Part 5: A trip around the world with Anita | Big Island
In my previous blogs, I already introduced you to our ‘round the world’ where we consecutively visited Japan, Hawaii, and Vancouver. In this blog, I'll tell you more about Hawaii, and this time specifically about Big Island. Have you read my previous blogs that preceded this destination? Then click on one of the links below. Already read those? Then read on quickly!
Next stop Big Island
On Kauai, it was the largest island of Hawaii's turn: Big Island. Hawaii is the largest island of the American state of Hawaii. This island is usually called “the Big Island” to avoid confusion with the state's name. With a surface area of 10,458 km², the island is just slightly larger than Corsica.
The longest flight between the Hawaiian Islands
We flew from Kauai to the Big Island. This was the longest inter-island flight we would take. But even here, you're back on the ground within 45 minutes, and this time in a completely different landscape!
The airport runway is located right in the middle of the “old” lava, and you almost feel as if you've landed on another planet. An extreme transition after Kauai. You go from a humid, green island with a beautiful rainforest to an island with a completely different character. A very special experience.
The extraordinary and surprising landscape of Big Island
Before long, we were back in our hire car and began the 30-minute drive to our next hotel. We were still wondering if our hotel choice would work out, as the drive showed a kind of lava landscape for almost five minutes before we arrived. But suddenly the landscape changed, and we landed in an oasis of green. We felt like we were in paradise again. The hotel loomed into view, and we couldn't believe our eyes. Especially not when we stepped inside and saw the view on the sea side. Incredibly beautiful!
Activities on Big Island
Our stay on Big Island would primarily involve watching the waves on the north side, and a hike to a higher bamboo forest, which was also a fantastic hike.
But most of all, we were looking forward to the open-door helicopter flight over the (at that time) fire-spewing volcano.
Helicopter flight over a fire-spewing volcano
A helicopter flight is special in any case, and we are well aware of that, but a flight with open doors over a fire-spewing crater offers a completely different experience to a helicopter flight!
I can't possibly describe the experience when you're strapped in tightly (barely able to talk to each other) and flying over miles of lava flows. You realise that the mass beneath you doesn't just have a temperature of 1,000 degrees, but you also see that entire areas have been wiped out. With great force, the lava eventually crashes into the ocean, and from the air, you see a very large new piece of island forming in the ocean.
Fortunately, there were no fatal accidents during this eruption, but a great deal of disruption was caused. Hawaii is part of the United States and they are fortunately well-prepared for eruptions.
An impressive and exciting experience
I wasn't entirely at ease in the front seat for the first time. With my youngest son next to me, and the pilot beside him. It was incredibly exciting, but also fantastic to see what the Earth is capable of. I know I wouldn't have gotten in if there had been casualties from the eruption; that wouldn't have felt right. But now, it was very special to witness this natural phenomenon live.
After this highlight, we drove back through the crater landscape to our hotel and could tick another item off our bucket list. Recovering from another beautiful day and the adventure we experienced with our family, we looked at the photos we had managed to take with our camera. Our iPhone wasn't allowed in the helicopter due to safety regulations, but only a camera attached to your neck with a strap. The helicopter had no doors, so loose equipment wasn't permitted.
Hotel visits on Big Island
The rest of that day, we visit a number of other hotels in the area to add a few gems to our portfolio here as well. Our boys enjoyed the sea, nature and of course the wonderfully relaxed vibe that hangs in the air!
The next stop is: Maui!