Visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

[kaniamea]

I just came back from a day trip to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. My first impression was the road called Crater Rim Drive. It led through a lush rainforest. I expected the entire scenery there to be barren but the main crater road was rather lush and tropical. A large part of the park was closed due to the recent lava eruption and hazardous fumes in the air so I went only to some of the lookouts from where I could see Kilauea Caldera and its magnificent surroundings. From there you can get a clear view to Mauna Loa (the most massive mountain on Earth). The crater was steaming and the air had a sulphur smell. It was a little chilly and windy in the park and luckily I had a jacket. It felt like I am in another place (other than Hawaii) since I am no longer used to chilly temperatures. Most of the time it was sunny but when I was about to leave it start raining. I noticed that the road was reacting to the rain and began steaming. That was something interesting to observe. I am not exactly sure what caused this.

As a wine lover I stopped at the Volcano Winery (which is America's southernmost winery) and bought a bottle of semi dry white wine. On the way back to Kapoho the rain came down in bucket loads and I stopped for a cup of coffee at the Hilo Coffee Mill. I like their dark roasted coffee and with it I ate a brownie. The scenery in the Puna District is very beautiful and green. Now I see why. It is often times raining here.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Entrance






Volcano Art Center




Kilauea Visitor Center








Steam Vents




Kilauea Overlook








Jaggar Museum






View to Mauna Loa



Kilauea Iki Crater






Devastation Trail










Thurston Lava Tube