Richardson Beach
I mentioned that there was a second commercial stop, this one after the Akatsuka Orchid Gardens. That would be the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory and Tour.
Not exactly a photo stop, but certainly a tasty one as you can see from the bag of goodies Ursula is holding below:
Mauna Loa Factory
For a more photo-worthy destination we headed west back to State Road 11, north just past Hilo International Airport, and then east to Richardson Beach and Richardson Ocean park. It’s about a thirty-minute drive.
Richardson Beach
The attraction here is the black sand beach and the lava rock extending out into the ocean. You can get some pretty impressive shots here. But make sure you also head away from the shore for opportunities such as this:
Richardson Ocean Park
Today’s photo gallery will finish up this, our first port of call on that 28-day cruise around the Pacific. Next we’ll stop in Honolulu, but not your standard beach tour. We’ll be viewing the Arizona Memorial and the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in the Punch Bowl Crater instead.
Decisions — Murder in Paradise
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R. Doug Wicker — Author 