So pick up really early, there were two vans, we were in the second van, but both vans pretty much stopped at the same places at the same times. I can't remember our guides name, local name, we kept bumping into the other vans guide, Tony. We wished we had Tony. Our guide was fairly new, seemed to have a bit of a chip on his shoulder, bagging all the over tourism in Hawaii and exploitation of the polynesian culture. But gee whiz he had some great stories, like about looking after Bruce Willis's kids and a lot of other amazing things about himself and how he lives.
Regardless, we stopped at the designated stops, a car park to look over the ocean and have a donut, then the blowhole stop. saw the blowhole. Then onto the free coffee souvenir shop stop. After that the free coffee macadamia shop stop. Don't expect to see macadamia orchard, they are all on the Big Island. Then onto somewhere else, I think it was lunch at the Shimp Place, at like 10.30am. Tony's van arrived at the same time.Tony bought a cooler box with water for his passengers. Our guide opened the van's boot so we could go to the cooler box ... and find no water. Never mind, drinks were cheap enough and the numerous places we stopped to spend money.
Then onto the snorkelling at the turtle bay. We saw no turtles, a few little fish, but hey that's nature. Was nice to snorkel and the water was warm. But our driver parked literally a mile from the beach and change rooms, we had to traipse over so much land in the hot sun to get to the beach with no shade. but hey, its all about the experience. I noticed another tour groups van parked right up at the change rooms. Somewhere during the day we stopped off at our guides fruit stall. People purchased fruit.
Then onto the Dole Plantation, where the commentary was '... we stop at the Dole Plantation, I don't really know why people want to stop here. But there is no time for the train or doing the maze'. It really was just another shop selling pineapple everything, most of it made in China, even the confectionary, believe it of not, most with artificial colour and flavourings. Want some pineapple relief? Have a fresh coconut (you know where they chop the top off a coconut and put in a straw?), Eight US dollars thanks.
After the long day, back to Waikiki. It was a long day, pleased to get back after sitting in a crowded full small bus for that many hours. To be fair, we did have a discounted ticket, which kid of matched the discounted feeling of the tour. There were a few interesting anecdotes, and pleased to have seen the island than not seen it. The landscapes were the most interesting. But I've been on better presented tours. Its true the guide makes the tour either great or not great.