Easter Weekend in Hilo

We spent the long Easter weekend in Hilo, visiting my grandmother and showing Bryan all the hidden corners of the island. On Friday we started early and headed south. Our first official stop (after I stopped for breakfast even though I repeatedly asserted I was not hungry when my grandmother was offering me free food) was in Punalu'u to see the black sand beach.

Pretty! Black!

There we also saw turtles. I hovered over this one until it put its head up so I could be assured it was not dead. Then we made eye contact and I got this look. I don't think he's a fan.

After Punalu'u we meandered farther south to a teeny tiny town called Na'alehu where we grabbed some sweet bread for french toast the next morning, and we enjoyed lunch at a rather bizarre restaurant with a huge EAT HERE sign.

Then we went even further south to South Point. This is where I once (twice, actually) jumped off a cliff and fairly significantly hurt myself. That's a story for another day, remind me.

South Point is also home to the most southern location in the entire United States. And who made a point to stand there and take pictures? We did!

I am further south than all of you!

Now Bryan is!

Now we are together! Can't beat that!

About a two mile walk, that feels like five, is the green sand beach. Yes, green. So we walked there. Then we swam and enjoyed this little surprise of nature.

Does it look green? I promise it is. It's truly green sand. According to my friend Google, this is one of only two green sand beaches in the world.

The sun started to set so we began the long walk back to the car. A stunning sunset rewarded our journey.

Exhausted after our two colored sand adventures, plenty of driving, lots of walking, and the late hour of the day, we traveled back north and stopped for a yummy dinner in the Volcano Village.

The next day was "Hilo day" as I coined it. First must-do was the Farmer's Market. Tutu had sent us with the grocery list of papayas and apple bananas and we didn't disappoint!

A thorough review of every booth at the Farmer's Market led us to the conclusion that these bags of papayas for only $1 were our best bet.

$1 deals make me very animated! Also, please note the free orchid in my hair. The Farmers Market rocks!

Hilo day also included errand running for Tutu, mochi gathering, and a rest at Richardson's Beach for mochi eating. Then we headed back home to cook our Easter meal with the family. Yummy, funny, and a good time with folks who share my DNA.

Relaxing on Tutu's lanai we took in the view of Hilo and waited for the family to arrive.

Day three was our mellow adventure day. We headed north for sightseeing, lushness and hiking.

If you've ever "hiked" to Akaka Falls you know I'm lying about the hiking part. It's just a humid walk. Little exercise, big reward! Check out the view of the first waterfall.

And Akaka Falls!

The rest of the day we toured the coast, stopped to look at pretty plants and stunning vistas. Then we headed back to town to catch some hula, and enjoy Big Island Candies. Yumm!

Happy weekend in Hilo.