06-05-2009, 01:48 PM
I also read tripadvisor, and the current trend is for nearly 100% of the visitors planning a trip to the Big Island to plan to visit the east side. On top of that, the majority of the short trip planners are coming to see the volcano and view the lava as part of a trip to Oahu or Maui, or occasionally Kaua'i. Often they are not even going Kona side.
Mind you, these are the people who use internet trip planning forums, not the folks who call up their travel agent and say book me a package and end up at the Royal Kona Resort or the Hilton.
Since the lava shifted, the number of posters adding Puna Makai to their itinerary has jumped drastically.
In addition, Puna appeals to all the off the beaten track folks.
What is less common is for people to plan enough time on the east side. They really pack their itineraries tight, unrealistically so, and plan their chill out time on the west side. That is to my mind ass backwards, but they are afraid of the weather and the lack of beaches.
What do they come east for?
Akaka Falls, Botanical Gardens, Onomea scenic route, Rainbow Falls/Boiling Pots, Farmer's Market, museums, Liliu'okalani Gardens, Big Island Candies, Imiloa, and of course Mauna Kea.
Puna:
VNP, Kalapana, Kaimu, Wai Opae, Champagne Pond, Red Road drive, Maku'u Market, Lava Tree, Pahoa as an incidental stop. Kehena, some.
More and more people stay in Puna and drive to the Hilo and Volcano sights.
Mind you, these are the people who use internet trip planning forums, not the folks who call up their travel agent and say book me a package and end up at the Royal Kona Resort or the Hilton.
Since the lava shifted, the number of posters adding Puna Makai to their itinerary has jumped drastically.
In addition, Puna appeals to all the off the beaten track folks.
What is less common is for people to plan enough time on the east side. They really pack their itineraries tight, unrealistically so, and plan their chill out time on the west side. That is to my mind ass backwards, but they are afraid of the weather and the lack of beaches.
What do they come east for?
Akaka Falls, Botanical Gardens, Onomea scenic route, Rainbow Falls/Boiling Pots, Farmer's Market, museums, Liliu'okalani Gardens, Big Island Candies, Imiloa, and of course Mauna Kea.
Puna:
VNP, Kalapana, Kaimu, Wai Opae, Champagne Pond, Red Road drive, Maku'u Market, Lava Tree, Pahoa as an incidental stop. Kehena, some.
More and more people stay in Puna and drive to the Hilo and Volcano sights.