We docked in Hilo, Hawaii, in time to see the sunrise, and, to our west, a beautiful full moon hung over the mountain. It was an amazing scene, especially appreciated after our captain announced over the speaker that the top of this mountain is visible only six or seven times a year.
On top of the mountain are four huge telescopes used by various universities and companies. (Not visible on this photo.)
We went on an excursion to Volcanoes National Park. This was taken from the rim of the crater.
The crater from a different angle.
We hiked around the side of the crater and then down into it. Some of the terrain was very uneven, and we had to watch carefully where we put our feet!
You can see the path worn down by many hikers. We are heading for the back side of the crater.
It was warm in there, with the sun shining on the volcanic rock.
This volcano had erupted back in the 1960's, and vegetation is starting to come back.
It reminds me of a saying I had on a poster years ago, "God's love can break the hardest hearts, so faith can grow."
More foliage.
There is still steam rising from this crater at several places.
This hike totaled approximately four miles, and with the hike back up to the top, we were fairly winded!
After we came up to the top of the crater, we went through a large lava tube. This is the opening to it.
Here is another crater in the distance. Tourists are not allowed closer because it is more active. There is currently a lava flow not far from Hilo, but, of course, we were not allowed to see that..
On the way back to the ship we stopped at a macadamia nut factory. There was a little snack shop there where we all got ice cream. It was delish!
Some lovely flowers there.
The macadamia store.
Macadamia nut trees lined the road. I wished we could have stopped for a decent photo, but this was taken through the window as we were driving, so it's the best I could do.
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