Blogs from Kailua-Kona, Big Island, Hawaii, United States, North America - page 11

Susan had planned a snorkeling day for us but the winds and high surf were not cooperating and Kahalu'u Bay was closed. We were disappointed. Susan tried to "sweet talk" our way in but the life guards were having none of it! So we went back to Kona Resort and changed into street clothes - we were dressed with swim suit under shorts and T to be prepared to snorkel! There was a short "rest" period during which Susan learned Kahalu'u Bay was now opened - High winds and surf had died down. Being very close to our scheduled time for lunch at Keauhou Beach Resort, we went to lunch. Susan said perhaps we could go back to snorkel in the later afternoon after our walking tour of historic of Kailua-Kona. On the walking tour, we ... read more

Today after breakfast, we're all packed and in the coach luggage and all. Our first stop is Hawai'i Volcanos National Park. we walk through the rain forest and through an extinct lava tube. Rob & Susan tell us about the many trees, ferns, and blossoms of the rain forest. We drive up to the Jaggar Musem at the top of Kilauea crater. Once again, we couldn't see into the cauldera because of the heavy mist and rain (at least we got to use our rain coats). We had lunch at the Volcano Golf and Country Club. Yes, even in Hawai'i golfers are out playing in the rain. Next we stopped at Black Sand Beach, enjoyed the scenery, and took lots of pictures. It was a long drive to Kailua-Kona but we all dozed along the way. ... read more

hey bloggertjes hier nog een update :d wij hebben een week verbleven in het hookena beach park wat echt wel super leuk was. wakker worden met het uitzicht op de zee met dus wel douche met water opgewarmd door de zon we konden daar dus snorkelen en hebben veel vissen gezien vooral de yellow tang en de schattige stripebelly puffer en de spotted eagle ray (diegenie die finding nemo hebben gezien, eagle ray is de zoals de leraar van de visjes). we hebben ook een dolfijn zien springen in het water, vrij als een vis Na deze zalige week zijn we naar de vulkaan gereden en hebben we daar verbleven waar we naar een lava tube zijn gaan zien en waar de lava in de zee stroomt een heel mooi zich maar we moesten wel nog ... read more

Dear Family and Friends, Ah....Hawaii....other than the significant temperature difference, we feel a bit as if we have come full circle. We started in Iceland, driving through lava fields and we end in Hawaii, driving through lava fields! When we first started to plan this trip 4 years ago, Ken knew he wanted to include Iceland for its rugged beauty and Kate knew she wanted to end with Hawaii, as a pretty good place for a relaxing transition. After another long travel day from Melbourne, Australia, to Kailua Kona, Hawaii (about 18 hours, door-to-door), we were thrilled to be warm, see the sun, speak English, and still have western-style toilets! Using US currency has taken some adjustment - we still find ourselves examining the money closely before using it. We are in a timeshare for the ... read more

Reflecting on this wonderful trip so far, it certainly seems that the 4 days here on the Big Island of Hawaii are flying by! Though Henry has been to Hawaii on many occasions, he has not been to this island. It's my very first trip to any Hawaiian island, so we have wanted to see and do it all! We finally arrived at our hotel, the Fairmont Orchid on the west Kohala coast just north of Kona, at 8:40 on Saturday night. Our day of travel was long, starting with a flight from El Paso to Dallas, then to Maui, then to Hilo, ending with a 2 hour+ drive along the coast to the hotel. I have to admit that while Henry was driving an unknown highway, I was thoroughly enjoying the view from the passenger ... read more