Tuesday, February 19, 2008

TRAVEL TUESDAY ~ HAWAII'S BIG ISLAND








Okay, so I've been MIA with Travel Tuesday the last few weeks and I missed going to far away places, if only in my computer. So let's go on with our tour of Hawaii and visit the Big Island of Hawaii. I have never been to the Big Island (only to Oahu and Maui) but this is on my list of must see places in my life. I really want to see the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park someday, it looks fascinating.

So let's get to know the Island of adventure. The Big Island is the Hawaii of postcards. When you go inland, the Kona Coffee Belt is a long stretch of coffee farms (one more reason to visit here). The coffee plants bloom with white flowers in the springtime and ripen to red berries in the fall. In the fall there is also a Kona Coffee Fest. Now I know I would love to see that! :-)

A short drive from Kohala, in Waimea, is the Parker Ranch where the spirit of cowboys live---Hawaiian style. Then go over to the east of the island to Hilo and cruise the famous Banyan Drive and see the Rainbow Falls and shop and eat at the restaurants and shops that line the area of historic Victorian homes.

And of course you have to visit the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The rim drive of Kilauea Caldera----the rimmed basin of a collapsed volcano----offers many stops for viewing fresh lava flows, steam vents and scenic overlooks.

You can also go by car to the summit of Mauna Kea, the world's highest mountain if measured from its base on the ocean floor.

Hope you enjoyed our visit to the Big Island. It only makes me want to go there today. Look at the great photos above. That black sand looks fascinating. Okay so we've been to Oahu, Maui, Kauai and now the Big Island of Hawaii. There are still two small islands to do and we'll go there next week. We are going to Lanai and Molokai next week. As they say in Hawaii "Kipa hou mai"

Come visit again and after you've been once I am sure you'll want too.


7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Doing the hula and singing "Tiny Bubbles" here
*wink*
I would give my eyeteeth to go there someday!

Have a wonderful day!

Irene said...

It sounds wonderful. My husband and I were just saying today that when the kids get a little older, we need to try to take a little vacation in February. This time of year we are so done with the snow and cold. We need a break!

Hawaii sounds wonderful. I hope to get there, to the islands other than Oahu, someday!!

Justabeachkat said...

We were there in February 2004. Loved it!

Hugs!
Kat

Nunnie's Attic said...

I've missed Travel Tuesdays. With all of this stinkin' bitter weather in these here parts - it's my only opportunity to get out of the house! I thoroughly enjoyed this visit and I can't wait for next week!

Love,
Julie

Donna said...

OK Now...What did 'ja do with Elvis??? Blue Hawaii?? LOL
Beautiful island!

Sandi McBride said...

It's so much fun to take the tours with you Joan. I hope there will come a day when I can travel again...I love to fly...altho Mac says if God had intended him to fly he'd have given him wings...did I mention his feet are like pontoons, explaining his Navy Career and the boat sitting parked in my side yard...)have a little something for you at my place.
hugs
Sandi

Knit-Wit said...

We are celebrating our 20th anniversary in Nov and hope to make Hawaii a part of that... if we can save up enough money by then.