The Big Island

We were a little nervous to go to the Big Island, we had heard that there wasn't as much to do, and there was a LOT of driving. So we were pleasantly surprised when we had a lot of fun. The first day we were there we went to Kahaluu Beach Park. This turtle came up on the rocks right at the edge of the water. Dax and I didn't even have to get wet to see it. Dax thought it was the coolest thing ever.

In my opinion this beach was the best snorkeling spot we went to. There were rocks blocking the waves so it was easy to get in the water, and there were a ton of fish everywhere. Plus there was a great shallow, calm spot for the kids to play in without worrying about them getting run over by the waves, Dax even got in the water here.

Bob and Sue offered to watch the kids on Tuesday so we could go a Night snorkel trip to swim with Manta Rays. I was so nervous to go swimming in the ocean at night, but once we got out there I was fine.

We were on a huge foam ring with a bunch of people from our boat, we all had to shine our lights into the middle of the ring to attract plankton, which would attract the Manta rays. We waited out there for about 30 minutes and all we saw were these fish and plankton. (the white stuff in the water) Our guide finally decided we weren't going to see any Manta Rays and had us start swimming back to the boat. About half way one of the other guides went back to check, and of course there was one there, so we all headed back.

The Manta Ray was so cool, I was very glad we got to see at least one.
Bob and Sue went on a Night scuba trip the next night to the same spot and saw at least 6 Manta Rays.

Our guide found this for us on our way back to the boat the first time. It is a pencil urchin, the only urchin that is safe to touch. (I think)

All Tyler wanted to do on the Big Island was see flowing lava. Unfortunately there was too much sulfur in the air and all the roads were closed to get to the lava flow. We at least got to see some cool lava rocks.

I LOVE history and I was excited to go to go to ancient Hawaiian sites and learn about their history.

This was a temple (I think) that King Kamehameha built. We could not go in, you had to be Hawaiian and practice their ancient religion. I still thought it was interesting.

This was a place for one of the Hawaiian Princesses. It cost $8 for each of us to get in and you couldn't take any pictures inside. Call us cheap, but we didn't feel like it was worth it.

I was a little disappointed in all the historical sites we went to.

On Thursday we went to Hilo. We were excited to go to the Mauna Loa factory, but we were a little disappointed. We all agreed that we are to spoiled by the Tillamook Cheese factory to enjoy smaller factories.

This is the Big Island Candy company, another factory we were excited to try. Disappointed again, but they had GREAT samples.

They also had really cool displays. (just trying to make things even, can't show a picture of one kid without the other, I don't know how we will do it with four! Don't I look HUGE, and I am only half way!)

Bob and Sue decided they had to see the lava flow so they went on a helicopter ride around the volcano. They loved it and definatly thought it was the money. (we decided not to go because we have to pay Dax's hospital bill, not something we were figuring into our vacation expenses.)

This is what Tyler had to settle for to see the lava.

While Bob and Sue went on the helicopter ride we went to the Lyman Museum. My maiden name is Lyman, so of course I wanted to go and check it out. We got there a couple of minutes before it closed so we didn't get to look around , which is a bummer because it looked like it would have been fun.

Our last day in Kona we spent a lot of time at the beach.

This is our last sunset, we were sad but excited to come home.