Portland, OR

No, we are actually supposed to be here. . .

A short layover on our way to Spokane has turned out to be a longer layover as our flight arrived from Kona  (are you ready?) almost one hour EARLY! Musta caught a major tail wind.

Now we just heard that our flight to Spokane has been DELAYED at least 1.5 hours. Now it is a very long layover. Oh well.

Goodbye Hawai'i

Hapuna Beach, HI

OK. Last day. We can’t come back to the snow from Hawaii without at least saying “we were at the beach”.  So the non-beach goers made a plan.

We started the morning by driving to two different private golf courses just to have a look. The first one was Hualalai where they held the PGA Champions (seniors) tournament a few weeks ago. We had to pass through a guarded gate and explain what we were doing to gain access. We were informed it is private property but were allowed in. Actually even though all these resorts are private they have to allow public access to their beaches by Hawaiian law, so we could have used that for our reason as well. The second course, Hapuna, wasn’t as fussy, just waved us through when we said we were going to the golf course. Anyway they both looked lovely and a bit more challenging than the one we did play, though not well used probably due to the cost - $250 plus to golf! Just because you pay that prices does not a good golfer make  – we saw some pretty bad flubs going on but the attire was impressive – meow, meow!

Golf course

After this little bit of exploring we headed to the beach. We had looked at all the beach sites and decided Hapuna Beach State Park looked the nicest with beautiful white, versus black sandy beach. The coast of the big island is pretty rugged so even though they say there are over 80 beaches it isn’t always possible to find the sandy ones. We thought we were getting there pretty early but the parking lot was getting full. Off we went, towels, cooler bag, camera, etc.  in hand, to join the throngs. The waves were impressive, the sand warm and fine, the crowds entertaining. We did enjoy our swim or should I call it bob in the warm water and incoming waves and had a great time watching the kids, young and old. The little ones were all having a great time either boogie boarding or just playing in the waves. By the time we were getting ready to go the tide was coming in so the waves were getting higher and the older kids were “surfing” or at least trying to ride a wave or two to shore – they weren’t very far out so could touch the bottom most of the time.

Wave rider

When we decided we had had enough of the sun and our suits had dried on our old bodies, we headed up the coast seeking a place for lunch. We found ourselves at a little café in the town of Kawaihae Harbour. Because we had had such a great time whale spotting a few days ago and we were already a good ways up the coast we carried on to the viewing sights from a few days ago and again saw lots of action out there. We also went to Hawi in search of more huli huli chicken but the wagon wasn’t there so had to make different dinner plans.

OK Where is the seaweed?

On our way back to the condo we stopped at the Queen’s and King’s malls (separate side by side malls) at Waikoloa Village – had a look around and again watched some golfers, had more ice cream – not macadamia nut today – then made our way back here.

The next task is to pack, yuck. This week had gone by way too fast. We have talked of coming back but for two weeks next time. Too many places to go so who knows when that return visit will be, but in the meantime we are here listening to the soft breezes in the palm trees and enjoying our last evening on the lanai.

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

The wind seemed to die down some time during the night so things were much calmer this morning. We made an early start as we wanted to spend the better part of the day in the Volcanoes Park and we knew it was an hour and half drive or more to the other side of the island. After doing some reading we learned you could go at the lava flow from the far side, walk on the old lava, etc. and see the plume of smoke from the current eruption so that was where we started. We found the parking area and did manage to walk on the lava to the ocean. It was pretty neat seeing how they are working on trying to rehabilitate this area. They had taken coconuts and “planted” or more like placed them along the way. Most of them have started to sprout trees.

Our next stop was the actual Volcanoes Park where we stopped for information and to read all the displays at the visitor’s center then proceeded to the “steam vents”. These are the accessible places along the edge of the crater where steam is continually being emitted. Next was the Jaggar Museum, with explanations of how they predict a pending eruption and info around the many past eruptions – very interesting. The Mauna Kea (Kilauea) caldera (crater) has been active since 2008 and is spewing out sulphur dioxide in substantial enough amounts to close the downwind portion of the Crater Rim Drive. 

Active volcano

We stopped at one of the lookout picnic areas to eat our lunch before proceeding further into the park to the Thurston Lava Tube, which is an underground tunnel that you can walk through. Lava had flown through this tube 500 years ago. One of our other short walks was along the Devastation Trail where the 1959 flow is in the process of re-vegetating.

Lava tube

On our drive home we stopped at an Orchid farm. It gives a perspective as to why they are so expensive when you see how long it takes from seeds to actual flowers.

We also stopped at another market for veggies for dinner. Decided to try taro root (boiled like potato) and jicama, a root-like veggie (raw in our salad). We have been enjoying all the fresh tropical produce.

Vicinity of Kona, HI

Yesterday as we were golfing the wind kicked up a bit during the last few holes. It continued overnight and today (gusts to 40 mph) as we left for the town of Kona but strangely abated almost completely about 15 miles from here.  Another illustration of the diversity of the big island.

Surf’s up! Isn’t that what they say when it gets windy like this and they can hit the boards or whatever they call it. We have seen some interesting ways to get your board to the water including strapping it to your scooter or carrying it while hitting the streets on a skateboard – all effective methods of transport.

Had a leisurely morning before heading off to Kona for a bit of sightseeing/shopping. The first stop was a book store we had read about “come in and pet a cat” which we did. The owner told us she thinks that is why people come in! She did have a good assortment of books though.

A shopping mall in paradise!

After much driving around looking for a parking spot we pulled into Hilo Hattie’s and did a bit of shopping. Left the car there –not sure we should have but the lot wasn’t that busy – and walked around until we found a spot for lunch. After lunch we decided to try the parking closer to town again and this time lucked out or should that be in?

 

    Hulihe'e Palace

With the car secured we were able to walk around the little very touristy area of Kona. We took a tour of the Hulihe’e Palace (built in 1838) and found the guide very informative. Apparently all the antiques from the palace had been sold but the Princess had kept a record and later the restorers were able to get a lot of it back so the original furnishings were there, including some beautiful hand carved armoires and marble tables. Interesting fact – the chandeliers and glass had been shipped from Italy packed in molasses, a very good cushion I would assume.

After walking about in the heat we just had to stop for another taste of chocolate macadamia nut ice cream. This stuff is getting addictive. Sweet tooth satisfied we made our way from Kona.

Macadamia nut chocolate ice cream!

As we got closer to Waikoloa Village where we are staying the winds picked up again. In fact the wind is so strong it has pushed over one of the big rattan chairs on the lanai and forced it into the corner!

Tonight we plan to go out for a prime rib dinner – the Friday night special at one of the local restaurants. We will see how good it is.

The royal banyon tree

P.S. Internet problems yesterday prevented inclusion of pictures in yesterday's blog but Doug did an update this morning.