Sunday, August 9

The white tiger at Pana`ewa Rain Forest Zoo

Lava flowing into the Pacific

Hot lava making it's way towards the ocean

Returning to Hilo

Posing with our Dispatch Travel section

Up early today! We are all excited as today we will be taking our helicopter ride over the lava fields. Our reservation isn't until 12:45 so we are going to stop at the Pana`ewa Rain forest Zoo & Gardens. It is the only rain forest zoo in the United States. The zoo is on 12 acres and is home to more than 75 animal species and 100 varieties of Palm. We really enjoyed our time there and especially liked the white tiger. There was also a nice collection of primates including tamarins, spider monkeys and capuchins. After the zoo we gulped down some pizza and headed to the Hilo airport to the helicopter pad. We had a flight briefing and then it was out to load up in the helicopter. Richard was our captain for the tour and with over 28 years of experience he was great. He made sure everyone in the helicopter got a good view of whatever we were looking at. We flew over a housing development that had been completely covered by lava as well as a red hot lava stream flowing towards the ocean. The trip was absolutely awesome!!