The Best of the Big Island - Part 3

This last "installment" of the Best of the Hawaii, the Big Island has been percolating in my mind for over a month now.  With Christmas and all, it seemed out of place with all those blogging about cookies, cakes and sweets.  But, I'm ready to divulge the BEST with a day trip to volcano country.  Off to Kilauea we go.

Madame Pelee was in a very good mood that day.  The lava was not flowing like you see in all the pictures, however it was spewing a bit of ash and smoke.  If we had gone another 1.5 hours drive toward the ocean we might have been able to view the lava flowing into the ocean.  Maybe next time.  On this trip we hiked the edge of the crater. (I think it was a 4 mile round trip)  Destination, Jaggar Museum, (hoping to see Mick there, ha ha, but all we saw were displays of history and seismic activity graphs, etc)


Hope this doesn't erupt, now!


The volcano is a "must see" and being a "foodie"  I was more than eager as we veered into a rest stop/bakery on the way and BACK (It was that good!) for lunch and a snack.  One minor problem was that I was "in maintenance" on my diet plan and what appeared before me was definitely not on the plan.  I snapped a few pictures and triumphantly stepped away from the display case, empty handed.  How was I to know that my hubby was experiencing a sweet tooth meltdown!  What he chose, I would not have chosen, but, he needed help so I took a bite or two of his blueberry turnover!  Amazing!



Can I have one of each?!!



If you're ever in the area you need to stop at the Punalua Bake Shop which is the southernmost bakery in the USA.  It warranted a second visit on the return trip!

Making it back to our friend's condo in Kailua-Kona area, we stopped briefly, shared some libation on the deck overlooking the ocean and then set off for the return trip North to our hotel.  The sun was beginning to show its colors as it sank into the ocean.  Another beautiful finish to an adventurous day!

But wait!  On the way back we happened upon an eating place that served some of the best fish tacos I've had in a long time.  It was an unassuming place on the harbor just south of the airport. "Bite Me"  was the name of the place!   It looked like some one's backyard with red picnic tables scattered around the area.  Not much ambiance but my tacos made up for it.   If you're looking for great fish tacos at a more than reasonable price ($2.50 each!) check this place out.

After a days "rest" with only beach activities, walking, snorkeling, swimming with turtles, we headed back out in a different direction, this time to Hilo.  More in Part 4 of the BEST of the Big Island!