Trolls In Hawaii - Leaving Paradise

With so much to see and so much to do and so much fun to have, 5 days and 4 nights on the Big Island passed way too quickly. With reluctance to leave such an interesting and beautiful place yet looking forward with excitement to the next several days which would be spent back on Oahu, the Trolls boarded a plane at the Hilo Airport for the short flight to Honolulu International.

Monet Troll at the Hilo airport

On the way to the hotel, the Trolls stopped off in downtown Honolulu
to see Da Kine Bail Bonds, home of TV's Dog The Bounty Hunter.

It's not a fancy office and smaller than it appears on TV, but it was 
still cool to be there.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village on Waikiki Beach, the Troll's hotel.
The Trolls splurged on an ocean-view suite - VERY NICE!

In the cool lobby of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel

Passing through the Hawaiian Hilton pool area. The Trolls found it
amusing that the hotel is on Waikiki Beach, one of the most famous
and beautiful beaches in the world, yet the pool area was always
very crowded and busy.

Lil Dude Troll on Waikiki Beach

Floating off Waikiki Beach in Mamala Bay with Diamond Head
 in the background.

Pearl Harbor. Visited the USS Arizona Memorial where 1,177 men
lost their lives in the attack on Pearl Harbor in WWII and
remain forever below the water entombed in their ship. 

Outside table at the Tropics Bar & Grill on Waikiki Beach eating
a last meal in Hawaii before heading back to the mainland. Sad.

Walking to their departure gate after checking in bags and going
through security at the Honolulu International Airport. The whole
Troll family already misses Hawaii!

Trolls in Hawaii - Paradise Post 3

Lil Dude was a big hit in Hawaii!

After 4 wonderful days on Oahu and having fully recovered from jet lag and the time difference, it was time to board an Hawaiian Airlines flight and hop over to "The Big Island" (Hawaii) for 5 days of exploring all this amazing island has to offer.

The island of Hawaii is the largest of the 8 main Hawaiian islands. It was formed by the eruptions of 5 volcanoes. Two of them, Mauna Loa and Kilauea are still active. The island continues to grow as the erupting lava flows into the ocean.

Monet Troll in the terminal waiting for our flight

After landing in Hilo, picking up the rental car & stopping for
lunch, the Trolls checked into the Bamboo Orchid Cottage B&B
in the little town of Volcano on the edge of the Volcanoes National Park

Located in the rain forest, the B&B was a wonderful place to
stay. The "Enchanted Forest Studio" cottage was excellent!

The Trolls had a large, private balcony with the rain forest
ferns gently swaying in the breeze close enough to touch. The
balcony was perfect for having a cup of fresh brewed Kona
coffee  every morning. Perfect way to start the day!

The bed was deliciously comfortable. The Trolls turned on the
heater and left the balcony sliding door open to hear the
gentle rain that fell every night. Believe it or not, it was
a bit cold at night!

Our host Kathy was super friendly and the breakfasts she 
served every morning was delicious. The Trolls highly 
recommend this wonderful bed & breakfast!

The entrance to Volcanoes National Park is just 1 mile from
the town of Volcano

A trip to the visitor center is recommended before touring
the park

Volcanic steam vents are all over the park. Be careful getting
close to them as the sulfur smell can be very strong and yucky! 

Walk through the  interesting Thurston Fern Forest to get to 
a long lava tube to walk through 

Kilauea caldera and Halema'uma'u crater (the home
of Pele, Goddess of Hawaiian volcanoes)

This was considered a sacred place by ancient Hawaiians.
Native Hawaiians still honor and practice their traditions here.

Touring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is amazing. Seeing
active volcanoes in person is simply an awesome experience.