Akaka Falls

We drove across inland to the Hilo area which is on the southeast side of the Big Island, known for some spectacular waterfalls.  The first one we stopped at was called Rainbow Falls, which was somewhat disappointing.

Rainbow Falls

 

 

 

There was however some interesting vegetation - this banana leaf grove and a huge banyon tree.

 

 

"Jail bird"

 

 

 

 

 

Our next stop was the 'Boiling Pots' - which was very unremarkable, thus explaining why there wasn't a car in the parking lot when we arrived - I don't even have a picture of this stop.  Back in the car, headed off to Akaka Falls!

 

 

 

Akaka Falls

 

At the entrance to the Akaka Falls Park we had our picnic lunch, read the information signs about what we could expect to see, and then headed off down the paved trail.

 



 

 

 

The exotic plants were everywhere, and it was very much a tropical rainforest.

 

 

We're almost at the lookout point.   Note the tiny black spots on the railing here... they were all along the top rail and we didn't notice them at first, like little black inch worms moving along everywhere!  Ken had his hand on the railing and didn't feel them, although Barry had thought he felt something dropping down on him from the trees just prior to us seeing them.

 

 

 

 

The falls were pretty amazing, it was a long ways down.  

 

 

 

  Continuing our walk along the circular route brought us past these mini-falls on our way back to where we started from, in all it was about a thirty minute walk.

 

 

 

 

It was another day in Paradise, now today it's off to see some whales!