Microblog
After visiting the caldera of Kilauea, we went to the Thurston Lava Tubes, where we were able to walk through giant tubes of rock formed when lava flows crusted over like a freezing river in the winter. (Volcano, HI)
Kīlauea was really impressive. The caldera billowed up clouds of steam and sulphur which stains the rock. From the Uēkahuna overlook, we could see the lava lake at the bottom of the caldera which skimmed over with silvery cooled lava. (Volcano, HI)
Next off to see volcanoes! To get there, we drove the “Saddle Road” which goes over the pass between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. There’s nothing on that road but a military base and scrub. But the view of Mauna Loa is nice. (Waiki‘i, HI)
For second lunch (yes second lunch—don’t judge me) we headed down the road to Shaka Tacoz which got rave reviews from locals. They are technically a food truck, but they rent a building without a kitchen so they can offer indoor seating. Delicious! (Captain Cook, HI)
Catching up from yesterday… In my ongoing quest to try all the world’s regional delicacies, we had lunch at Super J’s so we could try Lau Lau. Lau Lau is a HawIian specialty that is basically pork and fish steamed in taro leaves. Not half bad! (Honaunau-Napoopoo, HI)
Sunset from the balcony of our B&B. The view’s slightly obstructed, but not half bad. (Kahaluʻu, HI)
The second and final beach of the day was Ho’okena Beach. It’s a gray sand beach—yet another color of sand I’d never seen before. This was a great beach with lots of local families enjoying the waves. (Ho‘okena, HI)
