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Published: October 3rd 2017
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Seeing people you know over 10000 km away
My son's past teacher at the same hotel as us. Cray cray!! Day 3
A real lazy morning, check out at 12, so we took our time doing a whole lot of nothing. The White Sands Hotel, where we stayed was budget accommodation but to be honest it was great. The rooms were clean, small kitchen; stove, microwave, blender, toaster, coffee maker... it had a decent bathroom and a comfy bed. The air cond worked well although it was very loud.
Each room had its own lanai and ours led out to the pool. The pool wasnt anything like the Hilton but there was always a lounge chair available.. unlike the Hilton where you had to get in early to get a good spot.
The staff were friendly and once we checked out we had them hold our luggage while we grabbed a quick bite to eat; Oscar Meyer Hotdog $1.69 from the local ABC.
ABC shops are EVERYWHERE. If anyone remembers that scene from Shrek when the Giant Gingy smashes through a Starbucks and all the patrons run across the road to another Starbucks cause they used to be everywhere... well this is the same. They seem to be on every block.. twice and sometimes thrice. You can't
get away from them. Souvenirs, food, alcohol..
Back to the pool for the last couple of hours to chill before the next leg of our journey. I'm swimming when I see someone I know. My son's past teacher was staying at the same hotel. There really are only 2 to 3 degrees of separation for Adelaidians. Cray Cray right?
Shuttle to the airport we were told we had to be there 2 hours before for a local flight, this seemed a bit ridiculous but that is how it is. The lovely lady at the check in counter suggested we sign up to Hawaiian Airlines Frequent Flyer program and this would give us a $10 discount on our checked luggage each flight. We had 3 flights with them and figured $30 savings would be a couple of cocktails.. cheers Debbie, we will be having those in her name ?
I felt a bit peckish and there was a Burger King... thinking cheap fast food, $24 later for one value meal plus an additional burger.. hmmm won't be doing that again!
45 minute flight and we arrive at Kona Airport in the Big Island. Its an outdoor airport
and sooooo cute .. and tiny. Pick up our rental car.. a Veloster.. we are told that we can burn the car if we want as it is completely covered under insurance... My first thoughts were a cross between that Jackass episode when they completely inialate the car after hiring it at car rental place.. although I'm not sure if they did have insurance or not.. and Thelma and Louise going over the cliff.. of course we'd jump out first.. and I'm not sure who would be Thelma out of me and Kym ?
Anyways a 12 minute drive up into the mountain and we are at our Air Bnb. Muffins, fresh pineapple and a cold can out juice awaited us. A comfy queen bed, large private lanai and we settle in to our home for the next 3 nights. Its already dark so we have no idea what Kona looks like at this stage.
After a quick look at what to do on the Big Island I see Kona Brewery has live music and beer so we head into "town".
The live music had finished before we arrived but we did indulge in a couple of the local brews each (I tried a lemongrass & ginger beer and Kym had a banana beer which really did taste like banana) and a hand tossed pizza to share.
We seem to be eating and drinking our way through Hawai'i.
Stop off at the local Walmart to grab a few things (yes we love Walmart) and when Kym goes down the alcohol aisle his face lights up like a kid in a candy store. I need the bathroom and when I come back he is still undecided on what to get. Finally decision is made on a Captain Morgan Coconut Rum and a case of Mikes Hard Lemonade and we are set for our stay (oh and pineapple, orange and banana juice to go with the rum of course!!)
A couple of rum and juice back at our "home" and that's Day 3 done.
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Margaret Szuna
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good to see you are having a great time - how weird with your Son's teacher -small world xx