The Big Island - Akaka Falls and the Botanical Garden

Another sunrise at the Volcano. I'm sure they all look the same, but each feels so special when you are standing against them.

This morning it was shooting ferociously.

Lots of clouds again which doesn't make for a spectacular sunrise, but it gives light all the same.

The often overlooked landscape next to the volcano. Still stunning.

It wasn't raining today, but much cooler. And significantly fewer people since it's no longer a weekend. Plus, the lava level hasn't fallen yet, and I think people are starting to take it for granted. It could go down at any given moment or it could stay for centuries. Is this the new norm?

We drove to Hilo and took a the small hike to Akaka Falls. A beautiful and peaceful hike through a rain forest to the waterfall. Hardly any people were there. Although thin, Akaka Falls is twice the height of Niagara Falls.

We ate lunch at Cafe Pesto in downtown Hilo since Paul's is closed on Mondays. But it was really good. We've eaten well this trip. I had the pizza special with roasted veg and blackened ono. The crust was great, flavorful and doughy, but not too thick.

Hubs had an open faced ham sandwich with sweet potato salad which was good, too.

Drove to the Botanical Garden, which was amazing.

Countless trees.

Flowers.

Plants.

All the colors of the rainbow. 

Dangerous Fruit.

All under the lush jungle canopy.

My favorites were the cat whiskers.

And these red and yellow flowers that looked like connected flamingoes.

The Gardens were also had a waterfall and were bordered by the ocean. Waves crashed against the rocky coast.

On the drive back to Volcano we pulled over at a cemetery that had an amazing tree.

At the Haven, I finished THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN by Paula Hawkins. I really enjoyed the first half of the book, but the second half was too long and slowly fell apart. Shrug.

Had a fancy dinner at The Rim. It's the fancy restaurant overlooking the volcano at Volcano House in the National Park. You can't see the lava, but the glow is visible from the table. I had macadamia pesto pasta with chicken. Yum.

Hubs had Kona kampachi, which was outstanding.

We also had a glass of pinot noir and kona coffee brownie ice cream for dessert. Good meal, fun environment. Worth the splurge.

After dinner, we drove up to the volcano and saw some stars amidst the clouds for the first time since the night we arrived.

Only one spurt, but there was a lot of action.

Back to the Haven for hot chocolate and bed after a long and exhausting and happy day.