Helicopter Tour - Part Two: Waterfalls
After seeing the volcanoes we flew to Hilo for a rest and refueling stop. From there we began the second stage of the helicopter tour to see rainforests, beautiful waterfalls, valleys and breathtaking rainbows. The amazing thing here is that this plush landscape a few thousand years ago was as desolate as the lava field we had just seen. This beautiful paradise is growing; flourishing on a foundation of lava rock. Definitely a must see! Thank you to Toshi, our pilot, for a safe, funny, informative experience of a lifetime and for bringing us closer to the beautiful, awesome wonders of the island , and certainly closer to God.
Jeff and I got back from the helicopter ride, grabbed our snorkel gear and drove south about 20 miles to the Place of Refuge. We checked out the national park there and then went on to the beach to snorkel. There were two choices to enter the water, there is a walk-in beach and a grouping of lava rock. Joyce chose the walk-in and Jeff the rocks. Joyce later moved over to enter the water off of the rocks. The reef was too amazing for words. The colors, the shapes of the fish, brain corals, sea urchins, Ulua, Yellow Trumpetfish, Needlefish, Parrotfish, Wrasse, Yellowfin, Goatfish, Surgeonfish, Triggerfish, Butterfly fish, Damselfish, to name a few. Afterward we headed back to Kona and ate dinner at Bongo Bens.
The next day we had another lazy morning. Walked along the shoreline, stopped for breakfast where we ate prime rib hash and crabcakes and eggs while watching the town wake up and the parasailing boat launch into the water at the pier to begin giving rides. We decided to drive North then East today and take Saddleridge road into Hilo. From Hilo we went North. The side trips on that section were very scenic and beautiful, quite tropical. One of the scenic routes took us 4 miles down to the sea where there were high cliffs and great splashes of the sea throwing herself against the cliffs. We went up 2000 feet to see a beautiful waterfall at Akaka Falls park. The park had a walkway that went in a circle with a view of yet another waterfall, Kahuna Falls. There were huge tropical plants that were Jurassic Park huge! Huge clusters of 8-inch diameter bamboo.
We left the park and checked out a few more goecaches. Found a token that traveled to Hawai'i from the Czech Republic. Enjoyed our best dinner ever at Don the Beachcomers restaurant. After dinner we once again enjoyed the tide coming in from the lanai. This just doesn't get old. Friday, October 22, 2010 Woke up at 6:30, enjoyed a couple cups of Kona coffee and watched the tide go out from the lanai. Jeff went out snorkeling off the lava rocks at the base of the condo. Joyce enjoyed some sunshine and boat watching while spotting for Jeff. When Jeff got out of the water he was amazed at all the fish and coral even in this location which was not supposed to be one of the 'good' snorkeling spots. He even swam with two sea turtles while he was down there. We took a swim in the condo pool, relaxed for a short wile and then got ready for dinner. Returned to Don the Beachcomers and were not disappointed. It began to rain while we were enjoying our meal. The rain came down pretty heavy for a couple of minutes but then tapered off to a light sprinkle. The waitress moved us one table further in on the patio so we would stay dry. Got wet anyway on the way back to the condo-but it was only a couple of doors down. From the dry cool comfort of the sofa we watched the rain fall into the ocean.
