As we headed out in the car, we drove past more variety in the landscape. We saw rolling green hills that looked like sleeping giants under grassy blankets. We reached a town called Waimea. Since we didn't have to be anywhere by any particular time, we got out of the car when we arrived at a farmer's market. The weather was a bit drizzly but not too bad. It was fun to see a farmer's market in Hawaii with all it's unique vegetation. One tent had all sorts of different flavored macadamia nuts. I nibbled on so many samples, we figured it was only fair to make a purchase. We decided on mango, kona coffee, and coconut curry.
As we continued to travel, the landscape changed. Soon, we were driving through lush rainforests with deep gorges. We came to a look out stop and got out of the car again to gaze at a distant shoreline.
We got to Hilo around lunch time. It turns out Hilo was actually named for all the rain it gets...mark that on the list of things I wish I'd known before we arrived! Sure enough, we were greeted with a rain shower.
On the Travel Channel, I'd heard about a popular Hawaiian dish called the plate lunch. Basically, it's a pile of rice, meat, and eggs. I kept saying I wanted to try it. Our guidebook suggested a place called Cafe 100. It was just a large counter service dive, but lots of locals ate there. Derek and I both ordered variations of plate lunches- I think mine had spam, sausage, and a hamburger patty- yummy! But oh- way too much food. I should have gone for the smaller loco moco.
We explored the town a bit, parking among a strip of shops. We caught the tail end of another farmer's market. There was also a little candy shop with lots of different flavored taffy.
Our last part of our afternoon in Hilo was the Lyman Museum- a historical museum attached to an old mission house. The house itself was closed for the day, but we didn't know if we'd be back in the area so we decided to just go through the small museum. It gave a quick overview of the island plus a special Korean house exhibit- a hands on mock up of an old Korean home. Hands on things are always fun to explore. In the museum's giftshop, I found a locally made Hawaiian synthetic flower hair scrunchie- another item on my quest for local souvenirs.
Our bed and breakfast for the next few nights was at the Lotus Cottages in Volcano Village about half an hour from Hilo. It was in a very secluded area surrounded mainly by private homes and rainforest. What a difference from staying at a fancy resort! The air was so quiet. All you could hear was the patter of light rain on the leaves. There were a few cars parks on the patch of grass by the entrance. We found our host- a man from Korea I think- in one of the little huts. He gave us a key and led us to our cottage. It was like a tree house! There was a set of wooden steps to get up to the entrance. I never saw any other guests the whole time we were there. The room was gorgeous! The mattress was plush and soft, the bedspread was fluffy. A kitchen nook took up a corner and had bottles of water waiting for us. There were huge windows with bamboo blinds and a loft overhead. Little Asian and Hawaiian knick knacks filled the shelves. I even found a leg massager!
We were in such a secluded area that there were few dining options- a Thai place, a lodge, and some quick service sandwich place. We chose the lodge- although it was very busy and we had to wait. It was a German place. The menu had some exotic meet on it- ordering antelope was an option! Derek and I both played it safe and ordered chicken. Derek later read that the antelope was from a range on the mainland...what fun is that?
We made it an early night that night. Derek planned to drag me out of bed before dawn the next morning in order to photograph the glow of an active volcano at the park the next morning.
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