Our NEXT visitors... and next ISLAND!

February 23 - March 1

Just as the dust had settled from our first guests visit, our plans were in motion for our next ones!

Carly's dad came to visit for two weeks--the first week with Melissa, and the next week Michael joined us. It was a jam-packed few weeks with lots of new adventures and great memories. Here are the highlights...

We went to a new Luau called "Germaines". Carly learned to Hula on stage.

Then we had a big trip planned to

THE BIG ISLAND

Melissa found a great B & B in Volcano for us to stay in so we hopped a plane, rented a car and went to see as much as we could in a single weekend!

Diamond Head Crater from the plane

The uninhabited Hawaiian island of Kaho'Olawe from the plane.

We stopped at a coffee plantation and saw Jackson Chameleons in the trees... then continued down the Kona coast to The Place of Refuge--an historic site with ancient culture and significance.

At the Black Pebble Beach, the water washing over the stones made a very unique cascading sound--like a rain stick or a bowl of rice crispies. Listen carefully to the video....

Then further down was the Black Sand Beach at Punaluu

Our B & B made for perfect accomodations at a chilly 4000 ft up the mountainside, minutes from Volcanoes National Park, and right next door to the best Thai restaurant we've experienced.

Part of the park was closed as the volcano has been acting up lately with lots of gasses and unpredictable activity, but we were still able to go for a hike into Kilauea Iki crater. It was like walking through the woods and ending up on another planet!

After it rains and the water seeps deep into the ground, it is heated by the active volcano and rises back to the surface as steam and vapor... check it out...

The next day we stopped at a free zoo near Hilo...

Rainbow Falls (above) Boiling pots (below)

As we sipped our Kona Longboard Lager and watched the sunset over Hilo Bay, we wished Melissa safe travels back to Pittsburgh and awaited Michael's arrival.

There were several snorkeling adventures, lots of relaxing on the beach, and a few hikes. Dad and Michael did a lot of adventuring on their own as well. Sadly, Carly had to work all week, Kev had to work some of the week, and the camera seemed to take a week off.

Thanks for visiting everyone!!! Truly unforgettable! :)