We are spending the first week of this adventure on the big island near Kona. We've been here several times and although in many places it's not as lush or tropical as the other islands it's our favorite. We like it because there are great uncrowded beaches and it's far less touristy than Maui or O'ahu. After a week here we will be going to Kauai for nine days. We then leave on the cruise out of Honolulu. We've spent time in Honolulu before. It's mostly a big city with lots of traffic, although Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head and the North Shore are definite must sees if you're in the neighborhood.
We're about 30 miles outside of Kona which hosts the annual torture fest know as the Ironman Triatholon World Championships which is going to be held this year on October 8. Had I only known maybe I could have been a late entry. After all it's just a 2.4 mile ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile bike ride through lava fields usually with strong headwinds and wrapping up with a 26.2 mile run (again through the lava fields). Oh yeah, and it's still pretty warm over here in October with highs in the mid-eighties. What could have possibly gone wrong?
We're staying at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel which is the oldest hotel on the big island and was built by the Rockefeller family. It has a great beach and is very close to Hapuna Beach State Park which also has a great beach. This morning we did a nice hike along the Ala Kahakai Shoreline Trail from our hotel to the far end of the state park.
Speaking of "morning", it's still starting early for us as we adjust to the six hour time difference. Both mornings we've been up by four which is actually pretty nice because we get a wonderful view of the night sky. This morning we enjoyed sitting out for a while before going down on the beach and kicking back in a couple of lounge chairs. We were treated not only to tons of stars but several shooting stars as well as watching a number of satellites buzzing across the sky. I'm quite fascinated by space although my knowledge is very limited. I'm going to see if there is an "Astronomy for Idiots" book on the market. I think that would be a good place to start. Two recurring things that I have when I start to ponder the whole universe/galaxy thing is (1) I'm reminded of the fact that like it or not we're pretty darn insignificant and (2) thinking about the vastness and complexity of it all gives me a headache.
Coming in the next blog......useless information about the big island to dazzle your friends with....aloha!
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| Welcoming Committee |
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| From our balcony! |
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| It might be hard to tell but this is a huge manta ray. Probably has around an eight foot wing span. They come up behind the hotel at night. Usually there would be 4-5 of them but the last night there were about 10 of them. There was a "Manta Ray Expert" who was out there a couple of night, she shared some interesting information about them and had even named the regulars. Our favorite was Lousia Mae who would frequently turn over and swim on her back. Pretty cool! |
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| Some of the folks at Huguley are used to seeing picture like this one. It's fun to taunt them! |
