Thursday was our big “excursion” day. During our first trip to the Big Island, we drove all the way to Hilo and then on to the volcanoes, and it was just too much for little k to handle. We decided to avoid the screaming/crying with n and just went to Akaka Falls, which we missed the first time around, and then to a botanical garden, not too far from Hilo.
No trip through Honokaa should be made without a stop at Tex Drive In.
Mmmm…malasadas. Especially bavarian cream! This was the only place that I really wanted to go back to from our first trip.
Look at n peaking out from the backpack. That cracks me up.
So, apparently there are two botanical gardens that are in direct competition with each other. We went to our trusty friend, Yelp, to help us decide which one to go to. That is how we ended up at Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. It is not too stroller-friendly, so I’m glad that k was willing to walk. D carried n in the backpack.
Wishing Well
Nice view
Ironwood tree (my family will know why I took a picture of this ;))
Orchid
Forgot the name
Cat whiskers
Tiki and D looking like a ghost
Afterward we went on to Hilo for lunch. We were looking for local food and someone recommended L&L. We didn’t really want to go there since we can get it over here (although maybe it’s better over there?) so we ended up at Cafe Pesto for pizza. We had eaten at the other location last time, so we knew we would like it.
After lunch we headed a few doors down to a lunch counter that also had shave ice.
I ordered one with ice cream for k and I to share, and it was gigantic. See how it looks bigger than k’s head?
On the way home, n and I fell asleep in the back seat. On the way there, and on the way back, k and Grandpa were having a long conversation about anything and everything, but mostly about k’s doll named Abby. It was funny because when I woke up, they were still talking! Much better than screaming and crying.
8 Comments
AND THE HAWAII POSTS KEEP ON COMING! I like the doll's name.
Where did you get that shaved ice? I so cannot wait for our trip in June. Tex Drive In – that is a yes!!
Tiff
It was a hole in the wall, but I'll look for the business card (I'm pretty sure I have it somewhere) and let you know!
My husband and I have been looking on the net to get an idea of the rental properties available in the area. We want to relocate to the island from Texas but get scattered information on the net. By any chance do you know of a site or company we may get in contact with to help us in our quest for a new start in Heaven?
Jen,
Are you looking to move to the Big Island? Hilo side or Kona side? I can ask someone I know who rents out his place in Kona if he has an idea, but I don't know off the top of my head.
We do want to move to the big island. I am not sure what side…I like the laid back descriptions of Hilo but we like to go do things with my two little girls. I like to get them active to explore different things. I guess it would come down to a area that is safe to raise children. Ironic since we are never really completely safe but I just want some place that has more pos then neg.
http://www.konacondo.com/ is a website that someone I know uses to rent out his place and he is happy with their services.
Since I know the Kona side better, I can only speak to that side. On that side, a couple samller towns you might want to check out besides Kailua-Kona is Waimea and Waikoloa village. Waimea is supposed to have good schools. Good luck!
Thank you for the website. I really appreciate it. I am defiantly going g to look at the other villages. By the way, I don’t think I ever commented to how gorgeous your pictures are. Is it really that breathtaking there? That’s our plan. We want to live somewhere that we can enjoy the natural surroundings. I know this is a bit much, but on a scale from 1-10, how is the job market there? My job can travel with me since I work from home but my husband will be looking for work.