Resort Day

After our usual coffee and yoghurt in the room, we went for a walk along the drive to the shopping center where we stopped for a coffee.  Walked back and then over to the Petroglyphs park, but opted to not go the extra mile to see them.  Instead, followed the shoreline trail back to the Orchid.  Afternoon spent lounging by the pool where I finished reading Les Miserables.  Has a siesta before getting ready to go to Norio's for dinner.  Really enjoyed the meal there, first class.  Pretty uneventful and lazy day.  Heading home tomorrow night, after another half round of golf on the South Course.  All in all, a very slow paced and relaxing vacation on the big island.

Hawaii Belt back to Volcano

The day began with a return to Splasher's in Kailua.  I've learned the hard way in past adventures that when you find a good breakfast place, don't keep looking.  Had another great b'fast overlooking the harbour.  Filled up with gas and headed south with no real plans other than to explore the island a bit. Found the loop drive down to the Ho'okena refuge and around through residential area/shoreline and could observe the Captain Cook Monument from afar.  Back up to the Belt and continued on our way.  Marvelled as we passed through the multiple micro-climates along underneath Mauna Loa.  Stopped for lunch at Punaluu Bakery, which was located in Waiohinu, not Punaluu as we had thought.  I had been noticing that tourist attractions are not super well marked, and you have sort of feel your way around.  Asked a cop where to find the Black Sand beach and he gave us the mile posts to watch for. Turned out in this instance, we didn't need that as there was clear signage at the entrance.  Saw several turtles at the beach, where it was really hot while we were looking around. Carried on to Volcano National Park and took the Chain of Craters road all the way to the end.  Lava flows are mind blowing to think of the processes leading to the mountain and island building.  Realized that time was running short for the daylight passage over Saddle road, so headed for Hilo.  Managed to find the right intersection this time, but not surprising I missed it the last time.  The drive over the Saddle was much better in the daylight and got better perspective on the two peaks, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.  Nevertheless, when dusk arrived we found ourselves descending through a thick soupy fog, with the top down.  Temperature dropped drastically and even with the heater on full blast, it was chilly.  Needless to say, Karen was unhappy.  Got to the Pueo's Osteria exactly on time for our reservation and enjoyed an excellent pasta dinner.  Back to the hotel wrapping up a long day of driving to explore the Big Island.

Whale Watching

A leisurely day commence at the pool for some sunshine and watching the surf roll in.  Had a nice lunch overlooking the beach and before long, it was time to get organized for our Whales and Cocktails excursion.  Typical island time on the pick up, and short drive over to Kawaihae harbour.  Boarded the catamaran commenced with the Mai Tai consumption.  There were several pairs of whales meandering around not far from shore.  Boat captain was able to locate and set up to watch the pattern of behaviour of one of the pairs, so we got to see that, but not very close as there is a 100 m buffer maintained by water craft, and the whales didn't come any closer to have a look at us.  Pu Pu Platter was pretty good, and overall the experience was worthwhile.  Back at the hotel, made some reservations for the next couple of nights with the concierge and with not much on, back to the room for more hor's douvre's and vino.  ETB with a plan to drive round the island tomorrow.

Francis H I'i Brown Golf

Another gorgeous day found us taking a long walk along the shoreline trail.  Over black sand beaches and rugged lava rock.  Lots of resort facilities and big vacation homes.  Several spots where whales clearly visible not far from shore.  Once back to the Orchid, had a quick rinse and then lunch at the pool bar.  Later on, we were off to play nine at the north course, which was deserted, K&I had the place to ourselves it seemed.  Chased off a herd of goats on one hole.  It was hot and humid, but we managed to make a few good shots amongst the bad ones.  Played the tenth hole before heading back to the clubhouse following the rest of the course.  Waited for the shuttle back to the hotel and got ready for dinner.  Were able to get at reservation at Tommy Bahama and hopped the shuttle back to the shopping center.  Walked along the road back, which Karen found unnerving.  That was the full extent of the day.  Seems like it doesn't take much to consume a day here in Hawaii.

Pool Day

Relaxed start to the day and we got set up at the pool overlooking the ocean.  My new friend Pat had predicted some good surfing just past the rocks and this proved correct.  Throughout the day watched surfers having some decent rides on fairly big waves.  I popped into the fitness center to try and reproduce one of Shane's mobility sessions.  At around noon, made up a snack tray and some G&T's for poolside.  Spent the afternoon reading and then had a bit of a siesta before our reservation at Brown's Beach House.  Wonderful dinner with a beautiful view of the lagoon and shoreline. Waves crashing on the rocks in the moonlight.  Fabulous meal followed by a short walk and then back to the room.  K was wiped out and retired early. I tried to read some more of Les Miserables, and quickly started to nod off so wrapped up a very leisurely day in paradise.

Volcano

Today's activity included a drive over to Hilo for our Circle of Fire helicopter trip.  We drove along Highway 19 to Waimea and then along to the coast.  Stopped at Tex Drive in for a Malasada.  Can't say I'm sure what the fuss is about.  Drove up and walked the short loop to see Akaka Falls, then on to the Botanical Gardens at Onomea Bay.  Found our way to Hilo International Airport (very tiny) and located the Blue Hawaii desk.  Grabbed a quick bite at the airport and then waited for our flight.  The lava flow was amazing and crazy that it stopped so close to community.  There were some homes engulfed  and burned by the lava.  Interesting that the rainforest is so wet that wild fires don't start, the only burning is where the lava has touched the tree.  While the lava has stopped advancing, it has far from cooled.  Saw molten lava igniting trees at the fringes.  Looked right in to the Po'o U'u crater and could see lava red hot and moving. Also learned to that the area is very active seismically, with solidified lava shifting and sliding into the ocean.  Apparently, SO2 being emitted along with steam and smoke.  Saw patches of elemental sulfur on the surface.  On the way back, flew over some waterfalls.  Flyin Brian was our pilot.  Shared the copter with young family from Los Angeles, young boy was funny with loads of questions.  Once back to the airport, decided to drive up to Volcano National Park (30 miles).  Had a look at the massive Kilauea Caldera from the Steam Vents overlook.  Then walked through a lava tube which was interesting.  As daylight was waning, dedided to head back to Hilo and take the Saddle road over the island to Waikoloa Bay.  What a drive.  Unfortunate that we did it after dark, might just do again in the daytime.  Road from Hilo just climbs and climbs for miles.  Through some cloud/fog which reduced visibility to almost nothing, Karen found that to be quite frightening. Down the other side and after a couple of wrong turns and back track, found our way to the Orchid.  Long day of driving and looking forward to a relaxing day at the beach.

Fairmont Orchid

We decided to make a run into Kailua for some groceries and noticed a healthy scratch on the rear bumper that I hadn't seen in the dark last night.  Stopped by the Budget rental depot and Suzie prep'd a new damage card for us.  She said that the is a good breakfast place down by the Marina called Splasher's so there we went for a fantastic b'fast overlooking the water.  Then is was off to Costco to see what we didn't know what we couldn't get along without.  Picked up some breakfast food, snacks and sundre items and headed back to the Orchid.  Left the groceries with the bell man and parked the red convertible Mustang.  Waited for the food delivery which was a long time coming so went to the bell desk and discovered they had delivered our stuff to the wrong room.  Once that got sorted, we set up our cooler and fridge and headed out to explore the resort a bit.  Wound up only making it to the pool bar where we had some Nacho's, amongst other things.  Wandered over to the beach bar where we met Pat, an old surfer ("Hell Boy" tattooed on his chest) who looked like the guy in the Expedia commercial (How about you friend?).  After the bar closed, we headed back to the room for some G&T and our snack supply.  Watched the lamp lighter do his thing and that was about it for day 1 in this beautiful resort.  Helicopter tour scheduled for day 2, and a bit of exploration of the Big Island.

Kona, Hawaii

Last year, Karen bought a raffle ticket from Jaden Thomson to support his hockey team.  While we were in Las Vegas, Shannon called to tell Karen she won!  So, now a year later, I'm here at the Fairmont Orchid on the Big Island.  Travel day yesterday was wearisome, had a 30 minute delay while three passengers were held up in customs.  Young gal sitting next to us said her Dad's wife (not her Mother) didn't have the right kind of Visa on her German passport to enter USA.  Youngster was very composed as she waited hoping they would beat the "bag pull".  Apparently, the airline has to search for and remove baggage of people who don't show up for the push back.  Anyway, they just barely got on board before their bags got off so ended well for the young gal.  About 30 minutes late we were off from Vancouver to Kona.  Otherwise, flights were uneventful. Service on Westjet was friendly, but quality of food service was very poor.  Perhaps we'll try to find something more appealing to carry on for the return flight.

Anyway, we're here to celebrate Karen's 55th b'day (belatedly) and our upcoming 20th Anniversary.  As the sun has risen, we are getting our first glimpse of the resort, looking pretty skookum.