Big Island ? re volcanoes natl park
Jan 22nd, 2003, 04:52 PM
#3
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Staying overnight is a must. I did it 2 weeks ago. Stayed at the Kiluawa Lodge in Volcano Park. $125 a night. Every room has its own wood-burning fireplace. A scrumptous breakfast is included in the price. It's as though the place is in the middle of the rainforest. Not to be missed.
Jan 22nd, 2003, 05:51 PM
#4
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Stay overnight!
We too stayed in Kona, took a long drive to see the volcanoes. For some reason it took us more like 3 hours. After 6p.m. you can go on the walk up to see the lava pouring down the hillside in the park.
We hadn't planned very well; it was a long walk, and then it rained. It was very late and we were tired when we got done and still had to drive back to Kona.
We got so tired I told my husband to pull over to take a nap in a school parking lot along the way.
We probably napped for about 30 minutes, but when we woke up, we had been locked into the parking lot by this big metal gate!
Luckily we saw a policeman driving by within a few minutes, who called the appropriate people to unlock it. Could've been a tough night.
FYI - if you plan to do the walk to see the lava (and it is oh, so worth it) make sure you EACH have a flashlight, and good walking shoes. We were in flip flops. Luckily that is my shoe of choice so I'm good at using them. That lava is very sharp in places, so wear the shoes. Also, bring water to drink.
Be careful about lava underneath you. If you notice that it suddenly feels a little hot where you are standing, look down. You may see red glowing lava between the rocks you stand on.
It happened to us, doesn't seem to be too big of a deal but something to watch out for.
All in all, an amazing experience. I would do it again every day I was there if I had the time.
Have a wonderful vacation!
We too stayed in Kona, took a long drive to see the volcanoes. For some reason it took us more like 3 hours. After 6p.m. you can go on the walk up to see the lava pouring down the hillside in the park.
We hadn't planned very well; it was a long walk, and then it rained. It was very late and we were tired when we got done and still had to drive back to Kona.
We got so tired I told my husband to pull over to take a nap in a school parking lot along the way.
We probably napped for about 30 minutes, but when we woke up, we had been locked into the parking lot by this big metal gate!
Luckily we saw a policeman driving by within a few minutes, who called the appropriate people to unlock it. Could've been a tough night.
FYI - if you plan to do the walk to see the lava (and it is oh, so worth it) make sure you EACH have a flashlight, and good walking shoes. We were in flip flops. Luckily that is my shoe of choice so I'm good at using them. That lava is very sharp in places, so wear the shoes. Also, bring water to drink.
Be careful about lava underneath you. If you notice that it suddenly feels a little hot where you are standing, look down. You may see red glowing lava between the rocks you stand on.
It happened to us, doesn't seem to be too big of a deal but something to watch out for.
All in all, an amazing experience. I would do it again every day I was there if I had the time.
Have a wonderful vacation!
Jan 22nd, 2003, 09:12 PM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Nan....
Karen has a good idea...sounds great.
Kona to Volcano Natl Park 2-21/2 hrs.
If you can...plan to walk out to the lava flow at night...it is awesome.
Another suggestion...I stay in Hilo (hour drive to park)..Dolphin Bay Hotel...small quaint hotel..very basic but friendly....about $65-70 night...check web site
Yes....stay overnight.
Karen has a good idea...sounds great.
Kona to Volcano Natl Park 2-21/2 hrs.
If you can...plan to walk out to the lava flow at night...it is awesome.
Another suggestion...I stay in Hilo (hour drive to park)..Dolphin Bay Hotel...small quaint hotel..very basic but friendly....about $65-70 night...check web site
Yes....stay overnight.
Jan 22nd, 2003, 10:54 PM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
A return trip is too much for one day.
We were on Big Island a mere two nights. I would never try to do the Volacano trip in one day. Except for from Hilo which would not allow night viewing which I think is better than day.
One night we spent up inside the park through the only place within the park that you can, the lodge, You only need a place to sleep and eat at this point. (Our other accomadations were nice beachfront condominiums throughout our stay on the islands. So, I wanted to go "rustic". We went with a $40 cabin within the park. (My husband hated it, I like to camp.... so.....I didn't. Lot's of accomodations in and around Volcano Village. There is a nice lodge in the park, I think another poster mentioned it. This is the better experience, I think.
Plan for 3 hours drive if not stopping from Kona. Yes, you can do it faster, but were talking 30 minutes "Hawaiin time" here, right? Plan much more if site seeing or snorkeling along the way. We took around 6 hours. Had lunch, etc.
Basically we circled the whole Island taking 3 days, starting in Kona, going south, a beach/jungle road trip spending time at Volcano park night viewing, snorkled along the way etc.
Spend our last night in Kona, at the Tiki Hotel. Oh, what a charm.
Let me know if you want more info! Aloha
We were on Big Island a mere two nights. I would never try to do the Volacano trip in one day. Except for from Hilo which would not allow night viewing which I think is better than day.
One night we spent up inside the park through the only place within the park that you can, the lodge, You only need a place to sleep and eat at this point. (Our other accomadations were nice beachfront condominiums throughout our stay on the islands. So, I wanted to go "rustic". We went with a $40 cabin within the park. (My husband hated it, I like to camp.... so.....I didn't. Lot's of accomodations in and around Volcano Village. There is a nice lodge in the park, I think another poster mentioned it. This is the better experience, I think.
Plan for 3 hours drive if not stopping from Kona. Yes, you can do it faster, but were talking 30 minutes "Hawaiin time" here, right? Plan much more if site seeing or snorkeling along the way. We took around 6 hours. Had lunch, etc.
Basically we circled the whole Island taking 3 days, starting in Kona, going south, a beach/jungle road trip spending time at Volcano park night viewing, snorkled along the way etc.
Spend our last night in Kona, at the Tiki Hotel. Oh, what a charm.
Let me know if you want more info! Aloha
Jan 23rd, 2003, 11:32 AM
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
I just got back from the Big Island. I would definitely stay one night near the Volcano national park to avoid a long drive from Kona. We stayed at the Volcano House -- the hotel in the Park. I would not recommend staying there. It was horrible!! There seem to be other options near the park -- there are B&B's in Volcano Village which is a mile away and there are hotels in Hilo which is a short distance away. I would look into these options. We stayed on Maui for a few days then flew to the Big Island and the first night stayed at Volcano House and went to see the lava flowing into the sea at night a great experience! The next day we drove the route through the park -- another great experience. We then drove to the other side of yhe island, stopping at Rainbow Falls for a short time, which is worth seeing. We were staying at Waikola Beach which is a little further than Kona. It was a two to three hour drive. I would definitely stay near the park for a night and explore the options as outlined above.
