Vanilla is an Old World flavoring and aromatic that is highly favored in cooking, coffee, candles, and cosmetics. But few people know exactly what vanilla is, how it is cultivated, and why it has become the second most expensive spice in the world. That is what visitors to the Hawaiian Vanilla Company were about to discover during a luncheon and tour on Monday, September 9, 2024. The company is in Paauilo on the Hilo-Hamuka Heritage Coast of the Big Island,…
The Big Island of Hawaii, a.k.a. the Orchid Island, a.k.a. the Fire Island, a.k.a. TBI or simply Hawaii is AMAZING! We have just returned from our 11-day (9 full days on the island) trip with tons of photos, and I am wrting this article while the memories are still fresh and vivid. If you are seeking information on the best things to do on the Big Island, keep reading! This article presents our full itinerary, with each day briefly described. Each…
This is a part of our 9-day Big Island Itinerary. Monday, December 25. We slept longer today, because it’s Christmas and some of the places we would see otherwise will be closed. We are driving north from Hilo, along the scenic Hamakua coast. Our first stop stop is Rainbow Falls, a 10-15 minute drive from the hotel. The waterfall view is just a few steps away from the parking lot. We took a trail on the left going up the waterfall….
This is a part of our 9-day Big Island Itinerary. Before Arrival: Planning the Trip The Big Island is called big for a reason – it’s biger than the rest of Hawaiian islands and has two airports. After searching the internet for ideas, I decided to fly into one airport and out of the other. I found flights from Oakland to Hilo and back from Kona to Oakland and paid some extra for the rental car to be able to…