Well the vacation is winding down. We’ll be heading back to reality first thing in the morning but there are still a couple of “Must-dos” before we climb aboard American Airlines for our very long flight back. We have our flight over the Island and what trip to Hawaii would be complete without a Lu’au?
Bright and early, very early, we headed out to Kona International Airport. We were looking for the terminal for Big Island Air. Our tour was to take us over Kilauea where we hoped to see the fiery red lava that we couldn’t see from the ground. After the volcano we were promised the flight would take us around the whole Island. We considered a helicopter ride to the volcano but went with the fixed wing because we would get to see more of the Island than just the volcano. Next trip I definitely want to try the helicopter!
Before we could climb aboard, we had to get weighed. Now anyone who has ever struggled with their weight can tell you a public weighing is about as much fun as being tarred and feathered! They had to convince me before I would agree. The weighing is required so that they can assign seats that evenly distribute the weight. That is especially true in a small plane. Anyway we were finally on board where we were given head phones so the pilot could talk to us and we could hear the “tour banter”.
As we approached the volcano we could see the “Vog” where the hot lava goes into the sea. It was really cool to see it from the air after having seen it from the ground but we didn’t linger long over that area. We were headed to the main active vent that is feeding the eruption. The land we were flying over was pretty desolate looking. Steam was venting in numerous places where the lava flow was near the surface. The lava is traveling from the vent though lava tubes to the ocean. Occasionally we’d get a glimpse of the red lava where the roof of a tube had collapsed.
Then we were over the vent. Steam billowed up making it hard to see the lava in the crater. The pilot put the plane in a steep bank and circled tightly around the crater so we were able to get some glimpses of the boiling lava before the smoke blocked the view again. Then to be sure everyone had a chance to see, he banked in the opposite direction and circled again. As we circled a helicopter passed below us and right over the vent! Talk about up close! About that time I started to think this might not have been such a good idea but he straightened out before I embarrassed myself. It was exciting but also a little disappointing. The pilot said that the best way to see the lava is at night when the glow stands out. Hmmm another item for the “to do” list.
Having circled sufficiently to make sure my breakfast was well mixed, the pilot headed back out toward the perimeter. Even the area that hadn’t been covered by lava or burned looked pretty bad. The pilot explained that the “Vog” is primarily sulfuric acid so when it rains they get very strong acid rain and that it is killing the vegetation.
As we continued on the landscape changed and became green again and he began to narrate the sights. Part of his talk stated that the opening scene of Jurassic Park was filmed here and flew us into the canyon that he claimed was used. I am withholding judgment on that because I had always heard that Jurassic Park was filmed on Kauai but it made for a nice story and the scenery was certainly dramatic enough.
Landing back at Kona, we were given a souvenir DVD of the trip…or so they said. Imagine our disappointment when we got back home and played it only to have an advertisement for Big Island Air!
We still had time before the Lu’au so we went shopping again ! The Lu’au was also in Kona and they told us at the resort that we would really enjoy it. A lu’au is an all -you-can-eat island feast with Polynesian dance. The main course is the Kalua pig which has been cooking in an underground pit called an imu. There is a whole ceremony for the unveiling of the roast pig. I can tell you, the slow roasting made that pig one of the most tender I have ever eaten!
The were tons of lu'aus to chose from but we settled on the Island Breeze La’au. Their advertising says they are the only beachfront Lu’au in Kona. The whole Lu’au is steeped in tradition and pageantry. There is even an opening ceremony where the Hawaiian King and his entourage arrive on traditional boats and formal procession to the lu’au. Once they have entered the guests are allowed to enter. What follows is a huge show of Polynesian dancing. It is not limited to Hawaiian dances but rather covers many of the different traditions of the South Pacific. The finale was the fire dancer! All I can tell you is that this was amazing!
The night wasn’t over because we still had to get back to the resort. Of course it started to rain and the fog rolled in making navigating the hairpin curves on the mountain “hairy” to say the least! Still it was worth every hair raising minute of the drive back.
www.aloha-hawaii.com/dining/samoan+fire+knife+dance
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