http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/nateker/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from nateker en-us Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:14:03 +0000 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:14:03 +0000 Kona Day 4 62209 We had a casual day and rested most of the morning having to catch up on laundry and do some swimming at the resort pool. We decided early on that we should go on a dinner cruise having enjoyed them in the past with historical perspectives being offered as part of the trip. Now when I called and booked this dinner I was met with the following Its Gay Pride night bu http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Big-Island/Kailua-Kona/blog-413040.html Oahu Day 4 62509 Sadly our trip comes to an end on the 25th but with the stark reality of returning to real life hitting us squarely in the face like the ocean breeze we went out with a bang. The morning started with a 2 mile run for me preparing for the 4th of July 5 K and then we took one last stroll along the Waikiki beach front. We waded in the waters saw some schools of interest http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Oahu/Waikiki/blog-412736.html Oahu 623 Day 2 We spent the day at Pearl Harbor. Although I could not tell you what ship Grandpa Ker was on I know he was in the pacific front and flew planes off the aircraft carriers during WWII so this trip had some extra special meaning. Pearl Harbor is an all day experience but the number of memorials and exhibits to see are many so we chose to see the USS Arizona Memorial the Bo http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Oahu/blog-412326.html Day 3 624 The weather was wonderful today warm but not too humid. This is a good thing too as we hiked up Diamondhead today an old volcano crater. The crater is in an interesting location with views of the Windward Waikiki and other locations. It is said on a clear day the outlines of other islands in the chain can be seenThe hike is a 670 foot hike upwards with stairs dubbed http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Oahu/Waikiki/blog-412064.html Day 1 Oahu We spent the first half of the day flying out from Kona to Honolulu which was actually not that bad. The flight was fairly smooth with calming views of the ocean from the air. Once we arrived to Honolulu it was off to Waikiki Beach to take in the rays and sights. It is a truly amazing place packed with thousands of people on the beach and along the local shopping centers. We a http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Oahu/Waikiki/blog-411542.html Day Three on the Big Island 62009Day three was awesome We spent most of the morning driving down state highway 11 stopping several times on our way to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. We found South Point the southern most location in the United States. South point is referred to as Ka Lae and a barren land covered by dried grass lands cattle and an old wind farm that is not really http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Big-Island/Kailua-Kona/blog-410922.html Day 2 Kona We spend the day traveling to the east side of the island. Waterfalls and rain forests filled the morning with a visit to Akaka Falls State Park. The waterfall is over 400 feet After the stroll through the waterfall trails paved with stair rails we ventured to the World Botannical Gardens. This used to be a sugar cane field but is now complete with a water fall with three d http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Big-Island/Kailua-Kona/blog-410388.html Day 1 61809 We arrived in Kona at about 130 PM which is about 530 PM in Wyoming. We are staying at the Royal Kona Resort right on the ocean. The room is on the 6th floor with a room facing the ocean After a nice late lunch we strolled around the local area finding a Banyan Tree. Banyan trees have roots that grow from the top down into the ground. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Big-Island/Kailua-Kona/blog-410022.html