Below is a link to our photos of the amazing Big Island of Hawaii. 
I also posted this link at the end of my longer trip report.
The Big Island of Hawaii is my favorite island in the world because of the wonderful variety of things to see and do there, and the natural beauty. We enjoyed swimming with the honu (green sea turtles), driving up to breathtaking Mauna Kea at over 13,000 feet, exploring the stark and inspiring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and stopping at an organic Kona coffee farm in the hills above Kona.
We found the Big Island of Hawaii to be friendly, and NOT ruined by tourism. It felt more "Hawaiian" to us, as compared to Maui and Kauai. On the Big Island you don't have to go far to get in touch with the culture and history of Hawaii.
I highly recommend the Shipman House B&B in Hilo on the green side of the Big Island. Hilo is a local's town, and we can't wait to return to Hilo on our next visit! It makes a wonderful base to tour the east side of the island. Would we stay at Shipman House B&B next time? Yes, definitely!!!! Can't wait to to back!
We also stayed at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel on the Kohala coast. It was expensive but nice for an anniversary stay. We swam with the honu (green sea turtles) right at the Mauna Lani's beach! Would we stay at the Mauna Lani again? Maybe, but I might also try someplace new next time.
Hope you enjoy a selection of our photos below. I would also like to mention that we have been to various islands in the Caribbean, including St. Kitts, Virgin Islands, Dominica, and St. Lucia...as well as to Kauai and Maui. For me, the Big Island of Hawaii is now my #1 favorite island in the world!
https://picasaweb.google.com/wingsonmysandals/BigIslandHawaiiJanuaryFebruary2012AnniversaryTripPublicAlbum?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJqVkNT74cWzYQ&feat=directlink
PHOTOS Big Island Hawaii Trip Report: Papayas in Paradise!
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25 responses; most recent on May 22, 13 at 08:18 PM
BEAUTIFUL pix. Thanks for sharing! I'm ready to go ... just for the breakfasts
.
Really lovely. Makes me want to rethink Kauai!
Thank you for these! I can't wait to go for my first time this July!
Hmmmm, I have been debating between Kauai and Big Island for a first time trip to Hawaii for summer 2013. I thought I had decided on Kauai, but this makes me think perhaps I should reconsider.
Great pics! Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful! Makes we want to go back tomorrow!
Loved these photos. Thanks. Want to climb in and devour a couple of the dishes.
We spent a week each place during our Honeymoon waaaaaaaaaay back when.
Our favorite place is Paradise is the North Shore of Kauai - and a very very close second is the Big Island. Hey - try to do both.
It's not that hard to get from one island to the other, and the outer island airports are small with rental car counters right there. Usually - if we lug along our snorkeling/diving gear - one of us goes to get luggage and the other picks up the rental car and then we be zipping along in no time. :
We're on the B.I. now, enjoyed the Mauna Kea shots especially
TravelingMan76: Yay, enjoy the Big Island! Mauna Kea is amazing and of course impossible to capture the true grandeur with an ordinary camera.
Tomsd: We also loved the North Shore of Kauai...that was a number of years ago! I'd love to go back there. But I really fell in love with the Big Island as my #1 overall. We like to do one island at a time.
sassy_cat: Yes me too...I want to go back too!
DanM: You're welcome.
spirobulldog: Good luck choosing between 2 beautiful islands...Big Island and Kauai! Kauai is certainly lovely as well, and I like summer on Kauai for swimming and snorkeling. But I just love the people, culture, history, and variety of amazing natural scenery on the big Island.
willowjane: Enjoy your first trip to the Big Island this July! I look forward to your trip report and any photos. Which side of the island are you staying on?
rncheryl: Thanks. I think you will enjoy either Kauai or the Big Island! Kauai was my first trip to Hawaii; Maui was second; and the Big Island was my 3rd trip to Hawaii. Big Island is my favorite of the three. But my husband does want to try Oahu just for kicks, even though it's more touristy...and more crowded...but it's also easier to fly to, direct from San Diego.
Songdoc: Oh yes definitely I agree...I would return to the Big Island for the breakfasts alone! I find myself experiencing an endless insatiable hunger for fresh tropical fruit ever since I returned from the big Island. We can buy papaya and mango in San Diego sometimes, but it's not as good as it was in Hawaii.
HI Melissa,
Could you share your Big Island itinerary? We are going to be on the BI for a week in July. We have 4 nights booked at the Mauna Lani already, but have not planned anything else.
Thanks,
Robin1
Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos! What do you mean by view of the saddle?
cheryl, when are y'all going back to Kauai? We are going in March, but going to The Big Island first.
Thanks for the pictures. We will be on the Big Island the month of Feb 2013 and look forward to seeing all this!
Wow...if you have not shared the photos, I wouldn't have to wonder and think how much I should save to be able to go to Hawaii. Can you give me an estimate, so I can plan ahead? I'm more the outdoorsy type so no fancy hotels for me, and I have no qualms on food...thanks.