We recently returned from our first trip to Hawaii!
Many friends were surprised we'd never been before since we've traveled so much and to so many places over the years. Many others were especially surprised that we were going to the big island, the one with the currently erupting Kilauea volcano. The truth is, the big island is over four thousand square miles. The southeast area of the island affected by the volcano is a small percentage of the entire island. It was a bit surreal to see the news coming from the mainland versus what we were experiencing while we were there. We felt no earthquakes, the tradewinds kept the Kona side of the island relatively "vog" free, and we traveled all over most of the island, except for the volcano zone, and it was beautiful!
I was glad that I had read James Mitchener's, Hawaii, again recently. There is so much history in his book which enriched my experience in Hawaii.
I loved seeing the differences in the various parts of the island. The Kona side is lava covered and reminds me of the lava fields in eastern Oregon. There are the beautiful mountains where we saw ranches that reminded me of similar farming areas in Oregon as well. Then there were the tropical areas that reminded me of the heavy tropical foliage found in Nicaragua, Central America or Ghana, West Africa. I was amazed at the diversity found in such a small place!
still following,
What a fantastic photo journey! Thanks so much for sharing these wonderful scenes.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Betty, for your encouragement.
DeleteHawaii is beautiful. Hoping to visit one day... esp given that my grandfather was born there!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! You must visit!
Delete...we visited the Big Island 30 years ago, it was one continual photo op. When you get upcountry the landscape looks like you are on a ranch in the old west. We enjoy the old painted church near Hilo, which was moved because of the lava flow after our visit. Thanks for stopping by and sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm happy to find your link up and reconnect with your blog. I'd lost you for a bit!
Deleteoh gorgeous! Hawaii always makes me happy too
ReplyDeleteThe beauty made me feel restored and refreshed and rested.
DeleteSo beautiful! I want to dive into that water.
ReplyDelete"The truth is, the big island is over four thousand square miles. The southeast area of the island affected by the volcano is a small percentage of the entire island. It was a bit surreal to see the news coming from the mainland versus what we were experiencing while we were there."
So glad to hear this. I thought the whole place was about to go under. :-/
The news has hurt the tourism more than the volcano, I'm sure!
DeleteI love to visit Hawaii one day!
ReplyDeleteIt is worth a visit, that's for sure!
DeleteBeautiful! We went to Hawaii for the first time this year, too. We went to Maui, though.
ReplyDeleteMaui or KauaI will be on our next visit.
DeleteLooks beautiful. Thanks for sharing, Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful! We loved our time there.
DeleteBeautiful photos! I love the Big Island, and was actually thinking this might be a great time for a return visit (I'm hearing tourism is way down right now). I recognize some of your photo locations as places I've visited. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThere are great airline prices right now because of the volcano!
DeleteSo glad you enjoyed your trip!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2018/05/check-our-catbirds.html
So beautiful! thanks for sharing! We are going to Oahu at Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWow..you got some awesome photos. Hopefully some day I'll visit, but thanks for sharing so for now I have a glimpse of the beauty there.
ReplyDeletePeabea from Peabea Scribbles
Such a beautiful place. I once lived for a short period of time on Oahu but never got to the Big Island. So glad you got to experience it.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos! I'm glad the volcano didn't ruin your vacation. I would have worried about the ash, but your photos look clear and stunning! I lived in Honolulu for six short months when I was five, and I actually remember the Kamehameha statue. I mostly remember the smells of all the tropical flowers, the pineapple and even the plastic of the fake grass skirts! I would love to go back for our 50th anniversary. That's a year from now, but any time in the next two years would be perfect!
ReplyDeleteAmazing shots, Elizabeth. Hawaii is on my list of places to visit...
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking part in the Travel Tuesday meme.