Hi Ho Hilo, away……

As planned, we left the condo around 10:00 this am to drive over the Saddle Road to Hilo and the Farmers Market in town.  We had hoped to be able to see the most recent lava flow from Mauna Loa which came within 2 miles of the road to Hilo.  We 'think' we saw it.  The darkest lava.  However as we climbed we were up in the clouds and drizzle soon which turned to misty hard-to see-through rain!  It rained all the way from near the summit down into town.   Photos compliments of Barb below.

Luckily it didn't rain while we were at the market.  It has all changed since my last time here, they have built and are still building solid roof but open air structures for the vendors.  We found a spot to park over near water side and walked across.  On the right the building holds all the fruit and vegetable sellers whilst in the opposite side are the clothing racks, Knick knacks and other 'stuff'. The market is considerably smaller than what I was used to seeing and I bought nothing today.

Having seen enough of the market we headed back to the car and GPS'd Pineapples Island Fresh Cuisine, a place we noted from Rick Rake et als trip prior to ours!  We found it easily enough, there was no parking and people lined up outside waiting to get in so we drove around the BIG block, I said to Barb, if all else fails, there's McD's on our left!  I seriously dislike all the one way street so famous in Hilo.  So back we come second time, slowly driving hoping someone would vacate a spot, nope!  Ok, around we go again ……same situation only more people it seemed waiting outside to get a table. Fourth time lucky maybe….'hey Barb, there's McDonalds again,' as we passed by; wouldn't you know it, bigger lineup of folks waiting and NO PARKING SPACES!!!  Off we went, saw another restaurant on one of our rounds, guess what?  Freaking closed!  Now, I have not been to a McD's in a very long time so we pulled into the parking lot, to park in most of it you have to have ordered your food on line!!!!  The other few spots with no signage were full.  So out we go, drive down to the drive-in part, ordered what we wanted, paid and finally found an empty spot in the lot to eat our gourmet repast!!!!  

If that was lunch we had it!  Time to turn the car in the direction of heading back to home base.  It's a nice little car.  You take the keys with you, set them down inside the car, put your foot on the brake and push the start button!  Magical.  I think I need to get out more! 😳😳😳

We drove practically all the way back, even getting to the Belt road, in rain.  Really heavy big rain in a few places.  Road work is currently happening on many of the roads and highways.  It seems the road works require a police officer at each end directing traffic……perhaps they don't have flaggers?

One thing I really love is sunsets.  Most every night there has been such beautiful skies showing us phenomenal sunsets here, except Luau night!  It was just cloudy.  Tonight was no exception to the beautiful scenes. 

The camera just does not do it Justice.  The colours were so vibrant and bright, yellows, oranges, pinks, mauves and blues.  The sky is just breathtaking!  

So, tomorrow we are booked on a glass bottom boat tour.  Hopefully we get to see some fish or something!!!  Then later we may have to go looking for a carry-on suitcase for me!  I knew I shouldn't have brought so many clothes with me!!!  Barb already bought one for her treasures to carry home!

Now, I think Barb (otherwise known as the card shark) and I (otherwise known as the loser) might have to have a couple more games of Rummy!  I mean, my luck has to turn at some point, don't you think?  I believe we are…..Barb 10 or 12, me 0!  😩