JB: Hawai'i, a.k.a. the Big Island

Early sunset at Mauna Lani resort, Big Island Hawai'i

Okay, so I was a bit over-the-top in my critique of Kaua'i - my travelling companions violently disagreeing with my negative take on the isle, btw - but now, in any case, I'm too knackered to carp.
And, honestly, who would want to? Big Island is so eco, so green, so organic and cool... I love it and wish we could stay longer.
Am dead-beat this evening, however, because we've been going for over a week now and apart from a two-day 'break in' period, it's been go, go, go, as we traverse each island and hike to waterfalls, helicopter over volcanoes, hike some more, cycle here, zipline there, and then see some more. By six pm, I'm parched for a cocktail after hours in the heat rehydrating with my ever-present bottle of H20.

The waterfalls at Big Island's Tropical Botanical Gardens

So, we've been on Big Island for three days and this is the youngest of the eight Hawaii'an islands - 'young' in that it is only 500,000 years old and still, as a result of its great youth, has active volcanoes. We helicoptered over smouldering lava today ... needless to say, home properties in the area are going for a song!!! The last time a volcano erupted here was in 2007, then 2011... so we're talking "active" alright, and you wouldn't want to get in the way of a volcano in a huff.
Population here is around 150,000, compared to Kaua'i's 59,000, and Oahu's 1.2 million (with 800,000 of these living in Honolulu). We've been hearing a lot about King Kamehameha (sounds like Big Daddy Ha Ha), an especially aggressive seafarer who subjugated all the Hawaiian islands under his rule.
One of his descendants was responsible for his men spearing Captain Cook to death in 1779... a fact I did not know, having never learned Australian history. Fascinating to think that all Cook's travels blew up in the bay about 10 kilometres north from where our glossy Mauna Lani resort nestles...

Highlight of this island sojourn was a visit to an ocean cliff tropical botanical garden that had me, the world's worst photographer, snapping at every beautiful bloom in sight. I want to edit all the floral shots to a gentle piano sonata, if there is such a thing, and let it all wash over me again...
Next stop: Oprah's favourite island, Maui, which is more hip and trendy. Definitely something in Hawai'i to suit all tastes!!!!