A day around Hawai'i
Corey Jusko
Lewisburg, PA
Toes in the Sand and Face in the Sun
Some of my most memorable vacations have been on a beach, where I can feel the warm breeze, soak up the sun, and cool off in beautiful blue waters. When gray winter skies get me down or I just need a change of scenery, I know it must be time to pl...
Some of my most memorable vacations have been on a beach, where I can feel the warm breeze, soak up the sun, and cool off in beautiful blue waters. When gray winter skies get me down or I just need a change of scenery, I know it must be time to plan a tropical getaway.
I particularly enjoy the gulf coast of Mexico. The water is warm and calm, the sunshine is abundant and there are so many resorts to choose from.
Mexico, specifically the Cancun area, offers a variety of locations and all-inclusive resorts. The choices seem endless for a couples weekend away or a trip for the whole family. The Cancun international airport is a short flight from many East coast US airports, making Cancun an easy destination for a long weekend trip.
When planning a beach holiday, there are so many decisions to make. As your travel agent, I can help you find just the right location and take care of all the details, so all you need to do is pack your sandals and swimsuits!
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During our two-week trip to Hawai’i, we wanted to see as much of the island as possible. A full day tour that would take us from the ocean to the volcanos, with a few stops in between, was just what we needed.
Did you know there are hundreds of coffee farms on the island of Hawai’i? I had heard of Kona coffee before, but never had the opportunity to try it. The first stop on our full day tour was at Heavenly Hawaiian Farms. Perched high above sea level, the coffee at Heavenly Hawaii is aptly named, as it was certainly the best cup of black coffee I’ve ever tasted. We spent time learning about the planting, harvesting, and roasting process before trying several of their delicious blends.
After a proper caffeine fill up, we were back on the road. Our next destination – the black sand beaches of Punalu’u Beach. The black sand is created when molten hot lava flows from the volcano and meets the cooler ocean waters then explodes producing black sand. It was undoubtedly one of the coolest places I’ve ever been. We even spied some sea turtles sunbathing on the lava rocks!
Continuing our tour of Hawai’i, we ventured into Volcanoes National Park. Following the Chain of Craters Road, we enjoyed stops at the Lua Manu crater, Kealakomo overlook, and a walk through the Thurston Lava Tube. At the time of our visit, there was no active eruption, but nevertheless we were stunned by the unique landscape created over millions of years of volcanic activity.
Our final stop for the day was in Hilo, on the northeast side of the island. This area is more lush and tropical as it receives on average 142 inches of rain a year, compared with less than 30 inches of rain each year in Kona. We enjoyed a beautiful vista of Rainbow Falls before venturing back to Kona.
To get back to Kona from Hilo, our driver led us over Saddle Road, which cuts right through the island. Saddle Road was once formidably dangerous, barely paved, and often barely wide enough for one car. Thankfully, it has been greatly improved over the years and offers a direct and wonderfully scenic way to traverse the state. The road passes right between Mauna Loa Volcano and Mauna Kea Volcano. Here you can really experience the diversity of Hawai’i’s weather, as it’s not unusual to go from bright sun, to driving through clouds, to misty rain.
If you're traveling to the big island, I highly recommend a day long tour that gives you a fuller perspective of all the island has to offer. Hawai’i is so much more than beautiful beaches and palm trees.