DCDivenut
Guest
So I am about to pull the trigger on the Kona Aggressor May 9 -16 and I have a few questions, not about the Aggressor, but afterwards.
My thoughts were as follows
Pick up a rental car on Sat at 10AM and drive over to Hilo via Saddle Road. I figure if I stop for lunch that gives me around 24 hours out of the water before I hit altitude.
Go see the lava at night.
Stay somewhere on that side.
Do an early helicopter tour of the volcanoes
Drive back via the upper road and catch the 5PM flight.
Here are my questions...
I understand that all lava viewing is at the whim of Mother Nature, but am I correct that at this point the best viewing is the county viewing area off of 130? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Should I try to drive up to the crater and get there mid-afternoon? Is it worth it? I hate guided tours so I will be doing this with a copy of the ultimate guidebook and a bottle or 4 of water.
Should I stay in Hilo or Volcano? I am traveling solo so I am not too concerned about fancy resorts, more about convenience as far as getting there after looking at lava at night and then getting to the airport in the AM for the heli tour. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Tropical with doors off (I am leaning this way) or Blue Hawaiian for the helicopter tour? I have heard good things about both companies.
Where is the best saimin on the island? After getting into Hamura's in Kauai a few years ago this is KEY!!
Overall does my plan sounds reasonable? I know I am pushing it by doing the heli on the last day since if weather bites I am totally grounded but I have NO choice from a logistics point of view.
My thoughts were as follows
Pick up a rental car on Sat at 10AM and drive over to Hilo via Saddle Road. I figure if I stop for lunch that gives me around 24 hours out of the water before I hit altitude.
Go see the lava at night.
Stay somewhere on that side.
Do an early helicopter tour of the volcanoes
Drive back via the upper road and catch the 5PM flight.
Here are my questions...
I understand that all lava viewing is at the whim of Mother Nature, but am I correct that at this point the best viewing is the county viewing area off of 130? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Should I try to drive up to the crater and get there mid-afternoon? Is it worth it? I hate guided tours so I will be doing this with a copy of the ultimate guidebook and a bottle or 4 of water.
Should I stay in Hilo or Volcano? I am traveling solo so I am not too concerned about fancy resorts, more about convenience as far as getting there after looking at lava at night and then getting to the airport in the AM for the heli tour. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Tropical with doors off (I am leaning this way) or Blue Hawaiian for the helicopter tour? I have heard good things about both companies.
Where is the best saimin on the island? After getting into Hamura's in Kauai a few years ago this is KEY!!
Overall does my plan sounds reasonable? I know I am pushing it by doing the heli on the last day since if weather bites I am totally grounded but I have NO choice from a logistics point of view.