Imagine a place where you could bask in the colors, the tastes, and smells of tropical summer, all the time. A place where you can enjoy exotic, juicy, fruits for very little money. This place is the Hilo Farmer's Market. The farmer's market can be deceptively unassuming place on a rainy, gray Saturday morning. Clusters of white tents flank the road and keep you from seeing exactly what's going on inside. As I made my way through the entrance, I kept a watchful eye on the ground and the overflowing pile of coconuts at my feet.
For a few bucks, they'll split one open and drop in a straw, but my hand's weren't willing to give up that real estate, just yet, so instead, I look up and beyond.
My line of sight becomes full of papayas and mangos, pineapples and other fruits I don't recognize. Where to begin? I've got $10 in my pocket and a challenge to see how far it might go. I set out to wander and to find a bargain.





















