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Published: September 6th 2023
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We were out the door early, as usual, arriving at our snorkeling spot next to the fancy Mauna Kea hotel around 8:30. There seemed to be only 2-3 more parking spots. The beach was lovely – the sand fine and cool. This is where the first fancy developments on the Big Island developed in the 60s, by one of the Rockefellers. Golf course, etc. We found some shade for our chairs and hopped in. Not as cold as usual in this very sheltered bay, perhaps because there was a lot of sand for a good ways out.
In fact, at first we didn’t see much (the sand sediment plus the fact that sand attracts pale fish) until we got out to the rocks and reef. Then the fish were plentiful and the water clear, with no fresh water to mix with it and make it seem oily. Even saw a turtle out there (and again when we finished – one was bobbing around in the surf).
Saw another zebra eel and a lovely variety – 2 hours. Then had a little rest and hopped in again for another hour. Time to check out another entry point nearby which took
us along a narrow road filled with a variety of houses – some small, some palatial. Then, because we had not taken any lunch with us, we stopped at the famous Malasada food truck. Pretty good, but not half as yummy as the Paradise Bakery’s had been.
Drove up the hill (Mauka) to Waikaloa Village for a looksee – started in the 80s, it’s increasing in population about 50% every 10 yeas. Amazing views of course.
Finally home for a quick turn around and then off to snorkel #2 – which is almost right in downtown Kailua Kona. Last time we were here it was too rough. This time it was a little churned up too, but the visibility was quite good, At the far end of the little bay the surfers ride the waves. Great variety of the usual, plus we found a SNOWFLAKE EEL – NEW ONE FOR US. Also a Crown Squirrelfish, NEW for us, but quite like ones we see in Aruba. And Jean swears she saw a new fish – shaped and floating like a yellow leaf. Unfortunately David didn’t hear her calls, and she had to take her own photo – just
as a Wedgetailed triggerfish bit her in the calf and spoiled the shot. That darned triggerfish must have been guarding a nest because we never could get close to that area and find the leafy fish again. Pooh.
When we got out we were helped up the slippery rocks by a nice couple who happened to live in Phoenix. Both were of Asian heritage and obviously new to snorkeling. I advised the lady that she might want to try it out in a pool first, as she said she couldn’t swim.
We were able to buy fresh fish again from our lady at the foot of our hill – ono this time, which is what we know as wahoo in Aruba. Went very well with rice and a can of corn mixed in. Walmart had absolutely no salads or greens for sale! Maybe because of Labor Day? It is absolutely lovely eating supper in our little garden, where it’s just the right temperature and the insects are singing away.
In case you are wondering, we’ve seen no signs of the wildfires that were here in L. Hawaii as well, but once we saw a jar for donations,
and the church service had a dedicated offering for the disaster in Maui. We can see Haleakala from here – it looks so close, but is probably 100 miles.
By the way, we are up to 7 new birds and 12 new fish.
The photo of the urchin "for Megan" is an allusion to the story we used to read about the hedgehog who kept gathering leaves and papers onto his quills. I think of Megan every time I see one of these pincushion urchins with things stuck on them.
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