{"id":17742,"date":"2013-05-22T13:14:27","date_gmt":"2013-05-22T13:14:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/?p=17742"},"modified":"2021-10-28T16:44:06","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T16:44:06","slug":"the-big-island-solo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/the-big-island-solo\/","title":{"rendered":"The Big Island, solo"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/Hawaii.d180074.Destination-Travel-Guides?stop_mobi=yes&#038;brandcid=social..blog.ViewFinder.130601\">Big Island of Hawai&#8217;i<\/a> is great for couples and families, but it also is an excellent destination for the solo traveler. <\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Because I know a thing or three about traveling on my own, I thought I\u2019d share some activities that can be enjoyed on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/Hawaii-Hotels.d180074.Travel-Guide-Hotels\">Hawai&#8217;i Island<\/a> if you&#8217;re flying solo.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span>Mauna Kea at night<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>At nearly 13,800 feet, Mauna Kea is the highest point in Hawai&#8217;i and one of its most sacred peaks in the state. Its altitude and stable weather also make it one of the best places in the world for observing the stars. In the world.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span>Viewfinder Tip: The Big Island is big; consider splitting up your trip\u00a0and staying on two parts of the island\u00a0to minimize drive time between activities. <br \/> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>It IS possible to visit this mountain on your own (you must have a car that can handle the poor roads &#8211; such as a 4WD vehicle &#8211; and permission from your rental car company) or you might consider taking a commercial tour to the top. I love joining day tours when I&#8217;m traveling on my own because I get to meet people that way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>High elevation will make walking (and even breathing) difficult. And it\u2019s cold up there. Bring plenty of cold weather clothes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span>Visit the town of Hilo<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>This little town on the island\u2019s east coast, is a throwback to old-school Hawai&#8217;i. You won\u2019t find super-expensive chain hotels or restaurants, but you will find unique restaurants (try Caf\u00e9 Pesto) and coffee shops, and a laid-back lifestyle. Spend some time meandering the streets of downtown, or walk, run, or bike the stretch of promenade that goes from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/Hawaii-Hotels-Castle-Hilo-Hawaiian-Hotel.h7436.Hotel-Information?stop_mobi=yes&#038;brandcid=social..blog.ViewFinder.130601\">Hilo Hawaiian Hotel<\/a> to downtown (about one mile total). I love this stretch of walkway because it&#8217;s right next to the ocean.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Be sure to also visit the market (every Wednesday and Saturday) where farmers and craftspeople set up shop for both locals and tourists.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><\/p>\n<div class=\"slideshow-container slideshow-d70032a7-50ee-63e1-bbde-ff000073f150\">\n<div class=\"flexslider\">\n<ul class=\"slides\">\n<li><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/images\/default-source\/user-beth-whitman\/hawaii-island-beach-[size_600x450].jpg\" id=\"slideshow-d70032a7-50ee-63e1-bbde-ff000073f150\"\/>\n<p class=\"flex-caption\">Day at the beach on the Kohala Coast<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/images\/default-source\/user-beth-whitman\/hawaii-island-appetizer-[size_600x450].jpg\" id=\"slideshow-ca0032a7-50ee-63e1-bbde-ff000073f150\"\/>\n<p class=\"flex-caption\">Pineapple and shrimp appetizer on Hawai&#8217;i Island<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/images\/default-source\/user-beth-whitman\/hawaii-island-marriott-view-[size_600x450].jpg\" id=\"slideshow-620132a7-50ee-63e1-bbde-ff000073f150\"\/>\n<p class=\"flex-caption\"\/><\/li>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/images\/default-source\/user-beth-whitman\/hawaii-island-malasada-[size_600x450].jpg\" id=\"slideshow-fe0032a7-50ee-63e1-bbde-ff000073f150\"\/>\n<p class=\"flex-caption\">Cream malasada at Tex Drive-In<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/images\/default-source\/user-beth-whitman\/hawaii-island-kona-coffee-beans-[size_600x450].jpg\" id=\"slideshow-e40032a7-50ee-63e1-bbde-ff000073f150\"\/>\n<p class=\"flex-caption\">Coffee beans at Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/images\/default-source\/user-beth-whitman\/hawaii-island-pesto-hilo-[size_600x450].jpg\" id=\"slideshow-940132a7-50ee-63e1-bbde-ff000073f150\"\/>\n<p class=\"flex-caption\">Tofu and veggie lunch at Cafe Pesto, Hilo<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span>Kona Coffee Tour<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Though there are hundreds of coffee farms of varying sizes on the island, only some give public tours. Try Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation and learn about how they grow and roast their pure Kona coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>This particular bean, grown in north and south Kona, is considered one of the best-quality coffees in the world. The beans ain\u2019t cheap, but be sure to buy yourself a small bag to savor at home.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span>Waimea<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>This town on the north shore of the island has everything you\u2019d need in terms of retail outlets, but I go for the food. Village Burger is near and dear to my heart with its unique burgers (including the Waipio Taro Burger), delicious fries and, amazing milkshakes. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Head about 15 miles east of Waimea and you\u2019ll find Tex Drive-In in Honokaa for the best malasadas on the island. Get plain or cream-filled and accept that it\u2019s hard to stop at just one. Think of it this way: Because you\u2019re on your own, no one will ever know!.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><\/p>\n<div class=\"small-width-image-container lansdscape-070732a7-50ee-63e1-bbde-ff000073f150\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/images\/default-source\/user-beth-whitman\/hawaii-island-beth-volcano-[size_512x290].jpg\" id=\"landscape-070732a7-50ee-63e1-bbde-ff000073f150\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"Title\">The author, at Hawai&#8217;i Volcanoes National Park<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span>Hawai&#8217;i Volcanoes National Park<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Rent a car and take a trip to this national park in the state\u2019s southeast corner. During a half-day visit, you can cover quite a bit of the park. Circle the summit caldera, watch smoke rise from the caldera floor, or take a hike among the many wilderness trails.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>If you&#8217;re lucky, you might be there when there&#8217;s lava flow activity (which, in my opinion, is best viewed at night). I was able to see some from a distance but unfortunately, this isn&#8217;t something that can be planned for.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span>Stand up paddle boarding<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>If you\u2019re looking for a bit of exercise, take a stand up paddle boarding class at <a href=\"http:\/\/sitefinity-prod.cmdpdx.com\/Sitefinity\/Dialog\/ContentViewEditDialog?stop_mobi=yes&#038;brandcid=social..blog.ViewFinder.130601?stop_mobi=yes&#038;brandcid=social..blog.ViewFinder.130601\">The Fairmont Orchid<\/a>. The Hui Holokai Beach Club offers two-hour lessons by appointment. I was a bit nervous in trying this out my first time, but the lessons are given in a protected lagoon and you only have to venture out into the ocean if you want to (I did, and ended up loving it!).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span><strong>What are your favorite activities on Hawai&#8217;i, the Big Island?<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><br \/> <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Enjoying the wonders of Hawai&apos;i Island on your own<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":13322,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1789,1813,2008,1782,1775,1816,1890,1788,1797,1792,1774,1843,1873,1818,1825,1776,1807],"tags":[61,45,15],"authors":[2225],"class_list":["post-17742","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adventure","category-beach","category-big-island","category-destinations","category-fall","category-food-and-drink","category-hawaii","category-interests","category-luxury","category-nature","category-occasions-and-seasons","category-solo","category-spring","category-summer","category-tropical","category-type-of-vacation","category-winter","tag-spring-break","tag-surfing","tag-winter-break","authors-beth-whitman","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.3 - 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