TRAVEL INSPIRATION

The Big Island gave us waterfalls, lush rainforest, sea turtles, delicious food, and an unforgettable nighttime manta ray tour. It also gave me a few lessons about planning a trip here—starting with the fact that this island deserves its name. We arrived on October 19, and while we narrowly missed a volcanic eruption, there was still so much to enjoy. Here’s what I loved, what surprised me, and what I’d do differently next time.