Dolphins and a Hawaii farewell

WOW! What a finish to our stay on the BIG island! We're up pretty early & pack all of our stuff and check out about 9:30 and head to our snorkeling spot. We do make a stop at the Dragon's Lair Coffee Farm & visit with Bob & Beryl, who own a 5 acre farm in Captain Cook, HI. Bob's a great talker and loves his coffee beans! We get a quick tour and watch him roast a few beans & buy a couple of pounds of the organically ground Kona Coffee. Then down to the City of Refuge & hoping the dolphins are back. Not yet, but after an hour or so, here they are! KK was not going to get in, but now she will. We all swim out there & a pod-or two-of about 25-30 spinners show up and put on a show! We think they like to play with us humans & there may be a little "messing around" (socializing as it were) going on too! What a great way to end our trip & KK says that will do it for her snorkeling career-it won't get any better than that experience. Back to our condo to clean up, pick up our bags & go to dinner. We chose Bubba Gump's, right on the bay & what a show! The surf is really BIG & lots of surfers, a BIG cruise ship anchored off shore, outrigger canoes racing and spinner dolphins all over the bay! You should have been there! And, the food was good, as usual, and the beer cold-"run Forrest , Run!" Our California friends, Steve & Marlene came down too & we all just enjoyed the scene. Off to the airport for our 9:10 flight to San Francisco & the usual checking-in torture. I slept most of the way and we finally made it home by 5:30 on Thursday-Thanks Wayne! We're a little tired but after unpacking, I go for a quick 10 mile ride & pull a couple of weeds.

BIG Island-Day 7

Damn', another day in Paradise...but no exploding volcanoes, only Coke cans..yep, KK left her coke in the freezer while we went snorkeling & POW, all over the freezer! Anyway, back to the City of Refuge and more great underwater sights! We were out together & stirred up a big moray eel..about 4'..a lot of trigger fish, and a few puffers. Also some large parrot fish, which the locals said were good eating. Our Ca. friends showed up, and offered to let us use their showers tomorrow, after we check out of the Bali-Kai & go to the beach in between our flight at 9:00. Thanks! back to the room & I change and go up the pali to visit mom's friend, Minnie & her family. KK stayed at the room to clean up the "coke". They have a nice place up at about 800' and fixed Mai-Tais, and ice cream. Tom & Kim are retired, but work a little here and there, but are fixing up their place themselves...what foliage! Thanks for the hospitality! back down the mountain & meet up with KK for a Happy Hour brew & nachos at the Canoe Club. Then down to the Sheraton Kona to watch a night-time event--manta rays swimming in the lights of the resort! What a sight, as they swim up to the rock walls of the Sheraton, Crystal Bar area. There are two boats anchored nearby with lights for the nighttime snorkelers..we think we're close enough. Now back to the room & start packing for the return trip. A pretty good day..even had a rain shower in the PM.

Day Six-Hawaii

Once again, we're up about 7:30, breakie here & head down to the City of Refuge for some snorkeling, and we see our California friends as we turn onto the main highway-Queen Kaahumanu Hwy. I drop KK off and go looking for the Dragon's Lair Coffee Estate, but no luck..until later. Back to the beach ( lava flow) and some serious snorkeling in the beautiful reefs. Many assorted reef fish, but no dolphins this time, must be too sunny. Tons of people here and at least a dozen scuba divers. Also, a nice visit with our new friends, Steve & Marlene, with beer discussions, wine discussions and of course, the fish we saw. Load up and head back to the room for lunch & some more sight-seeing. We've never been to the north side of the island, so we head that way and good ol' Maui pops up on the horizon. That was a shock! It's pretty clear so we see all the island, with the clouds trying to obscure the top of Haleakala. We drive into a quaint little village of Hawi & then Kapaau, and the road ends! But in Kapaau there is a statue of King Kamehameha I, just like the one in Hilo that was created in France back in the 1880's. On that sight was an Honor Roll listing veterans from Hawaii. @ Agans were listed! Could be long lost relatives? A couple of pics and then back to check the setting sun as it falls behind west Maui...what a sight! You can even see the top of Haleakala. We try to call Geoff, but no service. Then a drive on a very windy road up to Waimea..about 4,000' elevation & 63 degrees..to..you guessed it...a Dairy Queen! The Parker Ranch Mall was closed but the food court was open...YEA! Now we gotta drive back to Kona, but I choose the "easy" way this time..rt 19, back along the ocean, so we have now completed a total circle island tour! What's for dinner? A quick stop at Burger King..and we had them our way! Mahalo! We're back about 9:45 and not so tired tonight. A quick sidebar...our flowers that we purchased on Thursday look as beautiful as they did that day-orchids & all!

Day 5 - The green beach!

Hi everyone! a great day on the BIG Isle! We're up pretty early, and have breakie here & hit the road toward the green sand beach. It's located on the extreme south end of the island, and the southern most part of the USA..yes, farther south than the Forida Keys. We have to get some fuel & it's 3.05 here! A quick stop at a local swap meet, and I purchase a cool handmade necklace, (wait 'till ya see this one Terry!) with urging from KK. Back on the highway & finally we find the turn to South Point, and it's still 12 miles down to the ocean, and the road gets narrower & rougher. We park with everyone else, maybe 20 cars & head out & man, is it windy! It's supposed to be just over 2.2 miles each way and it's pretty tough hiking, but not over lava flows! Actually there is a lot of lava along the shore, but some dirt as well. We finally get there and it's a massive and steep climb down to the green sand..nope, not for KK. It was cool looking, but we didn't see any reason to go down there..very high surf & lots of people. A short rest and then we head back, but the surf all the way back is wonderful as it crashes into the old lava flows along the coast. Reminds us of the first trip to the Hilo side. Yea! Our car is still there! We get a shaved ice from a local vendor, eat our sandwiches & head down toward Volcanoes National Park. We are so dirty from our hike that we stop at a local state park to clean up & it's the black sand beach! Way cool! Then on to the park & once again, our senior pass gets us in! The only bad news is that the "Chain of Craters Road" is closed due to dangerous sulfur dioxide being released by the current eruptions & volcanic gas coming from the Halema'uma'u Crater-damn! So we check out the view of the Kilauea Ki caldera & the Thurston Lava Tube-yes, KK makes it all the way thru the tube! And who do we see here? The Arnott's Crowd in one of their vans full of people. We chat with Mike for a while and he's excited to see us. Around to the visitor center & the Jagger Museum & a great view of the plume of steam rising from the crater! So far , no earthquakes. We're out of here and down to Hilo for dinner at Kens, a great local place & all you can eat spaghetti for me & mahi-mahi for KK. Now for the long drive back to Kona. It's an easier drive back thru Waimea & around the mountain on 190. Back into Kona about 10:15 and a long day but a great one!

Day 4-BIG Isle

Well, just when you think it won't be any better..IT HAPPENS! We went back to the "Place of Refuge" to snorkel this morning, pretty early hoping to see some dolphins. KK went out first and stayed pretty close to shore but thousands of fish and the beautiful reef were in full bloom! Our new friends-Steve & Marlene- from Calif showed up too & they went in pretty quick, heading out to the dolphin area. When KK came in, I went out to the area to look for the dolphins and there they were! OH MY GOD! A small pod of 14-16 spinners all around us! You didn't know where to look, under water or above. I saw 3-4 of them coming up to the surface, twisting together & then one of them jumps into the air and does a flip, right in front of me! UNBELIEVABLE! They would come & go, but mainly stay around us for quite a while. I headed back and saw a couple of small turtles, eels & hundreds of yellow tangs. What a morning. Back to the room to clean up & get ready for lunch with one of my mom's old neighbor's from Morris, OK. It was a great setting, looking over the Pacific with waves crashing & a cold brew at the Kona Inn Canoe Club. We had a nice visit with Minnie & her daughter, Kim and a great lunch too. Then off for some shopping & a scenic drive to the Hilton Waikoloa Village, and guess what? A dip cone at the Dairy Queen! After some more shopping, we make a quick drive through the grounds, with waterfalls, and the golf course everywhere, before heading back toward Kailua-Kona. But wait, there's another sunset developing & we find a local beach park to watch the event-not great, but ok. Back to the room & an easy dinner..sandwiches & chips. Not a bad day in Paradise...see ya tomorrow.

Day 3-Hawaii

Friday in the BIG town! Well, on the BIG Island that is, and we're up about 7:30, with the road crew gettin' with it down below our room-actually working on the sewer. I talked with a guy who lives here & I asked if they would finish before we leave, and he remarked that they probly wouldn't finish in his lifetime. Now that's Hawaii time. Breakie in the room & off to the green beach..well, sorta. We take a few side trips :Capt Cook's monument on Kealakekua Bay, where he first landed here in 1778 & was killed here too, in 1779; then down the narrow road, thru old lava fields- to the "Place of Refuge" or Pu'uhonua O Honaunau, where we toured a historic village that was a recreation of a Alii' (rulers) Royal Village, built in the mid-1500's. Actually most of the rock structures were intact, and only had to be repaired. This is a National Park & our senior pass gets us in-what a deal! Then a short walk over to the snorkeling spot where we were back in '03 and WOW! What a spot! Thousands of fish, including spinner dolpins, a few turtles & unbelievable coral formations. It was like a garden under there! The coral was at least as good as the fish! Terry, I don't remember it being this good, but it was..schools of yellow tangs, surgeon fish & convict tangs. We also met a couple from Victorville, Ca & plan to meet them tomorrow morning to snorkel while it's smooth & sunny. back to the car & head up the road to the main highway, where it's 40 mph speed limit and pretty windy. We're hungry too, & there's no way we can get to the southern point to go to the green sand beach. We'll try that again when we're more prepared. We turn around and look for a place to eat & right on the highway-back a few miles- there's Keoki's Roadside grill & some fresh Ono & chips. (and a couple of bags of "Donkey Balls!"-Chocolate covered macadamia nuts-50 layers of chocolate!) Friday evening traffic is picking up as we get back into the Kona area & we go looking for a Foodland. Finally, there it is, a Sack & Save-a Foodland relative-and we get foodstuffs for a few meals. Back to the room thru some rain-PUT THE TOP UP! What's left? Some posting, showers & a late night snack-chicken! The Egg Agans (Geoff & Felesa) made it to Maui in fine shape & ready to make their own supper or breakfast in their room.

Day 2-The BIG Island

Well, it's day two, but the first full day here on Hawaii & it's a busy place here in Kailua-Kona. Our room is in a condo complex, the Castle Kona Bali-Kai, on Alii Drive, right on the ocean & a busy street, but only 30 mph speed limit. Lots of joggers & bikers, as this is the "Hot-bed" of the triathlon crowd. The surf is really rough here, so there's lots of surfers all along the coast. We cooked breakie in & then went down the road to the post office & some shopping at a local market. Back to the room with fruit, flowers & NO tee-shirts! Grab our swim stuff & head to a nicer beach for snorkeling-Kahaluu Beach Park. It was still a little rough, but lots of snorkelers, and tons of reef fish & turtles, and life guards yelling at everyone-me included. A couple of big schools of fish, but nothing new. However, I did see my first "herd" of mongooses! A couple of hours here & then back to "town" for some grub. We end up at Pancho and Lefty's, a Mexican Cantina, overlooking the street & ocean. The enchiladas were great & the margaritas better than that, plus it was Happy Hour! And with a picture of Roy & Dale on the wall, how could it be better? (Plus, we find out that the Pens won game 4 and it's now tied 2-2!) Then some shopping in the Kona Inn Shopping Center. I find some bicycle stuff & a real nice Hawaiian Jersey. Our two hours of parking is up, so back to the room & then a nice cool swim at the pool, even though we have to walk across the street to get there..ahhh refreshing! I also call mom's old friend, Minnie Lee to set up a luncheon with her & her daughter. Minnie was Mom's neighbor in Morris, Ok, all those many years ago. Now so posting & relaxing in the room. Off to try & find the green sand beach tomorrow.

Day 8-Kauai/Ohau

Howdy folks! The good news, we made it to the BIG Island, but now, the rest of the story. Up at 4:30 am and get everything packed and into our little Cruiser. The airline we ended up on was Mokulele Air and it was a lovely aircraft! About 1/3 full and a new plane, with plenty of legroom. Into Honolulu International by 7:00, get the rental car for a day on Ohau and head off on the H-1 to Waikiki & breakie at the Shorebird Beach Broiler..our Fav spot ! Geoff, Felesa, Ashley & her bo, Justin meet us there and with coupons, it's the best deal on the beach. We also give Geoff an early birthday present, a snorkel mask with a built-in camera! ( So Cami, we may have some fish pix after all!) After we all finsih, Terry & Fonda decide to stay in Waikiki & just "relax"(aka, the International Market)..the rest of us jump in the van and head off to a secret beach on the west side, Shell Beach. It's a long drive but well worth it & we spend about 2 hours picking up shells & watching the surf break over some big reefs. A very interesting spot with tide pools & mini-ecosystems. Back to the Agan's hotel, The Myramar and meet up with the Haws before we all go to the new spot on Waikiki, Jimmy Buffet's!! It's happy hour and a few drinks, pupu's and Island Music, before we load up and head for the airport, hoping to catch an earlier flight-Mike & KK- over to Hawaii and avoid rental car snafus. The Haws are dropped off at the United Terminal-Have a safe trip home!- & we go to the inter-island terminal and sure enough we get on the 7:30 flight to Kona! A funny steward in charge of the 35 minute flight, playing bartender & comedian, and we land at Kailua-Kona and get us a nice Sebring convertible! It's about 10 miles to our Condo, the Castle Kona Bali Kai, it's ok, but no ocean view this time. A 3rd floor spot with some construction down below in the street..moving lava rocks around, but that won;t stop us from sleeping in tomorrow. Unload our suitcases & a quick drive up to Wally to get some breakfast stuff. Tired & exhausted, we shower & hit the hay.

Kauai-day 7

Well, a much better day, until..later on that is. First a good breakie at Eggbert's at the Hula Girl Grill & some of that good coconut syrup..the others had omlets. A stop at Foodland to get dinner..4 lovely steaks, potatoes & salad to grill out by our pool. Back to the room & the Haws do laundry and frolic in the pool, and throw the frisbee. The Agans drive over to Poipu Beach for some sun & snorkeling. The Trade Winds have kicked up. so it's pretty windy at the beach, but we do see 3-4 large Honu's (Hawaiian Sea Turtles). A quick ice-cream sandwich & back to the room, to get the Haws for one last shopping trip on Kauai. We also stop by a lovely beach park by the old bay area, where they filmed some of Donovan's Reef & to the room to cook & prepare supper. Then we (actually, KK) decide to confirm our flight for tomorrow am, and guess what? It's been cancelled! By our Travel agent! A major snafu, so I get on the phone and get new tickets & confirmations & the Haws call and confirm their return flight..what a mess! So now we go over to Oahu at 6:30 am and need to check with our other airlines too. The Haws are headed to OKC tomorrow eve via United & we are going over to the BIG Island..hopefully. But, the PENS won! and now trail the wings 1-2..let's go PENS! See ya at the International market, but first to the Shore Bird for a buffet breakfast & meeting the Agan's for the day.

Day Six-Kauai

Well, the morning started off ok, with coffee, cookie & a nice ocean breeze, but then we went to our "obligation" of attending a Time Share presentation by "Shell Vacations Club"..the old 90 minute speil, which after it was all over, including a lousy continental breakie, was almost 2 1/2 hours. We did get a massive discount for our Napali cruise, we have have now decided it would have been better to pay the full price. Oh well, back to the room and get laundry done, load up and head for Hanalei. We are famished so we stop at a local roadstop place called "Ono Charburgers"..what a great burger! A short wait but well worth it. Back on the road & into Hanalei and the narrow, winding road to Ke e beach..the end of the road! Terry prepares to do a short-3 hour-hike up the Kalalau Trail to a hidden beach. The other three hit the beach & some serious snorkeling. Man, the fish are great! A few schools of reef fish, lots of Humu's, Needlefish, Surgeonfish and a few Butterflyfish. This is the best on Kauai so far, and we all go out 2 times to catch the underwater views. It's beautiful water & weather too, but the water is chilly-about 72 degrees-so it zaps your body pretty quick. Here comes Terry, out of the Tropical wilderness! The hike was FAB, and he is beat, but gets in the ocean to cool down & look at the fish. We all get changed & witness another beautiful Pacific sunset on the beach...WOW! Back to Hanalei to get a Tee shirt for Terry & have supper at the Hanalei Gormet,,great food! A fish sandwich for KK-fresh Opah--MXA has the special-seared Opah with cajun sauce & mashed potatoes...Terry & Fonda have the BIG salads..and a lusty brew! Back to the Kaha Lani by 9:45 & hit the showers! What a day...only bad news: our POKES lost to Clemson in the NCAA regional finals today.

Day 5-Kauai

Of course, we are awakened by roosters but also people leaving very early, but finally up by 7:00 & brewing the coffee. Not much breakie this morning as we are going to a brunch at Gaylord's, an old sugar plantation. So we get in a little walking before we leave to stuff ourselves. Off to the brunch, and is it nice! YES! A very lovely setting & lots of items to pick from, plus Fonda's favorite..crispy bacon! Eggs cooked to order, potatoes, quiche, chowder, fresh fruit, desserts..we are barely able to walk out of the place. Back to the room to pack for a trip to Hanalei & some beach time, snorkeling and maybe even a sunset. A stop at Anini Beach Park & some snorkeling-for me- and lots of fish in a very shallow seting, with good reefs. Everyone else just stays on the beach and sleeps or reads..WHAT? On to Hanalei and a neat little beach town, where the Movie "South Pacific" made it famous. Lots of surfers in this town, and hippies. A little shopping before driving the narrow road to many beautiful beaches, including the last one before the Napali coast, Ke'e Beach..what a spot! We unload and go for a swim before watching the sun set into the western Pacific. A pretty good crowd on the beach and a few cameras, trying to catch the day ending event. Really good facilities here & Terry is intrigued by the 11 mile hiking trail & is at least a two day trek-maybe next time. Back on the windy road, and one-lane bridges, to Hanalei and some good, but small burgers at Bubba's. Back to the condo and KK has a bad headache, so she hits the rack quickly & I post the blog while Terry goes for a pipe smoke & Fonda downloads pics.ALHOA.