The Right Way to Fall

Day 3- After successfully hitching our way from the Kona side of the island over to the Hilo side, our last driver kindly dropped us off at enterprise where we had a car booked!! It felt good to finally be mobile. Although we'd be lying if we didn't admit that we felt really cool hitch hiking. Trust me, we did. Especially Mike. <eye roll> After picking up some groceries for the rest of the week we headed to our home for the next 7 days. We rented a room in a guy's home for $36 bucks a night off Air bnb. Compared to the rest of the accommodation on this island, this is a steal. After getting settled in we headed to Rainbow Falls. 

Rainbow falls is a waterfall that is 80 feet high and 100 feet in diameter. The scenery that surrounds it truly makes you feel like you're in a real live Jurassic Park. You have the freedom to explore on your own and swim in the rapids.

From here we walked to the rocks behind the waterfall. 

This was definitely a favourite so far. The volcanic rock that makes up the island looks like something you would see at Disney land. It never ceases to amaze us how the volcanic rock acts as the perfect canvas for a landscape painted by over 3000 different species of plants. You can drive along the highway and not see the same type of tree for kms at a time. The sheer hight of the trees is breathtaking. 

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Day 4- We hit the road for Waipio Valley, which is on the north side of the island. There is a steep road that takes you into the valley. Only 4 by 4 vehicles can make the trip and they don't do it for free so we hiked it instead. The road gains 800 vertical feet in 0.6 miles. Apparently it is one of the steepest roads in the United Stated and possibly the world. Needless to say my glutes are hurting today. 

Once in the valley there is a beautiful waterfall in the distance. The trail was closed... something to do with ancient burial sites. 

When the valley opens up to the ocean the sand is black, ultra fine and as hot as hell. Kind of how Kassie likes her men. :)

                                        

The greenery was lush and untouched in the valley. There are some farmers/hippies who live there and in my opinion they have settled into a modern day version of Eden.