, was damp and misty, we followed the printed directions turning onto a one lane road, winding 4 miles up the mountain side, thru massive tree lined tunnels. Birds chirping and frogs singing. On we went, trying to see the signposts for our B & B, Mac Nut forests now, and the roadway narrower and bumpy. Good thing it was still light. At last around a bend, we sighted our destination. A group of Japanese style, Pagoda shaped buildings,perched on a ledge overlooking a real 120 foot waterfall. We had arrived at our destination, Kulaniapa Falls. Researching a B&B on line, reading all the reviews, one never knows just what you will end up with, so we were taking a chance on this one. We were not disappointed at all. We found our upstairs corner room, looking at a view of Hilo below and the water fall roaring off of our Lani, unpacked and headed back down to Hilo for a delightful dinner at another ono restaurant, Cafe Pesto, recommend by a good friend back home. Russ and I both had seared Ahi over pasta with fresh local mushrooms. Ummmmm. Now back to our room in the dark.......Glad we had made the first trip in the daylight.
we awakened during the night to a raging rain storm, the open gutters on the roof next to our bed roared with the force of the downpour. Up at sunrise, I couldn't resist going right out and exploring. The waterfall seemed to have doubled in volume as well as changing color to a dusty brown. Decided right then and there I was not going to swim in the falls that day. A light mist hung over the trees as the sun came up and I imagined I was in Jurasic Park, I expected a Brontasauras to poke his nose thru the top of the palm fronds at any moment. I did see the wild pigs roaming the grass in front of our building and as I wander into the Mac nut forest, I saw where they had tipped over a full bag of harvested nuts, and had a fine meal.
After a fine breakfast prepared to order, we sat and shared coffee with fellow travelers, then we were off to explore Hilo. Spent a couple of hours touring a formal Japanese style garden, lots of orchids and trees and flowers. Lunch at a local joint, Cafe 100, a drive-in with lanai tables, famous for it loco moco, a bowl of rice topped with meat (usually spam or hamburger pattie) and an egg and gravy over all, not for the cholestrol conscious of us. Lyman museum provided a respite from the rain, as well as an informative and entertaining look at Hawaiian culture, geologic history and photo gallery. Dinner was at another recommended cafe, Hilo has a variety of good eating places. We chose Hilo Bay cafe, upscale food, in a shopping center location. Russ enjoyed grilled island beef steak and Connie tried yet another fish, poached opakapaka, over basil polenta. Dinner rated another ONO (the best). Wednesday morning we packed up, sorry to say good by to a real peaceful and beautiful spot on the Island headed to the world famous Hilo market. Could not pass up bargins, like papayas 5 for a buck. not just your little baby ones either. Got more long beans and also wing beans, onions, pineapple and I wanted just a piece of ginger but the gal did not want to break up her bundles, so I got about 10 pieces for a buck. The trunk was full of produce when we left, heading for another Garden, Hawaiian Tropical Botanical Garden on Onomea Bay. we spent 2 hours walking thru a Jungle, Tropical Paradise, with flowers in bloom,nestled up against the crashing surf. Good thing we bought bug spray, who would have thought the mosquitoes would be that close to the ocean. We headed up coast for our next destination. Tex Drive In. Home to world famous malasadas. We lunched on sandwiches, but while they were being prepared the hostess offered the malasadas while we waited. Wow, desert before lunch....yipee. this is a crispy cream gone to heaven. A light doughnut without a hole, stuffed with your choice of fillings, like bravarian cream, mango, rasberry, lemon. Well of course we had to order some.....to take back to Kona with us, and they have held up very well over of a couple of days.
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