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Would you trust these guys for travel advice? Thankfully, we did and our "virginal" visit to the big island was full of a variety of experiences and sights.
"I recommend driving over Saddle Road; it's like driving across a lunar landscape. Fabulous. Just like my hair. I also recommend snorkeling near Captain Cook's monument; if you have the opportunity, rent a kayak and paddle yourselves into the bay.
Also, rent snorkel equipment from Snorkel Bob's for the week. That way, you can stop, drop and snorkel. So Clay, I'm mean Rene', what do you think the boys should do?"
"Now, if you stop saying that I look like Clay Aiken, I'll give you my advice. Personally, I like think spending time in at the volcano is a must! Hike around and find out if the lava is flowing. Find a lava tube and hike in it and then get nake at the steam vents in the Puna District. The locals are a little bohemian... Have fun!"
We did our best to follow their advice and had a fabulous time on both the big Island and Kauai.
Would you trust these guys for travel advice? Thankfully, we did and our "virginal" visit to the big island was full of a variety of experiences and sights."I recommend driving over Saddle Road; it's like driving across a lunar landscape. Fabulous. Just like my hair. I also recommend snorkeling near Captain Cook's monument; if you have the opportunity, rent a kayak and paddle yourselves into the bay.
Also, rent snorkel equipment from Snorkel Bob's for the week. That way, you can stop, drop and snorkel. So Clay, I'm mean Rene', what do you think the boys should do?"
"Now, if you stop saying that I look like Clay Aiken, I'll give you my advice. Personally, I like think spending time in at the volcano is a must! Hike around and find out if the lava is flowing. Find a lava tube and hike in it and then get nake at the steam vents in the Puna District. The locals are a little bohemian... Have fun!"We did our best to follow their advice and had a fabulous time on both the big Island and Kauai.
The Brady Bunch Hotel - The Royal Kona
The Royal Kona has seen better days, and while not a total wreck, it is definately a product of 70's architecture. Situated right on the coast, the waves crashed against the barriars, the open bar and pool looked out on the ocean and Don's Beachcomber Tiki bar was always waiting to serve big drinks and tropical food.
Think of the Brady Bunch special where they headed to paradise and got in trouble with a cursed tiki! We did not encounter a black tarantula, but brought home one of the small little gods to bless us with good fortune! Now, why he didn't bless us with the recent 270 million Mega-lottery winnings I'm not sure, but perhaps he's waiting a bit to surprise us.
Anyway, we arrived at the Royal Kona in our metallic orange Saturn Vue just after about 20 members of the airforce; military boys on a little R&R. Standing in line, it was interesting to note the contrast between the youngsters and the career folks; and then there was the token female who was basically a den mother to the guys. Go USA! Volcanoes National Park
The boys had instructed us to allow a lot of time to get to the Hawaii Volacanoes National Park. Frank was the designated driver, I was the designated planner! To say that the park is "other-worldly" is not quite accurate. It was awe inspiring and we were not allowed to get out of car during certain parts of the Crater Rim Drive due to "unusually high amounts of dangerous sulfur dioxide gas." Fun! We did get a chance to hike through the Thurstan Lava Tube and hike out to the Pu'u Huluhulu Cinder Cone. Amazing!
Sea Quest Rafting Adventure
We followed instructions and stopped by Snorkel Bob's for a week's supply of equipment and then signed up for a Zodiac snorkeling trip out to Kealakekua Bay and Keauhou Bay. The raft was cool since we could up close to shoreline, enter sea caves and, of course, drop anchor and snorkel! Our first stop the water was deeper, so the fish seemed farther away, but we were within arm's length of a sea turtle who just glanced at us as he floated away. During our trip to the next stop, we saw dolphins, a mother whale and her calf who breached several times. The snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay was fantastic.
Driving Around the Island
Frank claims that he drove over 900 miles during our six days in the islands. This may be true, especially on the big island where the distances are quite significant. However, we ventured to the end of the road in Kapaau to the Polulu Valley Lookout, say the King Mamehameha statue, took on the twists and turns of Saddle Road, found the steam vents, ate Kileau Loca in Hilo and visited the Black Sands beach! We also used our snorkel gear from Bob, boogie boarded and wandered up to a couple of beautiful waterfalls. Not a bad way to spend time in a car!
Island Breeze presents Lu'ua!
Frank wanted to do a Lu'au and Tom had recommended the Lu'au presented at the King Kamehameha hotel on the royal grounds. Frank finally got lei'd and we both learned how to weave palm fronds in to Angel fish. We opted out of learning how to hula ... too many things would be moving and after the huge buffet, it was better to be safe than sorry.
The amusing part of the experience, which if you haven't done a lu'ua, you should, is the entertainment. During our drive we noticed that you couldn't drive 50 yards without passing a small church structure. At the Lu'ua, our tongan warriar's sarong had Bible texts printed on it, then there was an invocation to the great spirit, and many of the dances ended with a crosses of sticks in a familiar form ... hmmm. Then we learned about the 1820 missionary invasion and understood. Open bar with bottomless Mai Tais ... the perfect way to reach out and share the love of big "J" Praise the lord, now pass that poi!
Mahalo Big Island ... now it's time to head to Kauai!
