Let the Sightseeing Begin

Today Pop-Pop, Mimi, Aunt Lauren, and our gang took a drive around the northern coast of the island to catch some of the must-see spots. Our first stop was the Waipi'o Lookout, which looks down on the sacred Waipi'o Valley (and its gorgeous black sand beach) which was the home of several early Hawaiian kings and the site of many important temples but now serves as home to taro farmers and fishermen. It was too bad we had neither the time nor the inclination -- well, some of us, anyway (I'm looking at you, Kate!) -- to hike down to the beach, because I'm sure it would have been worthwhile.







Our next stop was Laupahoehoe Point Park, which we learned was the site of a tragic tsunami in 1946. Now it serves as a memorial to the lives that were lost that day, but also as a beautiful spot where the lava rock meets the sea.












Our third stop was the World Botanical Gardens, where we first checked out its waterfall and spotted the bridge that plagued us on our way to find the gardens.






After a picnic lunch (the first of what would be many), we searched out what turned out to be the highlight of our garden tour: the maze.










Not surprisingly, the Ironman solved the maze first (not least of all because the rest of us were letting Emily and Kate lead the way, mind you), and apparently his victory celebration rubbed off on Kate, who gave her own cheer as we left the maze to wander the gardens.







Before we left the gardens, we checked out the "rainforest walk" which was a bit of a bust, but the cuteness of Emily and Kate walking hand in hand made it worth it!





Our fourth and final stop was Akaka Falls, which consists of two falls: Akaka and Kahuna. We made our way to the smaller Kahuna Falls first and found ourselves in the midst of a much more impressive rainforest walk, complete with a towering banyan tree just begging to be explored.






We then made the short trek to the spectacular Akaka Falls, which, again, would have made for a breathtaking hike, but we'll just have to save that for next time!








We finished our waterfall hike and made the two-hour drive home just in time to meet Mom-Mom and Poppy for a sunset dinner and welcome them to Kona.




Emily and Kate were a little out of sorts after the day of driving and sightseeing, but we all survived and got to see some pretty remarkable sites -- even if the girls will only remember them through pictures.