I visited the Big Island of Hawaii, mainly to see Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
Avoiding rain was a bit of a problem. The forecasts were not very reliable. My first full day was forecast to be pretty rainy, but it stayed dry until after dinner. Because of the forecast, I saw waterfalls and gardens closer to my Hilo hotel, instead of going to the National Park.
I then spent the next several days at the National Park. The museum, steam vents, sulphur banks, petroglyphs, craters, and old lava were interesting enough, but I most wanted to see lava.
I first tried hiking to the nearest point allowed where the lava enters the sea. I could see some lava, but it was still quite far away. The next morning, I took a helicopter ride (my first). Better views of the lava, but still too far away (vertically now). Later that day, I took a boat ride, and that was fantastic (and pricey)! Really close (I could feel the heat!), for many minutes, and lots and lots of time to take great photos.
The sea turtle pictured above was one of several. They were each about 3-feet across. I didn't manage to photograph either the wild pigs or the mongooses I saw.
My return flight was a red-eye. I hadn't done that in years. I slept very little.
