Hey there, fellow plant lovers and adventure seekers! I’m back to share a fun twist that my day took when I decided to check out a botanical garden in Hilo a few days ago. I had my mind set on lush greenery and sweet-smelling flowers, but guess what? Plans changed, and instead, we found ourselves at the gorgeous ʻAkaka Falls in Honomu, a cute little town just a short drive from Hilo.

It all kicked off when we were getting ready for the botanical gardens. I was pumped, but then someone mentioned the $30 entrance fee. Yikes! Don’t get me wrong; I appreciate a good garden, but those costs can pile up quickly when you’re on vacation. Plus, my friends were more into hanging out than strolling through plants! So, after a quick chat, we decided to ditch the botanical garden plan and go for something a little easier on the wallet.

And man, did that turn out to be a fantastic choice! As soon as we arrived at ʻAkaka Falls, we were hit with a wave of vibrant greenery all around us. The hike to the falls was like stepping into a magical world, weaving through a beautiful rainforest full of life. To get to the waterfall, we meandered down a picturesque trail, surrounded by towering trees, colorful ginger flowers, delicate ferns, and even a stunning bamboo forest that felt like it had a personality of its own. Oh, and we spotted a couple of cute little geckos darting around, adding to the charm of our adventure. Each step felt like we were diving deeper into a living postcard!

When we finally reached the observation deck, we were completely awestruck. The waterfall, a staggering 442 feet tall, cascaded into a pool surrounded by all that lush greenery—it was just breathtaking. We stood there soaking it all in and snapping a bunch of photos. In fact, I realized I didn’t even check out some of the pictures of the Fern Grotto and falls before we left, which just added to the excitement. They were stunning, another reminder of how magical nature really is.

Now, let’s talk about the little secret: I won’t confirm or deny that we might have snagged a few plant cuttings from the falls. The temptation to take home a piece of that tropical beauty was real!

One of the best parts of the day was simply being there with my two good friends. We laughed, shared our favorite travel stories, and breathed in that fresh air. Being outdoors with good company made everything feel so special! Sure, I may have missed out on the botanical gardens, but that day turned into an unforgettable adventure full of memories and a newfound appreciation for the beauty around us.

So, if you ever find yourself in Hilo and can’t decide whether to hit up a botanical garden or not, just remember: sometimes, the best adventures come from the unexpected. I’ll definitely get to those gardens next time, but for now, I’m just really thankful for the amazing moments we shared at ʻAkaka Falls.

Stay tuned for more stories from this plant-loving explorer—who knows what our next adventure will bring!