In my last post, I wrote about the magical island of Oʻahu, which I visited during the same trip. But today, I want to take you on a journey to Big Island, the largest island in the United States’ Hawaiian archipelago in the Central Pacific. The island is parted into two main regions: the wet, rainy east side (Hilo) and the sunny, dry west side.
Hilo, on the east, is famous for its rainforests, waterfalls, and rain. It’s green and tropical, perfect for nature lovers who want to explore botanical gardens and volcanoes.
Kona, on the west side, is much sunnier and known for its beautiful beaches and coffee farms.
One of the most unforgettable experiences was our sunset trip to Mauna Kea. Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano and the highest point in Hawaii. From sea level is fifteenth in the world- 4,207.3 m, but from under the ocean is 9,330 m so it’s bigger than Mount Everest! In the top of Mauna Kea is cold and all year is snow there. So, if you are on a Big Island you can swim in the warm ocean and tunning in the morning, then skiing on Mauna Kea in the afternoon. I was there at sunset, and it was definitely one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. Those colours and amazing clouds were an unforgettable view.
Big Island has also been the backdrop for some famous movies, like Jurassic Park and Pirates of the Caribbean. Amazing rainforests make it the perfect setting for adventure and fantasy films.
Kīlauea is the youngest and one of the most active volcanoes in the world. The last eruption was a yar ago in 12th September 2023. Visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, we witnessed the Halemaumau crater. The smell there was really bad! -because the smoke from the crater is sulfur. We visited many viewpoints and walked few kilometers through the rainforest.
From exploring active volcanoes to relaxing on sunny beaches, and even breathtaking sunsets from Mauna Kea, the island offers a bit of everything.
And this is the end of my journey to Hawaii. See you in the next post, Aloha!
have you ever been in California?