BIG ISLAND - HILO

   As we neared our destination of Hilo we were greeted with a sunrise that look like a volcano 

                                     a beautiful view of a snow capped peak

AND then we witnessed an incredible display by humpback whales. We decided our day would be best spent relaxing & wandering around Hilo. As we disembarked the ship there was a guy calling out to passengers to join his bus tour, change of plan, so off we went. There were 24 of us on the bus with the driver (and what a character he was). Malaki helped make our memory of Hilo all the more enjoyable. He took us to the markets where we bought lots of yummy tropical fruit

                                                 then off to Rainbow Falls

        Before we left for our next destination Malaki sang us a song (he had a great voice)

We drove to the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park to see the volatile Kilauea - this volcano has been erupting continuously for the last 20 years. The weather changed quite fast, it was much cooler at the volcano.

                     The crater was an incredible sight -  the air was hazy with sulphur

                                       We stopped at natural steam vents

             walked through a lava tube

                                               Our final stop was an orchid farm

We had a great day and as we said goodbye to Hilo, a mother whale & calf were only 30 metres from our side of the ship - what can I say :-)