Around the World in 128 Days - Hilo, Hawaii Volcano National Park, Macadamia Nuts and More

 Travel Day 36 - February 7, 2024 - 16,846 Steps

We walk around all over the ship, but until we are on the dock it's size is never apparent. Then we look at it think it sure is huge.

Price of fuel in Hilo.

First stop on today's excursion was Volcano National Park. It was a big bus, 45 passenger I think, and there were only a few empty seats.

We were on our own, having an hour to check out the visitors center, just a quick stop where Linda got her NP stamp for the park, outside and on the trails.

Nice well kept up signs around the park, but lots and lots of visitors.

Lava is not solid as this small cave shows.

I wonder if people actually pay attention to these signs?

The yellow color is a dead giveaway that sulfur is present.

Also the lack of vegetation around the vent.

A Valley of Smoke?

This vents is more like a seam.

The summit of Kīlauea has change significantly over the centuries, including a major recent change.

They keep you far away.

The caldera.

Telephoto lenses bring you closer.

Obligatory selfie.

Linda Fiddle Head Fern art photo.

When the wind is blowing nearly 30 mph and it's in the 50's, it sure isn't warm.

My hat blew off just before this as stood at the fence, blowing over the fence. Luckily it was still within arms reach. And when it blew i tried to grab it, banging the camera against the metal railing and uttering a bad word.

Another Linda photo.

Looking at these photos is the only way we could see any detail as to what was there.

The cold wind made it hard to hold the camera still.

I wasn't going to be cold.

Fair warning: Series of unnamed flower photos coming up.

It always amazes me how huge hibiscus flowers can get.

This tree was growing between the factory and the visitors center. I will hazard a guess these might be macadamia nuts.

Where there are nuts, so can there be milk.

My purchase. Never had breadfruit in any form, but can stiil remember the mutineers tossing the breadfruit plants overboard in the Mutiny of the Bounty movie from the middle of the last century. It that doesn't make me sound old, what would.

There are those metal plates we see whenever the ship is moored to a pier. I suspect they work both ways, keeping from going either way.

Unreal1 The changed the sign.

Jose picked out my dessert today, now he's even with Grace and I guess I'm back on my own picking out my own desserts from now on.

More salt on the verandah railing.

Can guess in which direction the whale was sited?

Headstands were the order of the day.

Getting a little better at taking these whale videos.

While most everyone was crowding the railing down below a few of the smarter passengers headed up to the next deck where hardly anyone was to get their whale tail fill. After that it was sunset photo time and eveen without a sun it was still beautiful.

Sunset over Hilo.

The ships band was nights entertainment.

Nothing like a little jazzy interpretation of Beatles songs to end a great day. These four have been playing together for over 15 years having met in college in Ontario, Canada. And it really shows in their music as they are simply great.

Nick's last night. Sad to see him go, but who knows, maybe the next piano duo will have to musicians of Nick's quality.