Heelo from Hilo

We had a nice relaxing day here in Hilo. Just what the doctor ordered. Hoppy’s a bit better although seems to be on and off with a temp. He’s been on Prednisone, antibiotics and the nebuliser three times a day so something’s gotta give. The Candy Doc seems satisfied and he doesn’t have to go back unless things go downhill again. Bad news for Hop.  Once again the warmongers and glorylovers are at it. Leaves me cold. I turned off the lecture about Hawai’i for the constant references to battlements, monuments, plaques, and now there are planes roaring constantly overhead to spoil the tranquillity of the harbour and the island atmosphere. When will they get over it? Our bus was quite small and the 18 aboard left 6 more seats so we spread ourselves. The driver/tour guide was from the States but lived on Oahu 10 years before buying a 5 acre block on Hilo for $500 to set up a lime orchard 25 years ago. That didn’t work so well because the sulphur from a recent volcanic vent sends up sulphur fumes which burn the buds off the trees – so he’s tour guide. Anyway keeps him out of his wife’s employ. She has too many jobs for him. He’s got the Hawaiian spirit easily enough. Where he lived you can still buy acreages  for $10000. - $60000. Anyway he was informative and occasionally amusing. I was initially concerned it would be too vigorous for the Hop but in usual US fashion they warned unnecessarily. We set off and first went to the Big Candy where they make shortbreads dipped in chocolate and macadamia dipped in choc and all kinds of other variations on those two themes. This is all done by ladies standing at their stations working by hand. We had a sample of kona coffee – very nice and easy to drink sans sugar and milk – and two tiny pieces of chocolate and plain shortbread. It was just after breakfast so we didn’t need anything more but want!!! Next off to the Botanic Gardens. It was very lush and tropical as you can imagine, with waterfalls , orchids, gingers, heliotropes, bromeliads, palms and even some poor macaw’s kept in cage too small to our thinking but nonetheless very beautiful and amusing. The path went right to the sea’s edge but I shortened it to take in the waterfall and leave time for the steep walk back up to the road. We sat and revelled in the cool breeze and discovered a lily pond we hadn’t noticed on the way down. We were early for our lunch time so tootled around the waterfront taking in various sights including the tsunami zone where the original town and villages stood in 1946. Our lunch was very nice – roasted beef; earth oven cooked pork - well-cooked and smokey; delicious chicken; fish; all kinds of salads and a nice salsa of mangoes and melon; lovely ripe papaya and pineapple – even my mouth’s watering. The dessert wasn’t up to much but who needed it! We were then off to the volcanic fields. Volcanoes here are active and constant – changing the landscape and devouring buildings and roads regularly. This island alone has five in various stages of activity. We saw the Jagger Volcanic Museum, calderas, craters, steam vents, lava lakes, lava tubes and walked on a lava field. Briefly at each thankfully as we have been well schooled in these things through lectures and slides etc. Next was a macadamia nut farm where we should have seen the factory in operation beside a more mechanised chocolate production line – both of which weren’t operating at that particular moment.  We didn’t actually see the trees close up either but apparently there about 250.000 of them!! We bought some nuts to scoff on board and devoured a double cone vanilla macadamia and coconut ice-cream and back again to home (the ship). I had forgotten my photo ID so was briefly questioned twice by security but allowed on board. The cost of looking like a terrorist!! One of our fellow bussees from Chch. looks remarkably like William – have the evidence. I have met you in twenty years Wil. You’re a very nice man. We took in the 7 pm show followed by dinner with only three of our other dinees. Hop wanted to watch the late movie but I thought he was pushing his luck – and I was tired – poor me. Off to an early-ish night. There was some obscure movie on in our room but Hoppy was snoring two minutes into it so it was lights out!              Goodbye and God bless. XXXXXXXXXXXX