Big Island Half Ironman Day

Aloha again! Above is a lovely picture of Sea Village taken by Mary on one of her morning walks. Thought I'd share it, as I did not take any pictures yesterday.




We dropped Laney and Elliott off at the airport yesterday at 1:40 pm for their flight to Honolulu which would leave at 3:40, then they had about a 6 hour wait for their flight from Honolulu direct to Vancouver. Just moments ago, as I was starting this blog entry, the phone rang (about 7:30 am Hawaiian time) and it was Laney saying 'Aloha'! Funny, because every morning they were here I would get that greeting from her, lol. It was a joy to hear her voice, and to learn that they had arrived in Vancouver and were on their way home but stopping for breakfast -- or whatever meal they might like to call it, lol. I guess there was not much for them to eat at the Honolulu airport during their long wait, nor was there food served on the plane. I am sure they were starved!




I had some great news for Laney. I haven't mentioned this, but yesterday morning she realized she had left her clip-on sunglasses (which go over her regular glasses and are very expensive) at the luau. I phoned and tried to find the 'lost and found' department, but as the hotel had been tented it was closed, so the usual pattern for lost items could not have been followed. A woman on my first call said they would try to track them down, and a jerk named Robert on my second call more or less just kept saying it was not their fault and we'd have to deal with the hotel, which was closed. No, he didn't sound like a Hawaiian to me. They are very accommodating! But anyway, Robert did suggest that we could come down to the hotel grounds after 4 pm when there would be hotel staff around preparing for the Friday evening luau. So, that's what we did. Our group went for dinner at Quinn's Almost By The Sea, which is just across the street from the King Kamehameha hotel, Mary went across the street to ask, and the very, very nice hotel staff and manager HAD the clip-ons and were very happy to return them. So, we are all very happy about that! This whole adventure is very ironic due to something I haven't mentioned yet -- Elliott's lost wallet, which happened BEFORE the luau, but fortunately was found totally intact within a very short period of time. So, Elliott and Laney were both 'lost souls' the day before leaving here, lol. We are just so delighted that BOTH things were found!




Not too much else went on for the rest of the day. Mary walked and shopped at the Farmer's Market, Summer also shopped at the Farmer's Market and a natural store downtown, and arranged an exciting snorkel trip on the Fairwind for Victoria and Brad for today -- they should be checking in about now. Brad and family visited us here in our condo in the late afternoon, and then Brad and Summer treated us to the dinner at Quin's. Always great food, and the place is VERY kid friendly, even provides Etch-A-Sketches for each kid!




Today while Brad and Victoria are on their snorkel adventure, Summer will be checking out of their current unit and moving to another. Due to a change of their plans and availability, having to make a move like this was the only option, unfortunately. We haven't got much planned, but I am anxious to get into the pool again as I haven't been in it for a few days. I love BOTH ocean and pool! Mary undoubtedly will do her usual 10 miles (or more) of walking. There is a big Half-Ironman going on today, which would have been fun to observe, but it is happening on the Kohala Coast at Kapuna Beach and Mauna Lani, not here, so we won't be driving out there. Of course, I can't help but think of Hallie and Greg as I have been seeing these athletes practicing ahead of time for this event!

Thursday Evening Luau

This luau is held on the King Kamehameha Hotel grounds several evenings a week. Right now, the hotel happens to be closed as it is totally tented and being treated for termites, but the luaua nonetheless continues!

We were greeted with shell leis and shown to our table, one with a great view and very kid-friendly. We were told where we could get our mai tais, non-alcoholic punch, soda or beer, and then went to the 'garden area' where there were hula lessons, weaving coconut frond lessons, learning how to open a coconut and more. Then the big event which I love, the arrival of the ancient Hawaiian royalty. Historically, this place is actually where the royalty DID arrive, and that is another reason why I like this particular luau.

We were served a delicious buffet with over 20 local dishes. I've been to this laua several times, but this time I think I learned something I hadn't known when I saw some of the food supplies being delivered in a container labeled 'Big Island Grill' on the side. I know this place, too, a local restaurant, but I had no idea they were involved with this luau!

Last, but not least, the entertainment. The performers were excellent, and held the attention of both adults and children well. It was a lovely night and I'm glad to share it with you... the only sad part... this is the last night we'll be having dinner with Elliott and Laney. Yup, they are on their way home on Friday. We've had a GREAT time with them. They are both terrific people, and we've loved their company. We're going to miss them. Aloha to Laney and Elliott, and Mahalo!

Mauna Kea Beach - Thursday

Today we headed north on the Kohala Coast for a day on the beach. I hoped to go to my favorite beach of all on this island, at the Mauna Kea resort, which is the oldest resort on the island. It is next to the Hapuna Beach State Park, which is also a lovely beach, but the waves don't get as wild as they can at Hapuna, The Mauna Kea resort is actually open, due to the strong earthquake in October of 2006 that caused severe structural damage to this hotel. They hope to have it up and running again by December of this year.

There are a certain number of parking spots which must be designated to the public -- not sure how many, but not a huge amount. Lucky for us, we were able to get a spot and enjoy this wonderful beach. Otherwise we would have gone to the Hapuna beach.

As you can see by the pictures, we all had a GREAT time! If you're looking for Summer, check picture #2 carefully. Oh, and it also seems we now also have sunburns as well. Arrrgh!

No pictures of Laney and Elliott from yesterday, unfortunately... but they had a great day doing what I call the Circle Tour, that is, driving south from here to the volcano, then on to Hilo, then on from there, then passing through the north shores and ending up back here at Kona in the west, having driven entirely around the island. It's definitely a long day, but worth it, and when they get home, they'll have pictures to share!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch... er, the condo complex of Sea Village... The remaining seven of us piled into the Ford Expedition and headed out for our adventure. Heading north, we stopped first at a gas station to buy a few bottles of water because we were running low and didn't plan to stop at Costco until on the way back. Then stopped at Hertz at the airport to have them fix the right rear turn and brake light that was not working, absolutely INSISTING that we would not get out of the car while they did this -- took about three minutes -- then on to Waikoloa. Specifically, the Hilton Waikoloa, considered to be the Disneyland of the Big Island. Summer recalled this place as being one of the top highlights of her only trip to Hawaii before, on her honeymoon, and Brad recalls being to this place every time he's been here since it was here, about eight times. Mary and I had been to this hotel several times, but not in probably two or three years. It was definitely an exciting place for the kids to see, and in fact, all of us enjoyed it.

We said 'Aloha' to the lovely tropical birds in the lobby, then got on a boat to tour around the place, seeing lovely shore birds (I wish I knew what they are called, you'll see them in one of the pictures) and wonderful views of the sea pools, the ocean, and the hotel grounds, including beautiful statues everywhere.

Once off the boat, we went down a very long flight of magnificent stairs, then along the pathway and through the waterfall and natural sea ponds filled with sea turtles, a few pretty fish, and a few snorkelers who were staying at this hotel. Just a short distance past the waterfall we saw... THE DOLPHINS!!! Beautiful, playful, inspiring creatures, always in a good mood! For a mere $1300, six of us could have swum with the dolphins for 45 minutes, and the seventh person could have taken pictures! Foolishly, I am sure, we opted not. Instead we sat at the beachside grill, right next to the dolphins, and enjoyed a very nice lunch.

Then, it was back along the pathway, past the waterfall again, up those magnificent stairs and into the valet parked car. We got this valet service for free because I happen to have a handicap placard, so Brad's tip of $5 to the valet was quite a bargain compared to the usual $12 fee for public parking or $19 for regular valet service.

Next up, a little shopping at the new Queen's Shops, which might be just a little too new for some tourists right now, and then to the older much more established King's Shops where a bit more shopping was done. Then, on to Costco! In addition to water, rib eye steaks were purchased to be BBQ'd by Brad in the picnic area later!

After we got back to the condo, I gave Elliott a quick call on his cell phone to find out exactly where they were and judge whether or not they'd arrive back here in time for dinner. I perceived they would be, but also realized they might be later than I thought. I instructed them to head to the BBQ pit as soon as they got back! And they got here, a little after sunset and only a few moments after Brad had taken the steaks off the grill. We were delighted to see them! It had been a whole day without them, Victoria pointed out.

Oh, I guess I have not mentioned yet... on Tuesday night, our third Golf encounter, you just know who won again, don't you? Well, we were all too tired t have round four, so after eating our delicious Skinny Cow ice-cream sandwiches, we bid each other Mahalo and Aloha! A great day for all of us!

Place of Refuge and More Snorkeling!

Today we drove south past Captain Cook to Honaunau Bay, where the historical Place of Refuge is located. I've always loved this place, felt it has the spirit of this island. In the ancient days, if you broke a rule, you could be killed. But, if you managed to get to this Place of Refuge, all would be forgiven. It was not easy to get here, by any means, on land or ocean. We wandered around the property for a while and managed to see a few turtles... then later went 'next door,' in view of the Place of Refuge, which is an excellent place to either dive or snorkel. Elliott, Laney, Brad and Victoria were very excited to have this chance to snorkel again. Luckily there was a small area of sandy beach, perfect for small kids to play! Today, after Victoria got out of the water, Summer had a chance to snorkel as well, and she appeared to love it! Well, gotta go... were going to dinner, and then..... more golf! Later!

Snorkeling & Italian Dinner

What a great day! Victoria came over to visit with me early in the morning while Mary was out walking, then later Madeline and Brad.

About 10:30 we all headed for Kahului Beach Park, otherwise known as 'the snorkel beach.' Laney had snorkeled before, but never in an ocean, and Elliott had never snorkeled. He considered today's adventure one of the highlights of all time. Just LOVED it!

Victoria had never snorkeled in an ocean before either, and she too was so very excited about the beautiful, colorful fish. Madeline also had an opportunity to snorkel with her mommy using a boogie board, and she loved it as well. Travis had a grand time wandering in and out of the water, shoveling sand, etc. He is clearly a beach boy!

Eventually we returned to Sea Village. Laney and Elliott joined Mary and me for leftovers from the BBQ the night before, and then we played another round of Golf! Brad and the girls arrived while we were playing and we had a nice visit with them while Summer and Travis rested. Do I need to tell you who won??? Again??? !!!!! Looks like we're going to have to do this again to try and get a little money back, lol.

In the evening we went to Boston's Basil restaurant, and Italian place, and it was very good!

As you can tell by the pictures, it was one great day... and we all look forward to tomorrow!

Aloha and Mahalo

A Sunday BBQ

More greetings from paradise! Early Sunday morning, before the sun was up, Mary headed out for her daily walk. Before I would have thought, Brad, Summer and Victoria, Madeline and Travis arrived at my door, and we sat around and chatted. Brad used my computer, Summer did some needlework on the lanai, Victoria and Madeline occasionally watched the DVD that Daddy had put on my big TV, and Travis checked everything out, lol. We went through the snorkeling gear we have around here to see what would fit the kids (not too much) and then the family left for Snorkel Bob's to rent what they needed.

Meanwhile, I wondered what was up with Laney and Elliott so I called Elliott's cell phone and discovered they had walked to town and were shopping. They also stopped at the Farmer's Market, as did Mary, and then returned home. They were close, but never ran into each other!

Funny, but Brad and family were in the same area as well, and they didn't come across anyone either. They enjoyed lunch at Lava Java then returned home, and on the way called me to see if I wanted to join Brad and the girls having snorkel lessons in the pool, or Summer and Travis who were going to Wal-Mart. Actually, I wanted to go to Safeway, right in the same vicinity, so without even stopping the motor, Mary and I jumped into the car with Summer and Travis while Brad and the girls exited to get themselves ready for the pool. Mary and I got our shopping done quickly, and the same with Summer who shopped for toys for Travis as he napped.

After we returned home, everyone except Laney and Elliott went to the pool. It was 85 degrees, still too cold for Mary, lol, but I stayed in for probably two hours, keeping an eye on the granddaughter that wasn't being taught by Brad and playing ball with Travis... that ball was one of his new toys! And every kid in the pool area wanted it, lol. Summer was down there too of course. I can't remember if she was doing her needlework or not but she was keeping an eye on everyone as well, and Mary too.

As everyone was leaving, Laney arrived, apologizing because she'd fallen asleep, lol. So, I joined her in the pool, and then Brad, who was just slightly behind his family in leaving (because he visited the restroom) was asked a question by Laney... so he pulled up a chair, and an hour later... Well, you get the picture. I have a son and a sister who both love to tell stories, lol. Hmmm. I guess that might be said of me, as well!

At 6 pm, we all met at the BBQ / picnic area to have dinner. Brad grilled the chicken as the rest of us snacked on grapes and Doritos. Oh, and drank a beer or soda as well. It was great! The kids could run around and we all chatted and watched the partial sunset. The temperature was perfect! Elliott fixed a wonderful salad with shrimp and other yummy stuff, Mary and I provided baked potatoes and garlic bread, and later, Laney brought down her Hagen Daas ice-cream which we enjoyed with cookies. Yum! Our group was basically the first to arrive at the BBQ area, and the last to leave, lol. Brad and family polished off the evening with another swim session, and Elliott, Laney and I... played Golf once again, this time with money... and Laney, smart, lucky woman that she is, took almost ALL the money from the rest of us! Grrrr! LOL. We'll be meeting again soon for another session to remedy that, you can count on it, lol.

But seriously, it was a great day overall! Aloha!