On Saturday, April 22nd, after arriving in Hilo, Hawaii, we took the Holland America tour Volcano and Tastes of Hawaii ($169.95 US). First, we had to go through US Customs on the Ship at 7 o'clock and then after that, we met in the terminal at 8:30 and departed in a large van at 9.
First, we stopped at the Hilo Coffee Mill and had a
small talk about coffee with a sample, and then some shopping there to buy
Wasabi and chocolate macadamia nuts.
Then we drove to the volcano at the Jagger Musuem -
the volcano was erupting and we got to see some eruptions. The Park Ranger had two telescopes set up -
very nice. A very good day to see the
volcano, and quite busy because the Park had a free day to everyone. 
Then we went to the steam vents just beside the road
- rain goes down, hits the hot rocks,
and comes back as steam. Then on to the
Crater - we were on the road above, but saw some people walking down on the
crater.
Then to a lava tube - this was a tunnel about 1/3 of
a mile long - stairs at the beginning and at the end- very interesting, and
then on the way back, the tour guide talked about the rain forest and explained
some plants to us.
Then we went to volcanic rocks - some of the rocks were quite colorful because of the mineral content. We then stopped at the Visitors Centre – the one shop catered to local artisans, and had very nice stuff.
For lunch, we ate at the Volcano Garden Arts - an
artist lives here, and everything in the store is produced by local artists.
White wine was served as soon as you got there. The gardens were very nicely
decorated - they have a small restaurant, and different tents set up outside to
eat in. We had lunch in the tent outside
- wraps (chicken, pork and vegetable) with fruit - good lunch.
Then we drove back to Hilo and stopped at a local candy factory - they make candy in the back - this was a shopping stop, with mainly macadamia nut products and Kona coffee. There were coffee samples, so if you did not want to shop, you could just have a coffee outside on the bench while you were waiting for the bus. Then back to the ship at about 4 o’clock - a good tour (Tip $3US).
For dinner, I had potato soup with shrimp, roast turkey dinner, whiskey chocolate cake and a glass of red wine ($11.20) - should just have had a Grolsch beer.
Photos belong to Phil Bianco
Then we drove back to Hilo and stopped at a local candy factory - they make candy in the back - this was a shopping stop, with mainly macadamia nut products and Kona coffee. There were coffee samples, so if you did not want to shop, you could just have a coffee outside on the bench while you were waiting for the bus. Then back to the ship at about 4 o’clock - a good tour (Tip $3US).
For dinner, I had potato soup with shrimp, roast turkey dinner, whiskey chocolate cake and a glass of red wine ($11.20) - should just have had a Grolsch beer.
