The beauty of the Big Island of Hawaii is legendary and has the most diverse landscape on earth - but it can be as difficult to explore how charming it is. From the icy heights of snow-covered volcanoes, to paired jungles and tropical beaches, to flowing lava fields, abandoned canyon flowers and wide open tropical pastures, its landscapes are unsurpassed. By and large, the quality of your trip to the Big Island will depend on how many of you choose, and how you decide to learn about your adventures on the big island. Below are some ideas on how to get to the Hawaiian Islands and visit Hawaii as soon as you are here.
Another key to the quality of your time on the Big Island is related to the spirit of aloha. People with whom you meet in Hawaii are, by and large, generally more open and friendly — quickly to help or make friends than anywhere else. This is the Aloha tradition. When you meet with local people, whether you need to ask for instructions and advice or hire services or just in casual conversation, treat them with respect, humor and openness — return your aloha spirit and you will find your journey and yourself deeply enriched by It.
In Hawaii, your smile is your passport.
How to get to the Hawaiian Islands
Constant joke among the inhabitants of the Hawaiian Islands, when it comes to time, inconvenience and hassle of traveling to the mainland: “Previously, it was much easier before the bridge was blown away”! Of course, there has never been a bridge covering about 2500 miles between the Big Island and the mainland USA, but humor tends to emphasize commitment, planning, and the time it takes to travel to and from Hawaii.
Flights to Hawaii: Of course, the most common, fastest, and least expensive (note that I did not say “inexpensive”) to get to Hawaii is to fly. Many major US and international carriers fly to Honolulu on Oahu, and many local and international carriers offer flights from there to all other Hawaiian islands, including the Big Island. Kona Airport is the only one on the Big Island that has direct flights to the United States, Canada, Japan and Australia. Absolutely stylish style as “Hilo International Airport”, flights to Hilo and back. Only connect to other Hawaiian islands.
Although both airports have similar facilities and services, including an on-site car rental agency, as well as access to public transport, shuttles and taxes, this is of great importance for the traveler where they land. To date, the vast majority of visitors to the Big Island are in Kona or Kohala Resorts, which are located on the western side of the island and are within 20 to 45 minutes from Kona Airport. If you stop at Hilo, then you should fly there; however, Hilo has no resort facilities, beautiful beaches and great weather on the Kona side, and several tourists prefer to stay there. Many people booked to resorts on the western side mistakenly take flights to Hilo because of the erroneous name of the airport, not realizing (or even mistakenly stating the uninformed but well-intentioned travel agents) that they are now at the end of a tiring day of travel and at dying twilight early tropical sunset, drive almost 3 hours, through the high mountains and onto narrow, winding, unfamiliar roads to get to their resort. They just better hope that it won't rain either.
Know where you are, fly to the appropriate airport.
If you fly directly to Kona or fly to Honolulu and get a connecting flight to Kona or Hilo, you will definitely want to reserve a place so that you can see as many incredible landscapes as possible. Since 90% of the flight is over the open ocean (which is simply not as exciting as you would expect), you want to squeeze the most pleasure out of those parts of your flight that have a landscape feature. If you are staying on the port side (left) for the first time in Honolulu, this leg of your trip gives the best views as the plane screams at Mount Koko last and over the top of Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach, turns right over Pearl Harbor and settles at the airport Honolulu. However, sitting on the starboard side is not as spectacular, but it overlooks the islands of Milk and Maui, as well as views of Pearl Harbor, Mount Wai and Ko-Olau. ahu and downtown honolulu before landing.
Flight to Hilo from Okha, I also want to board the plane. The flight path crosses the islands of Milk and Maui, glides along the eastern edge of the island of Hawaii, presenting a rich, breathtaking panorama of soaring sea cliffs, jungle canyons and volcanic mountains, jaw waterfalls and crashing shore. Flying to Konu directly or from Honolulu is no less amazingly picturesque than flying to Hilo, but one wants to be on the right side. It offers travelers great views of the islands of Maui, Molokini, Lana and Kaho, as well as incredible views of the Big Island, Kohala Mountain, Mauna Kea, Hualalai and, on clear days, Mauna Loa as the jet cruises the Kohala coast, making land right above McAlvena beach and at Kona International Airport in Kehol.
Cruise ships and cargo ships: There are several lines of cruise ships that ply the waters of the Hawaiian archipelago, but of those serving the Big Island, most of them require passengers to book a cruise, which means that although you can make one or two stops in Hawaii, you will only stay in the port for a day, maximum for the night before you go. As a rule, you cannot arrive on one ship, disembark at the site and pull out another ship.
However, due to the growing popularity, cruising a trip to Hawaii on cargo ships is cheaper than the cruise line, and with a fully open and regulated route, this is a great alternative to flying. It is both more expensive and more time consuming (the average sail is 3 days from Los Angeles to Honolulu, and times vary in order to get from here to the Big Island) than to fly, but it is calm, peaceful and unique. Cargo ships offer spacious passenger cabins, and, although they are not floating feed lots that tend to resemble cruise ships, the food on cargo ships is remarkable and abundant. Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of riding cargo ships to the Big Island is that from the east they dock, say, the less desirable part of Hilo; in the west, they moor in Kawaihai, halfway between Kailua Kona and the resorts of the Kohala coast, in other words, in the middle of nowhere. Both lands are within a few miles of resorts and car rental agencies. However, both docking stations are served by taxis and public transport; if you plan ahead, this should be no problem.
How to get to Hawaii
Buses / Taxis / Limousines / Tours: Taxis, of course, serve the airports of the Big Island, metropolitan regions and all resorts. Taxis, although not cheap, are not as usurers as one might fear, and drivers in general are knowledgeable, friendly, HONEST and really good - this is all aloha. Taxi drivers are happy to answer your questions, even stupid ones that you are shy to ask about; they will be free to give advice on what to do, see and where they are and generally try to be as helpful as possible. However, many speak English, which can be almost impenetrable for beginners. ear. Feel free to respectfully ask him to repeat himself, and, if necessary, again, he hears that he wears almost all passages. Ask him to write down the names of places, the names of restaurants, etc. - many Hawaiian words do not look as if they might ask another person later.
Both Kona and Hilo airports are served by destinations and limousines, prices for which are really reasonable and, of course, cheaper than taxis. The disadvantage here is that there will be a lot of people on board going to many different directions, so it will take a little longer than a taxi.
Many of the larger resorts offer free airport limousine service to and from the airport, and some even organize your rental car waiting for you at the hotel when you arrive from the airport ... check when booking. If available, this is the least representative, but the fastest, easiest and least expensive way to get to your home.
Some boutique tours offered by hostels and small travel agencies will also pick you up at the airport at the beginning of their trips if your arrival time is more convenient for the tour schedule; then the cost of moving to your resort entails a tour cost. This option is worth exploring if you do not plan to rent a car during your stay.
Tips, taxis, limousines and shuttle drivers are not only encouraged, but also their main source of income. Do not forget to return the aloch that they showed you.
Car rental and driving tips: While some people prefer not to rent cars during their stay, relying on tours and public transport to get around, you should keep in mind that there is a reason they call the “Big Island”. The distances between the sights can be long, the schedules of public transport are not always convenient and, looking at it, are simply much freer, simpler and more independent in order to have their own wheels. Be sure to carefully study the agencies of online booking before you arrive - very good offers related to the delivery of air tickets, room rental and car rental, especially in mild seasons.
There are two types of car rental agencies on the Big Island. Large international car rental agencies are available in the property at both airports, which gives the visitor a wide choice of corporate deals and special offers, in particular, combines for flying in the room, as well as the varied taste of the available cars. Another option, often much less expensive for a long-term lease, is a real estate rental agency. These people usually do not pick you up at the airport, so you should go to your city offices, but the choice of vehicles and rates is usually wider.
If you are under 21, rental companies will not rent you. If you are between 21 and 24, they can add an extra fee to the rental, which can be up to twenty-five dollars a day over the usual daily fee.
The first question that the traveler must answer himself is what kind of vehicle they will need on the Big Island. Some rental agencies specialize in luxury and exotic cars - Mercedes, Lamborghini, Rolls Royce, etc. Others offer Volkswagen Campers and RVs. Many people come and decide that they want to flare up around the island in a Mustang or Camaro cabriolet, which are gorgeous and fun, but they do not ensure the safety of your personal belongings, and they severely limit the roads you can ride, in addition to almost guaranteeing the burn from sun and wind. If you are going to explore the island, you should think about the additional cost of renting a four-wheel drive car - a jeep or a closed SUV. Most of the country's highlands and many of the more interesting beaches and canyons require all-wheel drive. I suggest an embedded SUV, so you do not need to scream to hear how you do it in a jeep, and even more protect against elements and from thieves.
Briefly mentioned above, RVs and Volkswagen Campers are great ways to see the island and get rid of the need for an expensive hotel. However, RVs are not common in Hawaii, and there are no such RV parks as such; outside of the cities of Hilo and Kona, waste tanks never flow anywhere, so you should use public facilities as much as possible. But you can park and relax for free almost anywhere, although most campsites will charge for camping for an RV, even if you go in the parking lot.
Motorcycles and scooters can be rented both in Kona and Hilo, and this is a great way to see the island until it rains. What's happening. It is also difficult to travel with any amount of luggage on a motorcycle. You will notice that a growing part of the local population is silent around the city on scooters (locally and incorrectly, called “mopeds”). For motorcycles with engine sizes less than 50 cu. See Motorcycle licenses and no insurance required. A moped car has the same licenses and rules of the road as a bicycle, so it is not surprising that they see them on the side of the road, passing cars stuck in traffic, or float up and flow down the sidewalk. If you rent a moped in Hawaii, please do not drive them like the locals do; it's just not safe. I use a moped almost exclusively to get around the city of Kailua, where I live, - do not ride your scooter, as you see, I ride my mine.
The cost of gas in Hawaii is even worse than they believed you, so remember when choosing a rental car. Costco in Kone has the cheapest gas on the island (and this is convenient, near the airport); The gas station from the Akoni Poole highway in Kohala, near the 76-mile marker, has the cheapest gas in Kohal, and Chevron station at the airport in Hilo has the cheapest gas in East Hawaii. Remember that the Big Island is a large rural gas station, especially in the far north and on the southern side of the island, may not keep regular hours or even keep to its schedule, especially if surfing is raised or fishing is good. In general, outside the urban areas of Kona and Hilo, gas is difficult to find after 6 pm. I personally never let my gas tank become more than half empty, ever, for that very reason. Of course, you should never let it become more than half empty when on the south side of the island; you must do everything possible to fill up until late at night when you have a chance, of course, before heading to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (you will stay longer and use more gas than planned, because, believe me, this is the coolest place, ever) and before crossing the saddle road.
Driving time between attractions on the Big Island is longer than you would expect, considering the actual mileage between points of interest. This is partly due to the fact that most of the “highway” system consists of a wound, narrow two-lane black hole with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour. Another reason that drives take longer than expected is because you want to stretch, watch, stop and explore, don't rush and enjoy. As the bumper sticker says: “Slow down, Brach-dz is not a mainland!” On this note, many locals will pass through hills and blind corners, even in a counter-movement; they know the way, you do not hold on to them. Trying to drive like driving local people is like jumping into the ocean and trying to surf, as if they are surfing - it's just not a very bright idea. Local custom is to avoid the use of turn signals and beeps; This is another custom that you should not emulate.
The police on the Big Island are well-trained, serious professionals. However, most cruises around are in private cars (with blue light on top) and it can be very difficult to spot (a Ford Mustang or a Toyota Rav4 with a light bar? It happens ...). They are especially serious with drunk drivers, speed limits and child restraints / sealing tapes. Aloha, respect and honesty have come a long way to making any interaction with the Hawaii County police more enjoyable. This is not a Louisiana or some third world banana republic — don't even think about offering a bribe if the Hawaii District Police Officer stops you. On the topic of the police, the local custom is to flash lights when traffic is coming, if there is a policeman behind you. Participate in this on your own, but for this very reason all these people blink at you.
There are wild goats and sheep (wild donkeys along the highway in Kohala!), Wild pigs, wild cats and dogs that pose a danger to driving, especially at night. Fruits, such as mangoes, avocados and guavas, often fall in droves on the road and cause slippery dangers, especially for motorcycles. In the city, watch out for cyclists, pedestrians and skateboarders (check that these guys ride a skateboard on the beach with a surfboard under their arms!). Кайлуа Кона - это гордый дом для триатлона чемпионата мира Iron Man, и многие бегуны и велосипедисты полностью используют и строго защищают свои права на дорогу; улыбка, волна и урожай, хорошо? Вы пришли веселиться: расслабиться. Большой остров также является страной Большого Неба ... езде на восток в восход солнца или на запад в закат, это болезненно и опасно; попытайтесь спланировать свой день, чтобы избежать этого.
Не оставляйте ценные вещи в своем автомобиле, даже в багажнике. Когда-либо. Местные жители дружелюбны, но некоторые из них являются резкими, а предметы с высокой стоимостью испаряются с вашего автомобиля с тревожной готовностью. Подумайте о том, что посетители часто подвергаются риску за кражу, даже если вы находитесь всего в сто футах от своего автомобиля.
Многие дороги, перекрестки и аттракционы плохо обозначены и какие признаки существуют на Гавайских островах, которые трудно читать, сложнее запомнить именно название места, которое вы ищете. Когда вы спросите направление, напишите имя места. У многих жителей есть привычка давать указания с точки зрения ориентиров, которые ничего не значат для вас («Помните, где дядя Килеа имел плодную стойку 20 лет назад, чтобы быть ...»), чтобы они показали вам на карте. Убедитесь, что они начинают, указывая, где вы сейчас находитесь. Уважение, юмор и алоха помогут вам в том, куда вы направляетесь.
Вдоль этих линий многие туристы приносят свой GPS из дома, чтобы помочь ориентироваться - обязательно загрузите карты на Гавайи, прежде чем вы придете; некоторые бренды GPS не предлагают покрытие на Гавайях. Несколько агентств по аренде автомобилей имеют GPS-модули в аренду по разумным ценам. Лучшим решением, однако, являются люди в путеводителе Гавайи (808.557.0051; http://www.tourguidehawaii.com), которые предлагают портативный компьютер с бортовым GPS по очень разумным ставкам аренды. Они наполнили это устройство более чем шестисотю точками интереса (вы слышали это? 600!) Рекреационного, культурного и исторического значения. Они подготовили короткую аудио / видео презентацию для каждого сайта, рассказывая вам об этом, истории и культуре, о том, что нужно сделать, что делать; у них даже есть общедоступные туалеты! Эти презентации воспроизводятся по мере приближения к интересующим пунктам или могут быть найдены в любое время или в любом месте. Таким образом, устройство можно использовать для предварительного просмотра всех сайтов по всему острову в комфорте вашего гостиничного номера, предплановых поездок или получения информации и поворота на поворотной навигации по дороге. Сочетание передовых технологий и старомодного рассказа, невероятно проста в использовании, сказочно информативное и ужасно веселое руководство по путешествиям. Самоуправляемые GPS-туры - это потрясающая сделка и отличный способ увидеть Гавайи. Теперь они предлагают упрощенную версию (45 из лучших сайтов - iAND туалеты!) Это можно загрузить на iPhone и iPod.
Коммерческие туры: Независимо от того, арендуете ли вы автомобиль, коммерческие туры предлагают отличный способ ориентироваться на остров и немного узнать об истории и культуре нашего дома. Туры бывают разных размеров и описания, от таксиста, который делает это на лету, так как он принимает вас на ужин, чтобы персонализированные туры на такси возвращались наполовину до полного дня, в специализированные фургоны и большой, полный день, вокруг островные туры в полноразмерных моторных вагонах. Есть автобусные туры на вершину Мауна-Кеа, экскурсии по кофейной стране Кона, экскурсии по вулкану, исторические туры-туры по всей длине и освещение всего, что угодно и всего, что вы хотите увидеть. Некоторые туры включают в себя питание - даже вы попадаете в настоящее, действующее ранчо на барбекю! Затем проходят специализированные туры: туры с фиксированным крылом и вертолетом по острову, просмотр китов и дельфинов, туры с трубкой, круизные туры на закате, организованные велосипедные туры, туры с веерными планами, экскурсии по заливу Кайлуа на подводной лодке и даже лодке туры, чтобы увидеть, как лава течет в океан. Хотя они могут быть довольно дорогостоящими, большинство из них полностью стоит цены. Обязательно посетите магазин для правильного тура по правильной цене в соответствии с вашими интересами.
Прокат велосипедов: Есть несколько мест, где вы можете арендовать велосипеды на Большом острове - и очень приятно провести день педалями через Хило и Кайлуа Кону. Тем не менее, проблемы погоды (горячее солнце, ливневый ливень!), Длинные расстояния между точками интереса и постоянно присутствующими массивными вулканами (подумайте: «HILLS!»). Превалируйте это как крупный метод исследования, за исключением самых жадный байкерский тур.
Общественный транспорт: Гавайский уезд, управляемый Hele-on Bus, путешествует по большей части острова и делает приятное время - хорошие новости здесь - то, что езда на автобусе бесплатна ... Плохая новость заключается в том, что планируется нанять рабочих между крупными курортами в Коне и Кохале и в маленьких городах по всему острову, где они живут. Таким образом, расписание автобусов может быть не удобным для посетителя и не проводящим разведку. Однако, это очень удобно, если вы просто хотите пойти куда-нибудь и провести там день. Убедитесь, что вы понимаете расписание автобусов, однако, так как многие места обслуживаются только дважды в день на автобусе (один из них в очереди и один выход из поездки в день), и если вы пропустите свою поездку с возвратом и вам придется искать альтернативный путь назад в ваш отель, вы быстро узнаете, почему они называют этот «Большой остров»!
Пешеходные прогулки и автостопы: Два слова здесь: БОЛЬШОЙ ОСТРОВ. Можно пройтись по Большому острову (я проделал это как с запада на восток, так и с юга на север, черт возьми, в 2008 году спортсмен с колесиком поднялся со своего кресла с уровня моря в Хило 37 миль и 13 800 футов в высоту до вершины Мауна-Кеа, вы уловили роль в «атлетике для инвалидного кресла»?), но на больших расстояниях, сельской природе (это непрактично длинный путь между местами, чтобы получить еду, вода и лагерь) и интенсивное солнце делают это эпическое приключение, а не спокойный обзорный отпуск. И Хило, и город Кайлуа удобны и безопасны для прогулок, но добраться до пляжей, водопадов и других достопримечательностей трудно пешком.
До недавнего времени автостопом был обычный и респектабельный способ обойти остров - если бы вы были местными, все либо знали вас, либо вашу тёту; Если бы вы были гостем, ваша уникальность сделала вас интересными, и это было очень безопасно. Хотя, возможно, сегодня так же безопасно, что взрыв материков, перемещающихся на наш остров (которые могут быть отнесены к поездкам), я заметил резкое снижение числа автостопов на дорогах. С автопоездом с автопоездом вы можете путешествовать пешком, пока вы не находитесь на дороге, представляя опасность для себя или препятствие для движения. Если вы путешествуете с рейсом, используйте свою юрисдикцию, будьте дома до захода солнца и отказываетесь кататься с пьяницами или людьми сомнительного характера или чистоты. Не катайтесь на задних сиденьях пикапов.
Итак, вооружившись этой информацией, вы теперь лучше подготовлены к оценке ваших вариантов изучения уникальных и разнообразных ландшафтов, впечатлений и наслаждений на Гавайях - ваши приключения ограничены только вашим воображением. Помните, что отношение на Гавайях важно для качества вашего отпуска - дух Алохи распространен. Когда сердитый, одинокий, смущенный, расстроенный, усталый или скучающий, вспомните, что я сказал: «На Гавайях ваша улыбка - ваш паспорт»
