Hawaii - Day 5; Waterfalls and Volcano National Park

Today we headed north from Kona and the wrapped around the top of the island before heading south.  We soon were able to visit some beautiful waterfalls as we came down into Hilo on the far east side of the island.  First up was Umauma Falls.

Then we saw the 442 foot Akaka Falls which has the most beautiful waterfall I have ever seen with my own two eyes.

We rounded out the trifecta with Rainbow Falls within Hilo itself.

Then we headed for Volcano National Park where we stopped at the Jagger Museum to view the caldera.

We also saw it from the Kilauea Overlook.

To our surprise, we found out that you could walk down 400+ feet to the lava lake (it was bubbling hot back in 1959) below the Kilauea Iki Overlook.  They say you can feel the warmth in your shoes.

Can you see the tiny little people near the center of the picture below?

We finished up our Volcano NP visit by walking through the Nahuku - Thurston Lava Tube just before dusk which created a an eerie experience for all of us.

We wrapped up the day driving through the lava fields after leaving the NP and then down by South Point before heading north back to our plantation home I showed in Hawaii - Day 4; Transitioning to the Big Island.