Akaka Falls & Hilo

Thursday was our big "excursion" day. During our first trip to the Big Island, we drove all the way to Hilo and then on to the volcanoes, and it was just too much for little k to handle. We decided to avoid the screaming/crying with n and just went to Akaka Falls, which we missed the first time around, and then to a botanical garden, not too far from Hilo.

No trip through Honokaa should be made without a stop at Tex Drive In.

Mmmm...malasadas. Especially bavarian cream! This was the only place that I really wanted to go back to from our first trip.


Look at n peaking out from the backpack. That cracks me up.



So, apparently there are two botanical gardens that are in direct competition with each other. We went to our trusty friend, Yelp, to help us decide which one to go to. That is how we ended up at Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. It is not too stroller-friendly, so I'm glad that k was willing to walk. D carried n in the backpack.

Wishing Well


Nice view


Ironwood tree (my family will know why I took a picture of this ;))


Orchid


Forgot the name


Cat whiskers


Tiki and D looking like a ghost

Afterward we went on to Hilo for lunch. We were looking for local food and someone recommended L&L. We didn't really want to go there since we can get it over here (although maybe it's better over there?) so we ended up at Cafe Pesto for pizza. We had eaten at the other location last time, so we knew we would like it.


After lunch we headed a few doors down to a lunch counter that also had shave ice.

I ordered one with ice cream for k and I to share, and it was gigantic. See how it looks bigger than k's head?

On the way home, n and I fell asleep in the back seat. On the way there, and on the way back, k and Grandpa were having a long conversation about anything and everything, but mostly about k's doll named Abby. It was funny because when I woke up, they were still talking! Much better than screaming and crying.