The last time I was in Big Island was in 2010 and we covered Kona and south of Big Island in that trip. This time, we decided to do the rest of Big Island. Last time, we had covered Kona and the south of big island. So this time we decided to spend three days in Hilo and 3 days in Waikoloa. Hilo was all about the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. On 30th December we visited during the day and saw all the points, including the Thurston lava tube the Jaggar Museum Overlook and the sulfur vents. It was just amazing, but this was just the beginning. On 31st December, Aditya and I took a helicopter tour to see the lava in the caldera. We saw burning lava which was great.
But what took the cake was the second trip to the National Park at night. Adi and Anu serendipitously met a friend who said that we must see the glow of the volcano at night. I was really tired that night, and we decided to skip it. But having slept early, I woke up at 4 am and woke up my wife to ask if she was up for going. She readily agreed. The kids grumbled when we woke them up, but the next few hours were the best on the island. It was a full moon day. We reached the Jaggar Museum overlook just in time for the full moon to set. The glow from the Halemaumau crater was a sight to behold. We saw the sun rise and came back to check-out of the hotel.
But what took the cake was the second trip to the National Park at night. Adi and Anu serendipitously met a friend who said that we must see the glow of the volcano at night. I was really tired that night, and we decided to skip it. But having slept early, I woke up at 4 am and woke up my wife to ask if she was up for going. She readily agreed. The kids grumbled when we woke them up, but the next few hours were the best on the island. It was a full moon day. We reached the Jaggar Museum overlook just in time for the full moon to set. The glow from the Halemaumau crater was a sight to behold. We saw the sun rise and came back to check-out of the hotel.
We drove to Hapuna Beach where we would spend the next 3 days. On 1st of Jan, we saw the moon set, sun rise over the Halemaumau crater and sun set at Hapuna Beach.
Every day for the next 3 days, we would hit balls at the golf range, followed by two visits to the beach and evening in the hot tub. Hapuna beach is great for Boogie Boarding. Adi and I literally bruised our stomachs boogie boarding. Finally, Virgin America was overbooked so they gave us $1600 to fly to OAK instead of SFO, setting us up for the next trip!
Every day for the next 3 days, we would hit balls at the golf range, followed by two visits to the beach and evening in the hot tub. Hapuna beach is great for Boogie Boarding. Adi and I literally bruised our stomachs boogie boarding. Finally, Virgin America was overbooked so they gave us $1600 to fly to OAK instead of SFO, setting us up for the next trip!
