Just Some Extras

 The cottage that we stayed in while at the volcano, decorates for the holidays. 

Mike just couldn't help himself.

 Yes, our vacation had a time out while the OSU game was on.

Never Fails 

But it was nice to use the fireplace in our room.

 This is like a wall of fame for all the fisherman that have made massive catches in Hawaii.

 1565lbs

 We stopped at a swap meet and I saw this out of the corner of my eye...???

Who would buy this???

 The job of a landscaper

 Magic Sands Beach

Well needed beach stop for just a couple hours

Horses, cows and goats consume this island

 Still just cant get enough of this place.

The Big Island: The Most Southern Point in the US & Green Sand Beach

 This is what the most southern spot in the US looks like.

Kinda close to the tip is the Green Sand Beach

Its a 3 mile walk one way.

There are locals willing to drive you down and back in their 4x4 vehicles. We decided to hike down and save some cash. (Note for next time: don't wear flip flops)

 Its a flat hike pretty much the whole way. The only thing is that is is crazy windy so your getting pelted with dirt/sand. We were exfoliated and orange (from the dirt) by the time we actually made it to the beach.

We opted to spend $10(each) for a ride back to our car after we spent a couple minutes checking it all out. The driver said the sand is usually a lot greener when the wind isn't so harsh.

The Big Island: Sugar Mill, Kings Statue & Two Amazing Lookouts

We stumbled on this old Sugar Plantation by accident when we made a wrong turn.

Hakalau Mill

It was destroyed in the 1946 tsunami.

  

Waipio Valley Lookout

I really wish we were able to do the crazy hike in this valley.

The 13th tallest waterfall in the world can be seen here.

This is the very first statue of King Kamehameha, now they are all over the islands.

Pololu Valley Lookout

Its Finally Christmas in my House! But I will now have get a second job!

We are so late this year with our Christmas Decorations!

Sense we were going to be on vacation, and didn't want our friend that was staying with Bolo to have to take care of a tree also, we decided to get one later on when we got home. 

Well, we learned our lesson with waiting! 

Passing by the place (on base) where we got our tree last year, and seeing that they have absolutely NONE left, we made our way out of the gates to look around in town. 

Lets just say, I have never in my life spent so much $$$ on a tree...EVER! 

I'm actually cringing thinking why we even bought one at this price.

Its the smallest tree Iv probably ever had too. I'm talking like barely 5ft.

I understand that they have to ship them from the mainland, but OMG!

So, we will be enjoying our EXPENSIVE, TINY tree for a total of 10 days.

Anything for a Merry Christmas I guess.

The Big Island: Black Sand Beach X 2

We stopped at two different Black Sand Beaches while on The Big Island.

Punalu'u is the popular touristy spot.

Its known for the turtles that relax here.

The second one was in Kaimu.

This was a small town that was destroyed by lava in 1990. 

 There is a school bus half buried by lava out here that I couldn't find.

The Big Island: Rainbow Falls & Akaka Falls

Rainbow Falls gets its name from the rainbow that appears from the mist water at the bottom. 

Sadly, we didn't have one today.

It is said that the cave under the falls is the home to a ancient Hawaiian goddess.

Looking at the top of the falls.

Akaka Falls

422ft

The Big Island: Crater Rim Drive- Kilauea Crater

 Crater Rim Drive is a road that goes all the way around the crater of Kilauea.

I of course was a little disappointed that half the road was closed due to the sulfur gas.

I think if you wanna roll up your windows and risk it...they should let you. 

What do I know though!?!

 The Jaggar Museum is the farthest that they will let you go. 

Its a good spot to check out the steam.

 Your able to go back at night and see the glow.

 I thought this was pretty cool.

Scientists are predicting, if the lava continues to flow into the ocean, that in about 10,000- 100,000 years from now the bottom part of the island (Loihi) will be the new land, and The Big Island will be even bigger! 

The Big Island: Manta Ray Snorkel

For me, this was the reason I wanted to visit The Big Island.

I have heard so many amazing things about the tour to snorkel/dive with the Manta's. 

The top 10 most amazing things to do in your lifetime - Travel Channel 

I booked with Big Island Divers.

Everyone that made Yelp reviews loved them.

We had good weather, and calm seas, so things were going great so far.

I was hoping for a little of a extra show because of it being whale season...no luck.

 Once we got to the spot where the Manta Rays are (about 30 min boat ride), we anchored and waited for the sun to set while learning some info all about the creatures. 

Backing up a little...before we even left on this trip, I had a Dr.s appointment and asked her what I could take for my sea sickness....because EVERY TIME I step onto a boat, I loose my lunch!

She prescribed me something for prenatal nausea.

I took it before we left to meet at the boat.  

So as we are rocking and I am starting to sweat, we still have to put our wet suits on...which mine definitely smelled like pee...that did not help!

(Anyone that is reading this...peeing in a wetsuit is the worst thing you can do. You can never get that smell out!)

Anyways, I knew I just needed to hold it together because once I get into the cool water, things would get better.

We finally jumped in, after it felt like 4 hours of bobbing and swaying.

They constructed a surfboard with PVC pipe around it so everyone holds on to that while we swim to where the lights are.

Manta's eat plankton, and plankton are attracted to light.

 These fish also eat plankton, so there were a lot of them too.

 This is where I wish things were just a tad different. 

There are divers underneath us snorkelers. So every time the divers breath, the bubbles come up and make it really hard to see.

Maybe if they had two separate areas? It wasn't that big of a deal, but I would have been nice to not be consumed with bubbles for the whole 45 minutes. 

(I'm probably just jealous that I couldn't dive with them)

I'm still a little depressed about this next part.  

We saw 2.

zwei.

dos.

Two!

They said there record war 42!

WHYYYY!?!

So, with that said....

I have the WORST pictures that you could ever imagine.

Yes, that is it.

:( 

I am so grateful that there was even two at all because it could have been even worst. 

It was a amazing experience, and I'm glad Mike gave in and did it with me...(he wasn't thrilled about the idea)

So on the boat ride home....I did end up loosing my lunch, and dinner...never fails. 

I think that was my last boat ride for a VERY long time.

The Big Island: Mauna Kea

This was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!

Probably one of my favorite things that we were able to experience.

This is the tallest mountain in the WORLD! (below sea level)

33,100ft (below sea level)

13,796ft (above sea level)

 They do not recommend pregnant lady's going to the tippy top. :( 

So we stayed at the visitor center that was around 9,000...then we hike up a small mountain to watch the sunset.

Above the clouds

Looking at the Visitor Center and the top of Mauna Kea.

The top of the mountain has 13 telescopes from eleven different countries.

Overlooking Mauna Loa

(known as the "long" mountain)

(almost as tall as Mauna Kea)

After the sunsets, the visitor center brings out telescopes to star gaze.

I definitely felt like this was once in a life time experience.

The Big Island: Chain of Craters- Holei Sea Arch & The End of the Road

Chain of Craters Map
- This road is 18.3 miles long (one way) with numerous places to stop.

The 60ft sea arch was formed by wave erosion.

 The end of the road...literally.

 This is from the 2003 lava flow.

 If you continue hiking past this spot towards the ocean, you would be able to see where the lava is entering the water...but because it is just my luck, we came at a time when the lava has stopped for the time being.