Hilo, Hawaii

This morning we docked in Hilo, on the Big Island of Hawaii.  The seas were a bit rough last night; the captain told us that the winds were changing direction which would cause the seas to be "disturbed" and they sure were! However, by the time we got up this morning, we were approaching Hilo and the seas had calmed down. 

We were headed to Rainbow Falls and the Kilauea volcano on our half day excursion.  While we were waiting, it was announced that one tour, to the summit of Mauna Kea, was being cancelled due to too much snow! Rainbow Falls was pretty. We had a very good guide and enjoyed the excursion. On the right is a banyan tree planted by Babe Ruth in 1930.  There were many others planted by famous people, including Amelia Earhart and Richard Nixon.  He told a lot about living in Hawaii, and on the Big Island in particular.  Everything costs about 40% more than in the lower 48 (gas was running $4.75/gallon) and has to be imported. Things like Amazon delivery take a week at a minimum.  

There was no eruption in progress at Kilauea (pictured on the left)  but we were quite surprised that it was under 60 at the crater; Brrrr! Also a nice visitor center at the summit was damaged in an eruption a few years ago and was closed.  The picture on the right is a close up of steam rising out of the crater.

Dinner tonight was excellent! I had prime rib, Mary had Coq au Vin, and we both had a macadamia nut brownie with ice cream on top for dessert.  YUM!

Unfortunately, the captain says the we will have troubled seas for this evening which does not bode well.  Time to put on the sea sickness bracelets!  We dock in Honolulu at 7:00 am tomorrow and plan do to some shopping and sight-seeing in Waikiki Beach.  While there we're also getting together with an Australian John Denver friend who happens to be vacationing in the area.