October 25 and 26: Leisurely days in Kona, at the beach and snorkeling. Connie's favorite pastime is snorkeling. She would be in the water daily, if possible. I think she is akin to Ariel, in Disney's Little Mermaid. Papa just follows along for ride. I like snorkeling too, and it certainly is a different world underwater. The sights are spectacular and sea life abundant, beautiful, colorful, and full of surprises and wonder. These two days we snorkeled at A-Bay (name to long to remember) and at Kahaluu beach park. The latter is the best on the big island, on par with Kealekekua Bay for sure.
Monday night it was pack up and prepare for our departure Tuesday morning, via Hawaiian airlines, for the 35 minute flight to Maui. More from Maui, later.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
A romantic evening sunset cruise
Saturday, October 24: After a leisurely morning and an early afternoon swim at the pool, we headed for the King Kam Hotel, to board our Body Glove catamarran for a historic narrated dinner cruise down the coast from Kona to Kealakekua Bay and Captain Cook's monument. Did you know that that little piece of ground was ceeded to the British Empire by the Hawaiians out of respect for Captain Cook. Each year a frigate of the British Navy visits the site to tend and care for the monument and the small piece of ground surrounding it. The monument is set off form the surrounding area by heavy chain connected to cannon barrels mounted vertically in the concrete, with a cannon ball on top of each.
As we cruised down the coast our historian briefed us on the historic significance of varous areas of the coastline, including a look at a very long water slide built by the Hawaiians for the Alli (big chiefs) It ran from high in the hills all the way to the ocean. Must have been a royal treat to slide a few thousand feet down to the sea.
Arriving in Kealekekua Bay, a review of the historic significance of the that area, the interaction of the Hawaiians and the British under Captain Cook, and the little misunderstanding between the Hawaiians and the British that led to the death of Captain Cook. Seems it all started with the Hawaiians stealing a shore boat from the Brits. They did not want the boat, but he nails in the boat. Iron nails were a new and sought after treasure for the Hawaiians. Captain Cool wanted it back, since British seamen and officers for the most part could not swim. Swimming was not a requirement in the British Navy at that time, so as to discourage desertion by swimming to shore. He went with 14 British seamen to take a chief hostage under false pretense, until the Hawaiians would return his shore boat. A Hawaiian threw a rock that struck Captain Cook. He bled from the site of impact, and the Hawaiians realized that he was not their god, Lono, after all. The season of peace had ended, the season of ware had begun, and Captain Cook and 14 of his crew were killed by the Hawaiians. I guess...no god, no special considerations.
Dinner and dancing on the sunset return to Kona with music of one cool, big Hawaiian dude on his guitar. He was darn good, and the music was contemporary, not Hawaiian. Dolphins and flying fish accompanied us and the boat on the return trip. Dinner included Lau Lau Pork, beef Kabobs, Teryaki Chicken wings, breads, Lomi Lomi Salmon, Caesar salad and beverages. A beautiful and romantic trip in the setting sun of Kona.
As we cruised down the coast our historian briefed us on the historic significance of varous areas of the coastline, including a look at a very long water slide built by the Hawaiians for the Alli (big chiefs) It ran from high in the hills all the way to the ocean. Must have been a royal treat to slide a few thousand feet down to the sea.
Arriving in Kealekekua Bay, a review of the historic significance of the that area, the interaction of the Hawaiians and the British under Captain Cook, and the little misunderstanding between the Hawaiians and the British that led to the death of Captain Cook. Seems it all started with the Hawaiians stealing a shore boat from the Brits. They did not want the boat, but he nails in the boat. Iron nails were a new and sought after treasure for the Hawaiians. Captain Cool wanted it back, since British seamen and officers for the most part could not swim. Swimming was not a requirement in the British Navy at that time, so as to discourage desertion by swimming to shore. He went with 14 British seamen to take a chief hostage under false pretense, until the Hawaiians would return his shore boat. A Hawaiian threw a rock that struck Captain Cook. He bled from the site of impact, and the Hawaiians realized that he was not their god, Lono, after all. The season of peace had ended, the season of ware had begun, and Captain Cook and 14 of his crew were killed by the Hawaiians. I guess...no god, no special considerations.
Dinner and dancing on the sunset return to Kona with music of one cool, big Hawaiian dude on his guitar. He was darn good, and the music was contemporary, not Hawaiian. Dolphins and flying fish accompanied us and the boat on the return trip. Dinner included Lau Lau Pork, beef Kabobs, Teryaki Chicken wings, breads, Lomi Lomi Salmon, Caesar salad and beverages. A beautiful and romantic trip in the setting sun of Kona.
OMG Manta Rays
Friday, pm, October 23: Friday afternoon, about it was off to Honohau Harbor for a trip aboard Neptune Charley's Manta, and a 30 minute cruise out to a spot in the ocean just offshore from the Kona Airport. It was a night snorkel with the Manta Ray. OMG...there must have been 15 gentle giants swimming up from a depth of 20-30 feet toward us earthlings clinging to a 5' diameter life ring with underwater halogen lights directed toward the bottom. In front of each halogen lantern was a snow storm of plankton to feed the gentle giants. That is all they eat. Manta Rays with 8 to 14 foot wing spans, black on top and white underbellies with individual spots and markings, mouth wide open big enough for your whole body to fit inside....and they were eating plankton only....need about 100 pounds per day per manta. What an underwater ballet by these beautiful creatures, who would swim up to about 12 inches, or less, from you face, and roll gently over on their backs and back down to the bottom, only to repeat these figure "O"s 5, 6, 10 times. And you could have 3 or 4 mantas doing this all at the same time, and never bump into each other, or to you. It was as if they were synchronized swimmers. It was an awesome sight, that can only be experienced in person. What a trip....45 minutes with the Manta Rays. No stingers...Mantas do not sting, bite, bump or do anything harmful.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Friday a busy day, like always
October 23: When Connie and I worked for Pay 'n Save Drugs we met Arlene Buckles, also a Pay 'n Save Pharmacy type person. Connie has kept in touch with Arlene ever since she left Seattle and moved to Hawaii. There she met and married Christian, and the two live happily in Kailua-Kona. We contacted Arlene about our trip to the Big Island and she visited us here at WorldMark-Kona the day after we arrived. We were invited to have breakfast with her and Christian on Friday morning October 23. They have a beautiful home in Makalei Estates, overlooking the ocean and above the airport (not a distraction at all). It was a great visit with good friends, and needless to say a marvelous island breakfast. Christian showed around his 3 acre property with banana trees, paypaya trees, pineapple plants, guava, lemons, ti plants, flowers and palms of many descriptions. Christian is beginning work on his hydroponic garden, and it was fascinating to hear about this soiless type of gardening. After breakfast they took us to Montain Thunder Coffee plantation for an informative tour and tasting...small operation and great Kona coffee. We also had the opportunity to accompany them on a tour of a home being offered for sale in their neighborhood. What a beauty. 3000 sf of living space, 1000 sf of it covered lanai, 3 car garage, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and a swimming pool and their own private lava tube and 1000 coffee trees ready for the first harvest next year. A dream location, also overlooking the ocean, above the airport, and the asking price just 1.2 million. A steal for this home, since that 3 acres of land alone is worth 600,000 undeveloped. Andrew thought we should just buy, and he and Jon would help us pay for it. Hmmmmm....with what funds?
It was a great visit with two wonderful people, and good friends.
Thursday is a FREE day
October 22: Back from our excursion to Hilo and Thursday is a free day. Get up late (7:00 am Hawaii time), fix breakfast, check the email and internet news, and then head off to Miller's Shore and Surf to rent snorkels, masks, and fins....cause we are going snorkeling at Kahaluu Beach Park, one of the best beginner to intermediate snorkeling areas on the Big Island. It is easy access and protected by a menehune built breakwater that runs half way across the entrance to the bay. There is a story as to why the menehune only built the break water halfway acroos the bay. Seems that this was the favorite place for the Alii to surf. The menehune only build at night and stop with the crack of dawn The Alii did not like this destruction of their surfing bay, so in the middle of the night one chief made crowing sounds like a rooster. Well the menehune stopped building their breakwater halfway finished, and that is how it stands to this day. You guessed it....no pictures, except for the underwater camera....real 35mm film, no transfer to the computer.
Back to our goal...the park, the water, snorkeling. This is a great area. There is a bazillion tropical fish of all colors of the rainbow. My favorite is the Moorish Idol...yellow, black and white. A beautiful butterfly fish. The parrot fish are also beautiful...multi colors...blues, orange or red, yellow...o I can't remember. Do know that they eat at the coral and deposit sand as a bi product of the coral diet. These little guys are responsible for nice sand beaches. Also swam with a few eels and several Honu....Hawaiian Green Turtles, very graceful in the water and fun to watch. Protected...Kapu to touch...$10,000 fine if caught. Guess that is true of snorkeling and enjoying the marine life in Hawaii. Don't feed the fish, don't touch the turtles, don't stand on the coral...live colony. Leave everything the way you found it, take away only pictures and memories. Also, whoa the person who takes lava rock belonging to Pele. Leave where you found it or only bad will come to you courtesy of Lady Pele.
This is a great little county park (County of Hawaii...each island is a separate county and these are broken into several districts).
Back to our goal...the park, the water, snorkeling. This is a great area. There is a bazillion tropical fish of all colors of the rainbow. My favorite is the Moorish Idol...yellow, black and white. A beautiful butterfly fish. The parrot fish are also beautiful...multi colors...blues, orange or red, yellow...o I can't remember. Do know that they eat at the coral and deposit sand as a bi product of the coral diet. These little guys are responsible for nice sand beaches. Also swam with a few eels and several Honu....Hawaiian Green Turtles, very graceful in the water and fun to watch. Protected...Kapu to touch...$10,000 fine if caught. Guess that is true of snorkeling and enjoying the marine life in Hawaii. Don't feed the fish, don't touch the turtles, don't stand on the coral...live colony. Leave everything the way you found it, take away only pictures and memories. Also, whoa the person who takes lava rock belonging to Pele. Leave where you found it or only bad will come to you courtesy of Lady Pele.
This is a great little county park (County of Hawaii...each island is a separate county and these are broken into several districts).
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Hilo Excursion
October 19 thru 21: We left Kona a little later than we had planned, but hey, this is Hawaii and we are certainly on island time by now. we decided to drive south from Kona, visit the Volcano then on to Hilo. Along the way we were treated to vistas of the ocean from high up the cliffs, passed several coffee plantations and could catch whiffs of coffee being roasted. A fruit stand beckoned and we filled up the ice chest with farm fresh fruit, papaya, guava, mango, and a couple of others that were a must try, but I cannot remember their names, and when it came time to eat them, well, I couldn't remember which were peel and scoop and which were eat as is.
Trial and error, and only one fruit remaind that we could not eat.
Using the "blue bible", we stopped at a Ono bakery and restaurant in Naalehu, that was known for its pies. We opted to eat lunch before ordering pie, but then were too full, for a big slice of cream pie, so opted to split a mac nut pie, think pecan, but made with mac nuts.
Then on to Volcano National Park. Russ was excited to learn that he qualified for a senior pass, that now entitles him and his passengers entrance to all National Parks and Federal lands for free, after the initial 10 dollar fee, forever! The look on his face was priceless, you would have thought he won the lottery. Ranks right up there with getting his medicare card. Guess getting old still has some benies. We stopped at the visitor center, got our map and noted that most of the road around the crater was closed due to "bad air", the volcano was emiting so much gas that it was a health hazard and they had to close the roads. Not to be deterred, we continued to the road closed sign and looked at the steam vents from the vista, but as we approached the rim, the fog/ vog moved in and covered the view as the rain started pelting down. Fortunately we had visited the park on a previous trip and spent a lot of time exploring lava tubes and enjoying the Volcano in better weather. Since it was now getting late and we had been instructed to find our B&B in the daylight we left the Volcano to Miss Pele and a future visit.
Hilo, as promised, was damp and misty, we followed the printed directions turning onto a one lane road, winding 4 miles up the mountain side, thru massive tree lined tunnels. Birds chirping and frogs singing. On we went, trying to see the signposts for our B & B, Mac Nut forests now, and the roadway narrower and bumpy. Good thing it was still light. At last around a bend, we sighted our destination. A group of Japanese style, Pagoda shaped buildings,perched on a ledge overlooking a real 120 foot waterfall. We had arrived at our destination, Kulaniapa Falls. Researching a B&B on line, reading all the reviews, one never knows just what you will end up with, so we were taking a chance on this one. We were not disappointed at all. We found our upstairs corner room, looking at a view of Hilo below and the water fall roaring off of our Lani, unpacked and headed back down to Hilo for a delightful dinner at another ono restaurant, Cafe Pesto, recommend by a good friend back home. Russ and I both had seared Ahi over pasta with fresh local mushrooms. Ummmmm. Now back to our room in the dark.......Glad we had made the first trip in the daylight.
we awakened during the night to a raging rain storm, the open gutters on the roof next to our bed roared with the force of the downpour. Up at sunrise, I couldn't resist going right out and exploring. The waterfall seemed to have doubled in volume as well as changing color to a dusty brown. Decided right then and there I was not going to swim in the falls that day. A light mist hung over the trees as the sun came up and I imagined I was in Jurasic Park, I expected a Brontasauras to poke his nose thru the top of the palm fronds at any moment. I did see the wild pigs roaming the grass in front of our building and as I wander into the Mac nut forest, I saw where they had tipped over a full bag of harvested nuts, and had a fine meal.
After a fine breakfast prepared to order, we sat and shared coffee with fellow travelers, then we were off to explore Hilo. Spent a couple of hours touring a formal Japanese style garden, lots of orchids and trees and flowers. Lunch at a local joint, Cafe 100, a drive-in with lanai tables, famous for it loco moco, a bowl of rice topped with meat (usually spam or hamburger pattie) and an egg and gravy over all, not for the cholestrol conscious of us. Lyman museum provided a respite from the rain, as well as an informative and entertaining look at Hawaiian culture, geologic history and photo gallery. Dinner was at another recommended cafe, Hilo has a variety of good eating places. We chose Hilo Bay cafe, upscale food, in a shopping center location. Russ enjoyed grilled island beef steak and Connie tried yet another fish, poached opakapaka, over basil polenta. Dinner rated another ONO (the best). Wednesday morning we packed up, sorry to say good by to a real peaceful and beautiful spot on the Island headed to the world famous Hilo market. Could not pass up bargins, like papayas 5 for a buck. not just your little baby ones either. Got more long beans and also wing beans, onions, pineapple and I wanted just a piece of ginger but the gal did not want to break up her bundles, so I got about 10 pieces for a buck. The trunk was full of produce when we left, heading for another Garden, Hawaiian Tropical Botanical Garden on Onomea Bay. we spent 2 hours walking thru a Jungle, Tropical Paradise, with flowers in bloom,nestled up against the crashing surf. Good thing we bought bug spray, who would have thought the mosquitoes would be that close to the ocean. We headed up coast for our next destination. Tex Drive In. Home to world famous malasadas. We lunched on sandwiches, but while they were being prepared the hostess offered the malasadas while we waited. Wow, desert before lunch....yipee. this is a crispy cream gone to heaven. A light doughnut without a hole, stuffed with your choice of fillings, like bravarian cream, mango, rasberry, lemon. Well of course we had to order some.....to take back to Kona with us, and they have held up very well over of a couple of days.
Trial and error, and only one fruit remaind that we could not eat.
Using the "blue bible", we stopped at a Ono bakery and restaurant in Naalehu, that was known for its pies. We opted to eat lunch before ordering pie, but then were too full, for a big slice of cream pie, so opted to split a mac nut pie, think pecan, but made with mac nuts.
Then on to Volcano National Park. Russ was excited to learn that he qualified for a senior pass, that now entitles him and his passengers entrance to all National Parks and Federal lands for free, after the initial 10 dollar fee, forever! The look on his face was priceless, you would have thought he won the lottery. Ranks right up there with getting his medicare card. Guess getting old still has some benies. We stopped at the visitor center, got our map and noted that most of the road around the crater was closed due to "bad air", the volcano was emiting so much gas that it was a health hazard and they had to close the roads. Not to be deterred, we continued to the road closed sign and looked at the steam vents from the vista, but as we approached the rim, the fog/ vog moved in and covered the view as the rain started pelting down. Fortunately we had visited the park on a previous trip and spent a lot of time exploring lava tubes and enjoying the Volcano in better weather. Since it was now getting late and we had been instructed to find our B&B in the daylight we left the Volcano to Miss Pele and a future visit.
Hilo, as promised, was damp and misty, we followed the printed directions turning onto a one lane road, winding 4 miles up the mountain side, thru massive tree lined tunnels. Birds chirping and frogs singing. On we went, trying to see the signposts for our B & B, Mac Nut forests now, and the roadway narrower and bumpy. Good thing it was still light. At last around a bend, we sighted our destination. A group of Japanese style, Pagoda shaped buildings,perched on a ledge overlooking a real 120 foot waterfall. We had arrived at our destination, Kulaniapa Falls. Researching a B&B on line, reading all the reviews, one never knows just what you will end up with, so we were taking a chance on this one. We were not disappointed at all. We found our upstairs corner room, looking at a view of Hilo below and the water fall roaring off of our Lani, unpacked and headed back down to Hilo for a delightful dinner at another ono restaurant, Cafe Pesto, recommend by a good friend back home. Russ and I both had seared Ahi over pasta with fresh local mushrooms. Ummmmm. Now back to our room in the dark.......Glad we had made the first trip in the daylight.
we awakened during the night to a raging rain storm, the open gutters on the roof next to our bed roared with the force of the downpour. Up at sunrise, I couldn't resist going right out and exploring. The waterfall seemed to have doubled in volume as well as changing color to a dusty brown. Decided right then and there I was not going to swim in the falls that day. A light mist hung over the trees as the sun came up and I imagined I was in Jurasic Park, I expected a Brontasauras to poke his nose thru the top of the palm fronds at any moment. I did see the wild pigs roaming the grass in front of our building and as I wander into the Mac nut forest, I saw where they had tipped over a full bag of harvested nuts, and had a fine meal.
After a fine breakfast prepared to order, we sat and shared coffee with fellow travelers, then we were off to explore Hilo. Spent a couple of hours touring a formal Japanese style garden, lots of orchids and trees and flowers. Lunch at a local joint, Cafe 100, a drive-in with lanai tables, famous for it loco moco, a bowl of rice topped with meat (usually spam or hamburger pattie) and an egg and gravy over all, not for the cholestrol conscious of us. Lyman museum provided a respite from the rain, as well as an informative and entertaining look at Hawaiian culture, geologic history and photo gallery. Dinner was at another recommended cafe, Hilo has a variety of good eating places. We chose Hilo Bay cafe, upscale food, in a shopping center location. Russ enjoyed grilled island beef steak and Connie tried yet another fish, poached opakapaka, over basil polenta. Dinner rated another ONO (the best). Wednesday morning we packed up, sorry to say good by to a real peaceful and beautiful spot on the Island headed to the world famous Hilo market. Could not pass up bargins, like papayas 5 for a buck. not just your little baby ones either. Got more long beans and also wing beans, onions, pineapple and I wanted just a piece of ginger but the gal did not want to break up her bundles, so I got about 10 pieces for a buck. The trunk was full of produce when we left, heading for another Garden, Hawaiian Tropical Botanical Garden on Onomea Bay. we spent 2 hours walking thru a Jungle, Tropical Paradise, with flowers in bloom,nestled up against the crashing surf. Good thing we bought bug spray, who would have thought the mosquitoes would be that close to the ocean. We headed up coast for our next destination. Tex Drive In. Home to world famous malasadas. We lunched on sandwiches, but while they were being prepared the hostess offered the malasadas while we waited. Wow, desert before lunch....yipee. this is a crispy cream gone to heaven. A light doughnut without a hole, stuffed with your choice of fillings, like bravarian cream, mango, rasberry, lemon. Well of course we had to order some.....to take back to Kona with us, and they have held up very well over of a couple of days.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Our trip to the top of the world...Mauna Kea
October 18: Today we boarded our mini bus for a trip with Hawaii Forest and Trail, for our 9 hour expedition to the top of Mauna Kea and the Hawaiian sunset among the many telescopes atop the world's highest mountain, if you measure from the ocean floor...14,000 feet above sea level and almost 30,000 feet below sea level. The air is thin at 14,000 feet, temperature COLD, and the sunset is a glorious site. Following sunset we desended to the 9500 foot level for hot chocolate and a little star, planet (Jupiter) and nebula gazing. The whole trip was awesome, and our guide was a great story teller, expert on the area and its inhabitants, and its history. Monday, we are off to Hilo for a few days.
Snorkeling day at City of Refuge
October 17: Again no photos, as today was another trip to the ocean for snorkeling at Honaunau Bay (City of Refuge). City of Refuge is a reconstruction of a Hawaiian village on this beautiful bay and it is a National Park. The grass huts and grounds give us a glimpse into ancient Hawaiian life. Hawaiian attendants demonstrate how the ancient Hawaiians lived and worked. One Hawaiian was demonstrating cutting bone to make hooks for fishing. He told how the Hawaiians created and used a special hook for catching octapus. His story was fascinating. The City of Refuge itself is a walled area with the village, where "kapu" breakers could retreat to be absolved of their crime. Break a Kapu (law) and escape to the City of Refuge and live, or fail and die for your crime against society.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Snorkeling at Kealakehua Bay
October 16: No pictures today, as we didn't bring the digital camera on our 4 hour trip to Kealakekua Bay, aboard the Fair Winds catamaran, Hula Kai, with Captain Kirk :) and his crew. About a 45 minute cruise to the national marine reserve and the site of Captain Cook's monument.
It was here that Captain Cook first landed in the Hawaiian Islands, and where he first encountered the Hawaiian people. In the Hawaiian calendar of seasons, it was the season of peace. An old Hawaiian legend talked about he coming of a great king on a barge with great white banners (sign of peace) during this season of peace. Along came Captain Cook and crew on his great sailing ship with billowing white sails. For the Hawaiian's it was the fulfillment of the legend. He was welcomed by 10,000 Hawaiians and about 1500 canoes. Cook spent about 18 days with the Hawaiians, then continued his search for the Northwest passage to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. He sailed up the western US coastline to the cold waters of Alaska. Failing to find the passage, Cook returned to Hawaii to warm up. Unfortunately for Cook, the season had changed from the season of peace to the season of war, and his second welcome at Kalakehua Bay was not as warm as the first. There was an altercation between Cook, his crew and the Hawaiians. Cook and 14 of his crew were killed. End of the Cook's expedition to find the Northwest passage :(
Moored at Kalakekua Bay, we enjoyed an hour or so of snorkeling over the coral, along the shoreline , many varieties of colorful tropical fish, some eels, a Honu (rare in the Bay), and of course the beautiful coral formations. Then back aboard the Hula Kai for BBQ lunch (hamburgers, cheese burgers, hot dogs, with all the trimmings, and beverages. After lunch back in the water for another hour snorkeling around the bay shoreline. But first we needed to jump off the catamaran's second level high dive platform. Two old geesers (sp) took there turns to the cheering of the 30 other shipmates. Momma Connie was the winner of the dive/jump competition, not sure if it was her jumping style or her splash. Her jump earned her a free Mai Tai on the return trip. We passed on the water slide, to get back in the water for our second hour of snorkeling.
It was a great trip, execellent snorkeling, great crew, good food, and friendly shipmates. We arrive back at our port on Keauhou Bay about 2:00 pm.
There will be underwater pictures, and a DVD our our experience on our return home.
It was here that Captain Cook first landed in the Hawaiian Islands, and where he first encountered the Hawaiian people. In the Hawaiian calendar of seasons, it was the season of peace. An old Hawaiian legend talked about he coming of a great king on a barge with great white banners (sign of peace) during this season of peace. Along came Captain Cook and crew on his great sailing ship with billowing white sails. For the Hawaiian's it was the fulfillment of the legend. He was welcomed by 10,000 Hawaiians and about 1500 canoes. Cook spent about 18 days with the Hawaiians, then continued his search for the Northwest passage to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. He sailed up the western US coastline to the cold waters of Alaska. Failing to find the passage, Cook returned to Hawaii to warm up. Unfortunately for Cook, the season had changed from the season of peace to the season of war, and his second welcome at Kalakehua Bay was not as warm as the first. There was an altercation between Cook, his crew and the Hawaiians. Cook and 14 of his crew were killed. End of the Cook's expedition to find the Northwest passage :(
Moored at Kalakekua Bay, we enjoyed an hour or so of snorkeling over the coral, along the shoreline , many varieties of colorful tropical fish, some eels, a Honu (rare in the Bay), and of course the beautiful coral formations. Then back aboard the Hula Kai for BBQ lunch (hamburgers, cheese burgers, hot dogs, with all the trimmings, and beverages. After lunch back in the water for another hour snorkeling around the bay shoreline. But first we needed to jump off the catamaran's second level high dive platform. Two old geesers (sp) took there turns to the cheering of the 30 other shipmates. Momma Connie was the winner of the dive/jump competition, not sure if it was her jumping style or her splash. Her jump earned her a free Mai Tai on the return trip. We passed on the water slide, to get back in the water for our second hour of snorkeling.
It was a great trip, execellent snorkeling, great crew, good food, and friendly shipmates. We arrive back at our port on Keauhou Bay about 2:00 pm.
There will be underwater pictures, and a DVD our our experience on our return home.
Friday, October 16, 2009
A trip to North Kohala on the Big Island
Thursday, Oct 15: Day began early (6:00 am) with coffee and a light breakfast, and then to farmers market for local fruit and vegetables. After checking out the departure point for our first guided adventure Friday (morning snorkel cruise to Kealakekua Bay), we headed off to the north end of the Big Island of Hawaii. The area is called Kohala Coast and North Kohala, the town is Hawi (pronounced Havee), and the end of the road overlooking the lush green Pololu Valley and the rugged north coast.
Enroute we spent a little over an hour at Mauna Kea Beach (pix), and then lunch at the Bamboo Cafe (pix) for fresh herb grilled Mahi Mahi with rice and Passion fruit ice tea. For dessert, just across the street to Tropical Dreams Ice Cream store (the best ice cream in the islands, made in Waimea on the Big Island).
Then back to Kona, through the lush green and rolling hills of Kohala, around the base of Mona Kea, past cinder cones covered with lush vegetation, down the dryer hill side and across the black lava flows north of the airport into Kailua Kona, just in time for another spectacular sunset over the bay. It is dark in Kailua Kona by 6:45, no twilight.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Wednesday in Kona
Started our day at 5:00 am, Hawaii time. Light breakfast of English muffins, yogurt and fruit, coffee. Off at 9:00 am to a poolside Aloha orientation and info on the Big Island and some exciting ways to see it. Booked at sunset/night skies trip to the top of Mauna Kea (world's highest mountain...47,000+ feet above the ocean floor), a morning snorkel trip to Captain Cooks inlet, a sunset evening dinner cruise, and a night snorkel trip to observe the Manta Rays.
Spent the rest of the day shopping....at Walmart for essentials, swimming in the pool, visiting with an old friend from Pay 'n Save days, who moved to Hawaii about 20 years ago. Great to see her. Connie and Arlene have kept in touch via email. Then off to our front lanai for a look at the Kona sunset, before dinner.
Kailua-Kona Hawaii
Arrived at Kona airport at 2:45 pm Seattle time, 11:45 Kona time....exhausted from short night and long flight. Picked up our car, Nissan Altima, scouted the Kailua-Kona area, had lunch at Bongo Ben's at ocean's edge....Ahi Fish Taco for Connie, and for Russ BBQ Pulled-pork sandwich with rice. Pulled the pork off the sandwich and mixed with the rice......hmmmmm, Hawaiian style (waiter's suggestion). Then off to WorldMark-Kona, checked into our 2 bedroom condo on the 3rd floor. Entrance lanai overlooks the ocean across the street and the back lanai overlooks the pool and the mountain.
Off to SeaTac and Hawaii
Packed late into the night Monday and got up early Tuesday morning. Our private car arrived at 5:30 am for the drive to SeaTac. Arrived there at 6:15 am, boarded our Alaska Airlines 737-800 at 8:10 am, departed the gate at 8:40 am, off the ground and airborne at 9:03 am, for the 5 hr 45 min flight to Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Packin' to be On Our Way to Hawaii>>>
Leaving on a jet plane, Tuesday morning. Not sure when we'll be back again. Sometime next month???
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