I went to the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory and got to meet their fun mascot!

After driving down a 3 mile long road through the macadamia nut orchards I got to look through these windows to see their nut and chocolate processing plant where they husk the nut and carefully dry it to exact moisture specifications.

Here they create a delicious array of macadamia nut products that are packaged right there at the plant. So excited to try some!

Taking a selfie with a cartoon of their fun mascot!

The Mauna Loa Visitor Center has delightful array of island treats and gifts including the exclusive selection of MAUNA LOA products found nowhere else. YUMMY!

I may have gone overboard when buying all their yummy treats... I might eat them all before it even makes it back to Oregon...

Went to the Pacific Tsunami Museum where I learned about tsunami education and history. The Museum serves as a living memorial to those who lost their lives in past tsunami events.

I got to hang out with some awesome fish at The Mokupapapa Discovery Center, which was established in 2003 to interpret the natural science, culture and history of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and surrounding marine environment.

Checking out the awesome view from my hotel room!

I found Nemo!!!

This is a nice place to hangout while it rains.

Exploring the area around the hotel.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park protects some of the most unique geological, biological, and cultural landscapes in the world. Extending from sea level to the summit of Mauna Loa at 13,677 feet, the park encompasses the summits of two of the world's most active volcanoes - Klauea and Mauna Loa.

The View is amazing!

So Beautiful…

The crater is so big

Found some Nenes! The Nene and Hawaiian goose, is a species of bird endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. The official bird of the state of Hawaii, the nene is exclusively found in the wild on the islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Molokai, and Hawaii.

So many Lava Rocks!

Look at that view!

Next I went to The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. It is a museum of living plants that has a collection of tropical plants that has over 2,000 species, representing more than 125 families and 750 genera. There were so many pretty flowers!

A waterfall in the garden.

Found a giant Tiki! This Tiki is the representation of the Hawaiian God "Ku"

Look at those beautiful orchids.

This garden has so many wonderful things.

Going to see another waterfall!

The free-falling Akaka Falls plunges 442 feet into a stream-eroded gorge.

Taking a walk to Coconut Island, originally named Moku Ola.

Moku Ola, which literally means island of life in the Hawaiian language, used to be a site of an ancient temple dedicated to healing. During the olden times, the island's spring waters were known to cure all sorts of ailments. The island is also known as a place of refuge for ancient Hawaiians who broke the law. All they have to do was swim to the island without getting caught by the warriors chasing them then they will be pardoned for whatever crime they had committed.

I hope I don't get hit by any coconuts...

Liliuokalani Park and Gardens - A Piece of Japan in Hawaii.

This guy is a little scary...

Check out this awesome hula statue!

Taking some time to relax at the hotel.

I might go and take a nice swim in the ocean.

A nice view of Coconut Island.

Punaluu Black Sand Beach.

The sand is nice and hot, perfect place for sea turtles to hangout!

In old Hawaii, if you had broken a law, the penalty was death. Your only option for survival is to elude your pursuers and reach the nearest pu'uhonua, or place of refuge. As you enter, the great wall rises up before you marking the boundaries between the royal grounds and the sanctuary. Many ki'i (carved wooden images) surround the Hale o Keawe temple, housing the bones of the chiefs that infuse the area with their power or mana. If you reached this sacred place, you would be saved. Today, you may visit Pu'uhonua o Hnaunau National Historical Park, and still feel the spirit of peace and forgiveness that continues to surround and bless this special place.

I made it to Oregon!