Today we took advantage of the late check-out time of our accommodation Aarons Cottage slept long and had breakfast late. Around 12 o’clock we made our way to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to drive the Chain of Craters Road.
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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
The Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is open 24 hours a year round, so you can go in and out at any time. The parking entrance fee of 10 US dollars per car is really cheap, especially since the ticket is valid for one week.
The entrance to Big Island Volcanoes National Park
The Jaggar Museum & Halema’uma’u Crater
Our first stop was the Jaggar Museum, where we could see, read and learn many interesting things about the Hawaiian volcanoes. From the museum you had a good view of the Halema’uma’u crater, whose glow we observed on our private tour the day before yesterday. During the day, however, only steam rises, from the glow (as we had seen in the evening) one unfortunately sees nothing.
The Chain of Craters Road
After that we drove the Chain of Craters Road south. It passed mighty lava fields from different years, which were again very impressive. On the mountain slopes you could also see very well the differences between the two lava types on Big Island: on the one hand the “Aa-Lava”, which after solidification has a sharp-edged surface with unevenly shaped, jagged chunks. And on the other hand, the “Pahoehoe-Lava”, whose surface is very smooth.
The road is no longer completely passable, as a lava flow crossed the road a few years ago. Until a month ago you could still drive to this place, but unfortunately this is no longer possible. The road is currently being renovated, as an emergency route will have to be built for the inhabitants of the village of Péhoa in case the lava flow should cross Highway 130. Because then the road through the national park is the only “way out”. Down at the ocean we looked at the Holei Sea Arch and then drove back to Hilo.
Flight to Oahu & our hotel in Honolulu
Our flight back to Honolulu was at 6.30pm and 45 minutes later we were there. Since our onward flight to Sydney starts tomorrow at 8.15 am, we have booked a room at the Pacific Marina Inn for one night, as this is very close to the airport and offers a free shuttle 24 hours a day.
We left our rental car at the airport and wanted to use the free Shuttel to the hotel. The pick-up at the airport didn’t work out so well because we thought the shuttle had fixed departure times. However, you have to call the hotel in the arrivals hall of the airport (there is a wall where many hotels with phone numbers are on it) and then they come to pick you up. The way to the airport the next morning, on the other hand, worked very well. Our twin room was on the 1st floor (luggage towing announced), very small but clean. The fridge was a bit noisy at night. We slept quite well. In the morning there is free coffee in the hotel lobby. The hotel is located in an industrial area, so there is not much around it. In the hotel itself there are vending machines where you can buy drinks or sweets. Ok for one night, but nothing more.
Our room at Pacific Marina Inn
All travelogues from Hawaii (2015)
Our world trip led us after almost 2 months from the American mainland to Hawaii. Situated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, 3,600 kilometres away from the US mainland, the 50th state of the USA. For many, it is the epitome of the South Seas. During our two-week stay in Hawaii we visited four of the six main islands: Kauai, O'ahu, Maui and Big Island. Each of these islands has its own personality, nature and sights and offers different activities for all tastes: From the big city Honolulu with the famous Waikiki Beach, the fascinating Waimea Canyon and the breathtaking Napali Coast on Kauai, the famous Road to Hana on Maui to the most active volcano in the world on Big Island. The islands radiate a unique flair and have enchanted us very quickly with the famous Aloha charm.
» Oahu: Hawaii – Things to know, Photo spots & Travel Guide for a holiday (USA)» Oahu: Honolulu & Waikiki Beach – Our arrival in Hawaii (USA)
» Oahu: Oahu – Pearl Harbor & Downtown Honolulu Memorial (USA)
» Oahu: Oahu – Diamond Head & an island tour on Oahu (USA)
» Kauai: Kauai – Our flight to Lihue, car rental & our hotel (USA)
» Kauai: Waimea Canyon – The Grand Canyon of the Pacific on Kauai (USA)
» Kauai: Kauai – An Island Tour & The Spouting Horn Beach Park (USA)
» Kauai: Kauai – A catamaran tour along the Napali Coast (USA)
» Kauai: Kauai – A sightseeing flight over Waimea Canyon & the Napali Coast (USA)
» Maui: Maui – Our flight to Kahului & the Maui Ocean Center (USA)
» Maui: Maui – Diving & exploring the West Coast (USA)
» Maui: Maui – A drive along the panoramic “Road to Hana” (USA)
» Big Island: Big Island – Volcano sightseeing tour in Volcanoes National Park (USA)
» Big Island: Big Island – An Island Tour & Night Diving with Mantas (USA)
» Big Island: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park – The Chain of Craters Road (USA)