We got to the Big Island (Hawaii) on Sunday afternoon. The airports here are open-air in several places, and are not air conditioned. Not much is air conditioned here, and if you know Trevor, that is an adjustment for him :) We noticed when we were getting our bags, that there were Lei stations along the outside edge of the airport and each one was labeled with a large sign with the woman’s name that made the leis. It was neat. We haven’t got one yet. Saving that for Kaui and the luau.
Our bungalow for this island is near Pahoa. There is lava rock everywhere. Babette, our host, had to leave her home for three years when the last eruption happened in 2018. We took a walk our first night just a few miles from where we are staying – imagine an open parking lot area with stalls marked on the ground for a farmers market…but the ground was black, hardened lava flow. We followed the lava flow to the ocean and a remote black sand beach. It’s crazy to see this everywhere.
Our first full day here we spent at Hawaii Volcano National Park. What an experience! We drove the crater rim both east and west. The steam from the active craters steamed up our glasses and was hot! Then we followed the Chain of Craters road to the Holei arch and the ocean. Wow, the views. We also stopped off at a short hike that said something about a lava tube. We were expecting more black lava flow in the shape of a tube. It was…but we walked through it like a cave! Pretty awesome. National Parks are the best.
Hawaii is here because volcanoes erupted. We are in awe of God’s creativity. The devastation that became this wonderful place. Much more to see. But we are off to find sea turtles on a black sand beach!
Quick observations: speed limits are typically 45; no cell service; macaroni salad is a thing here – like French fries for us; we have seen feral hogs and mongoose; did I mention there is lava rock everywhere?
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