Big Island, Hawaii day 5

Well we have left the sunny side of the island for overcast and rain!  They were right that the climate from one side of the island to the other is completely different!  I am really starting to like this KMC place . . . our house is so cozy and nice to have all the room to spread out!  Today we are headed to the Hilo area.  Of course it is rainy but hopeful it might clear up a little later in the day.  Our first stop was at the Mountain View Bakery . . . really had no idea where it was but our friend told us it was yummy!  As I was driving, I saw the sign and did a quick u-turn.  It is a very small family run bakery and it was delicious!  We grabbed our treats and headed down the road.  The rain is not making me happy right now; I really do not like to drive in the rain.  Since it was early we stopped at the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory . . .

. . . no nuts being processed but a nice stop to test a lot of flavored nuts for free!  Due to the holiday season there was not much going on but was cool to drive through all the trees.  Back on the road with our next stop being the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens.  We took a road called 4 Mile Scenic Drive, and it sure did not disappoint.  I wasn't sure we were even headed in the right direction but just like that there were the gardens.  Thankfully they provided huge umbrellas for the visitors to use which was a big help.  The rain would poor then stop and the cycle continued most of our visit.  The gardens were amazing and beautiful!

 

. . . and the flowers . . .

. . . how can you decide which one was the best?  Not far from the gardens is a place called What's Shakin.  I  had read several reviews before we left so decided to pull in.  What a great idea!  We were just going to have a snack but instead ended up with a meal . . .

. . . it was yummy.  All the produce is grown locally and so fresh.  As I was paying I noticed these red spiky things and asked what it was.  I was told it was a rambutan.

I had never seen, heard of much less eaten one.  They were only 25 cents so bought a few.  I was hesitant . . . very, very hesitant but gave it a taste . . .

. . . it was yummy!  So yummy we bought a few more for later.  You peel the red skin off and inside it has the texture of a plum with a big seed in the middle shaped like an almond.  Even Colin tasted it even if it was just a tiny, tiny piece.  All good food is eaten so back on the road to see some waterfalls!  Akaka Falls . . .

Since food options are limited at KMC we stopped at the Walmart in Hilo.  Oh my what a mess . . . I swear no one works here because they were ALL shopping!  Let me just say our options were limited too but we managed to grab a few things for the next couple of days.  When we entered Colin asked to get a sweet treat (candy bar) and said he could when we checked out.  I wasn't paying attention and when we got back into the car he was pouty.  He told me he was being mistreated because I did not buy him a sweet treat.  Seriously kid?  I had had enough of his attitude . . . told him he should have put it in the basket.  He had some lame excuse.  Of course my parents thought it was terrible . . . I thought I  remembered seeing a 7-11 so would stop for a slurpee . . . of course we were almost back and was thinking I was wrong thankfully I found it and all was well again.  Since the Visitor's Center at Volcanoes National Park was not crowded we decided to stop and watch the film.  These films are always a great introduction to the national parks.  Of course all Colin could think about was going back to the bowling alley.  Which of course we did do and this time we all got into action and bowled with him.  It was dark when we left so thought we should drive down the road to the crater outlook and see if we could see the volcano.  Everyone had told us we could see a red glow from the lava . . . I wasn't so sure thinking they were crazy so off we went.

. . . well they sure know what they are talking about!  Granted I don't have a a camera or the skills to take a photo to truly capture the moment so the above will have to work, but we saw it!