Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden

We made the drive to Hilo on Tuesday (Feb. 24) in order to visit the botanical garden, which was well worth the trip! First we stopped at Onomea Bay overlook and then walked down to the bay itself.

Along the way, we met a friendly duck looking for a handout and then at the bottom of the trail found amazing trees and waterfalls that flowed out of a stream feeding into the bay.

We stopped for lunch at this amazing little place, called What's Shakin' that made fabulous smoothies and yummy sandwiches--most of the ingredients for these came from the farm directly surrounding. That is our crew sitting at the left-most table under the tent. It's for sale if you want to buy a nice little business 7 miles north of Hilo. We were joined by a red headed little bird for lunch!

Then on to the Botanical Garden itself

and here it's hard to pick photos because I took dozens....there were so many amazing and beautiful flowers--many varieties of heliconia (e.g.,lobster claw),

cats whiskers,

gingers,

tons of orchids,

giant bamboo,

and beautiful waterfalls to boot.

Last but not least, we stopped at Big Island Candies to grab some more Mika passion fruit creams--I am addicted!

City of Refuge

Under the early rulers, the laws were rather strict. If you broke a law--a kapu--you died. End of story--almost. If you could make it to the City of Refuge, the kahuna or priest could absolve you of your crime and you returned to society free and clear. As Hal pointed out, somewhat like the confessional process in Catholicism. We drove south to the City of Refuge, not far from Honaunau, and did a self-guided walking tour. I was impressed by this very determined tree that grew out of a chunk of lava. And those that looked like they were ready to take off walking.

The City of Refuge is guarded by quite a number of fearsome looking gods.

Here are my fellow travelers resting outside the wall of the temple.

Also spent a lot of time watching a photographing a turtle that was leisurely munching his/her way around some of the tidal pools.

On the way back to Kailua, we stopped for fish and salad in Honaunau and at the Painted Church (aka St. Benedict's) outside Captain Cook (the town).


At the close of the day, we carried our gin and tonics (disguised in water bottles) up the road to the closest beach to watch the sunset, except there wasn't one, exactly. Still nice, though!

Whale Watching, Temples and Dancing

Yesterday (Thursday, Feb 26) we were out bright and early to go whale watching on a 65 foot long catamaran with Ocean Sports. We did see whales, including two different mother-baby duos with escorts. Not that I could get a decent picture of anything as my camera was too slow. We were never really close but did get within 30-40 feet of the baby whales at a couple points. The flukes are prepatory to deep dives so were either the moms or the escorts.

On the way back down the coast we stopped at the temple built by Kamehameha I who united the Hawaiian islands in the late 18th and early 19th C -- Pu'ukohola

Last night we decided would also be our one night to eat dinner out as there was a free hula and fire dancing show at Mauna Lani.

Today I let the rest of the gang go off snorkeling at Honaunau and I lazed around, read, and got a pedicure.