Big Island 05-20-23

[billymach4]

A BIG LIKE on all of this pics and videos!

 

[ScoopKona]

No, we didn't. I asked if they wanted to stop but I think everyone wanted to get to the Volcano.

We still have tomorrow with no plans so we'll see.

My thoughts on our West Side beaches:

1) Want a really nice black sand beach? The kind of place where movies are shot and instagram photos are taken? Punaluʻu all the way.
2) Want a mellow beach? The kind of place where 1970s rock stars own beach bungalows and smoke funny cigarettes, barbecue and it's basically described as "chill?" Ho'okena beach for the win.
3) Want easy-in/easy-out snorkeling to see wildlife? Two-Step. Wave at the farm on your way down.

My favorite of all is Kealakekua Bay. But there's no beach. It's strictly snorkeling. And the reason my farm is so close to the bay is because I set up my search to exclude everything more than a mile away from the trailhead. But it's a steep two-mile walk. (Or do one of the "we sail you to the bay" trips.)

 

[slip]

My thoughts on our West Side beaches:

1) Want a really nice black sand beach? The kind of place where movies are shot and instagram photos are taken? Punaluʻu all the way.
2) Want a mellow beach? The kind of place where 1970s rock stars own beach bungalows and smoke funny cigarettes, barbecue and it's basically described as "chill?" Ho'okena beach for the win.
3) Want easy-in/easy-out snorkeling to see wildlife? Two-Step. Wave at the farm on your way down.

My favorite of all is Kealakekua Bay. But there's no beach. It's strictly snorkeling. And the reason my farm is so close to the bay is because I set up my search to exclude everything more than a mile away from the trailhead. But it's a steep two-mile walk. (Or do one of the "we sail you to the bay" trips.)

We did a Trilogy tour there years ago. Only half the group was up for the Manta Ray Snorkel. We leave here in a little bit for that.

We did two step years ago also but we may still go to The Place of Refuge. We'll see, we're a pretty laid back group.

 

[lynne]

You may have an opportunity to see lava before the end of the week

Heightened unrest at Kīlauea volcano on Hawai‘i Island | Big Island Now

Seismicity remains elevated, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, and unusual activity has been noted along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone.

bigislandnow.com

 

[slip]

You may have an opportunity to see lava before the end of the week

Heightened unrest at Kīlauea volcano on Hawai‘i Island | Big Island Now

Seismicity remains elevated, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, and unusual activity has been noted along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone.

bigislandnow.com

They were talking about this while we were there. Our pass is good through our stay so if something happens we can return.

 

[slip]

They just left for their Snorkel. Pretty much a full boat.

 

[geist1223]

Last time we were on the BI we actually went down into the Crater by the Visitor Center. They did a guided Hike about once a month. Then we drove around and did the 4 mile hike (each way) to see the Lava flow into the Ocean at night. We spent a week at a timeshare that was only a short walk to the Black Sand Beach. We also spent a week at Paniolo Greens.

 

[slip]

Last time we were on the BI we actually went down into the Crater by the Visitor Center. They did a guided Hike about once a month. Then we drove around and did the 4 mile hike (each way) to see the Lava flow into the Ocean at night. We spent a week at a timeshare that was only a short walk to the Black Sand Beach. We also spent a week at Paniolo Greens.

Timing is everything with the Volcano. Sounded like a great trip.

 

[slip]

We did make it to The Place of Refuge today. I always enjoy taking some time and checking it out. They are doing some work on some of the buildings around the whole place.

We had lunch at South Kona Grindz and we all enjoyed it.

 

[geist1223]

Isn't this near 2 Step?

 

[Luanne]

Isn't this near 2 Step?

Pu'uhonua O'Honaunau - Place of Refuge - Two Step
The snorkel/dive site, which is just to the north of the park, is called Two Step, named for the two steps leading into the water.

From what I understand the locals don't like to hear it referred to as "Two Step", which is what I'd always heard it called.

 

[DaveNV]

Isn't this near 2 Step?

Basically, just across the street.

Dave

 

[slip]

Today was our stay at the resort day. We grilled some Steaks and Chicken for dinner after being in the pool and hot tub. There is a Mango tree by the BBQ and it's loaded with mangos.

If it stops raining we will walk to the OutRigger and see if we can see some Manta Ray's.

We met a couple who live here at the resort. They bought about a year and a half ago. There condo is 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. They said there are about 8 whole owned units here that the owners live in full time. She said they pay $2,000 a month for maintenance fees. Wow.

 

[slip]

We stopped into the Southern part of Kona. Earlier in the week we went to the northern section.

We last stayed in Kona 12 years ago a d we stayed at The Royal Kona. We stopped back at the Royal Kona today. I remember having the best Mai Tai's there at Don the Beachcomber. I wanted to try and see if they changed or if I just remembered them being too good. I am happy to report that they were still as good as I remember and are still my favorite Mai Tai's.

We walled the grounds a bit and then walked a little into Kona town. Then we headed to On the Rocks for some dinner.
Nothing special but still very nice by the ocean seating.

The first picture is us 12 years ago at Don the Beachcomber and the second picture is us today. Then some others from Kona.

 

[slip]

We took a walk over to the OutRigger by our condo. They have an observation deck for looking at Manta Ray's also. We may go over tonight but here are some pictures from today.

 

[slip]

We are at the Kona airport now. Just got through TSA. Only 2 people in the Pre-Check line. The regular line was outside of the ropes but moving steadily.

We board in less than an hour. Hertz was great and the SUV we had was large comfortable and great on gas. We put on a lot of miles. That is by far, tge most I have driven in years. I always say that The Big Island is big.

It was a great trip with many highlights. Seeing old friends for the first time in 4 years was awesome and we picked up right where we left off. We always travel well together. They have been to all the major islands now and Kauai is their favorite. We go back to the mainland for our first visit in 5 years next summer. During that visit we will plan for them to return to Kauai and Molokai.

We have a short hour layover on Maui and then the quick Mokulele flight home. It always feels good to get home.

Kim has surgery this week on Maui to have some Kidney Stones removed. We leave in 05-31-23 and return on 06-01-23.
Then she has her eye surgery to reattach her Cataract lense in Oahu. She has to be there for 3 days so we are making it a mini return home trip. We get there on 06-16-23 and come home on 06-21-23.

She has a pre-op appointment on 06-19, then the surgery on 06-20 and a post-op appointment on 06-21. All those are short appointments so we will be able to enjoy the old neighborhood for a while.

After that we both agree that we will be happy to stay home on our little island until we visit the mainland next summer.

 

[youppi]

We are at the Kona airport now. Just got through TSA. Only 2 people in the Pre-Check line. The regular line was outside of the ropes but moving steadily.

We board in less than an hour. Hertz was great and the SUV we had was large comfortable and great on gas. We put on a lot of miles. That is by far, tge most I have driven in years. I always say that The Big Island is big.

It was a great trip with many highlights. Seeing old friends for the first time in 4 years was awesome and we picked up right where we left off. We always travel well together. They have been to all the major islands now and Kauai is their favorite. We go back to the mainland for our first visit in 5 years next summer. During that visit we will plan for them to return to Kauai and Molokai.

We have a short hour layover on Maui and then the quick Mokulele flight home. It always feels good to get home.

Kim has surgery this week on Maui to have some Kidney Stones removed. We leave in 05-31-23 and return on 06-01-23.
Then she has her eye surgery to reattach her Cataract lense in Oahu. She has to be there for 3 days so we are making it a mini return home trip. We get there on 06-16-23 and come home on 06-21-23.

She has a pre-op appointment on 06-19, then the surgery on 06-20 and a post-op appointment on 06-21. All those are short appointments so we will be able to enjoy the old neighborhood for a while.

After that we both agree that we will be happy to stay home on our little island until we visit the mainland next summer.

How many miles is a lot of miles ?

 

[slip]

How many miles is a lot of miles ?

Just over 400.

 

[youppi]

Just over 400.

400 in a week.
So, a lot for 2 weeks would be 800 miles but we drove 1,200 miles in 2 weeks when we went to Big Island and this may explain the surprise of the guy at the rental car return area when he checked the mileage on the car.
Thanks
Have a nice safe flight and not like this one in Korea yesterday https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/26/asia/south-korea-plane-door-opens-midair-intl-hnk/index.html

 

[slip]

400 in a week.
So, a lot for 2 weeks would be 800 miles but we drove 1,200 miles in 2 weeks when we went to Big Island and this may explain the surprise of the guy at the rental car return area when he checked the mileage on the car.
Thanks
Have a nice safe flight and not like this one in Korea yesterday https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/26/asia/south-korea-plane-door-opens-midair-intl-hnk/index.html

I say it's a lot for me. We live on Molokai and it's only 35 miles wide.and 10 miles deep. So I haven't driven near that much in a week in years. I didn't drive that much on Oahu either.

 

[slip]

We made it to Maui. Had to wait on the tarmac for a half hour to wait for a gate. Glad we left plenty of time between the Hawaiian flight and the Mokulele flight.

We grabbed a quick Whopper at the main airport. Haven't had one of those for a long time.

We should be boarding in about 15 minute and then the short drive home.

 

[slip]

I did want to post about our condo at Wyndham Mauna Loa Village. I usually do but kept putting off taking a video or pictures. Then of course, I just never did it.

All in all, it was very nice and we all enjoyed the accommodations and location. The pool and hot tub were small but were fine and we mostly had them to ourselves. The whole pool area could use a refresh but it was still nice.

They buildings were really nice inside and out. We had a two bedroom and the bedrooms and laundry were on the first floor and each bedroom was a master with bathroom. The kitchen, living area with a half bath was on the second floor.

This would have been an issue a year ago with Kim but she was fine with it this year. But keep it in mind of you or someone has mobility issues. The units are huge about 1,400 sq/ft.

I believe there were 3 separate controls for A/C and we used it everyday since is was a little overcast and humid during our stay. It looks like there might not be a lot of breezes coming through with all the buildings and hills around.

We were in pod 8 which was close to parking so getting our luggage and groceries to our unit wasn't an issue. They do have a service where they bring your items to the unit with a golf cart. We didn't need to use it but many other pods/units are much further from parking so I'm sure it is a service that is used and appreciated.

We were happy with the exchange and would stay here again without hesitation.