Our vacation journal.
We're HOME! Welcome to Michigan, snow and slippery roads, and highs near 20. Loverly. Here's the trip play-by-play ...
[d] is for draft—improvements to follow
[d] is for draft—improvements to follow
Monday, February 3
It is 4:24pm at home, but it's just 11:24am here over the Pacific, and we're running behind schedule already. The jet had to return to the gate for last minute maintenance and we were an hour late leaving Detroit. So we've been in the air for about six hours plus now. The flight isn't bad, a little turbulence here and there, and we can't really see outside, but hey, we're a long way from 32 degrees and snow and ice.
Airline food is about as good as expected. Like a microwave entree, very small and not really that warm by the time you eat it. Westley has gas. Glad I brought snacks in my carry-on.
Airline food is about as good as expected. Like a microwave entree, very small and not really that warm by the time you eat it. Westley has gas. Glad I brought snacks in my carry-on.
our view of Diamond Head Crater
We should have just about three more hours in the air, and then we'll have to see how much time we've got this afternoon. The plan for today was to check in at the Continental Surf and then take a shuttle or taxi to the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial. By the time we get our luggage and such, not sure if it will work out. But we'll manage.
a tree in Waikiki
Tuesday, February 4
We were too late to do much of anything here in Honolulu. We found a shuttle to our hotel, and walked the three blocks to Waikiki Beach. It doesn't stink here.
We got a few photos of Diamond Head Crater from the beach. There are touristy gift shops on EVERY corner called ABC Stores. I mean EVERY corner and sometimes more often than that. We got some polarized sunglasses for the fishing trip. I called the condo owner and let him know when we'd meet him tomorrow.
We had dinner at a place that sounds really cheesy but had GREAT food, the Super Chef Gourmet Restaurant. We were in bed by 9:00pm for the 5:00am shuttle back to the airport this morning. Of course, 9:00pm here feels like 2:00am at home, so we were pretty whooped. The Continental Surf is definitely not a five star hotel. We might stay somewhere else next time. ;)
This morning we were able to change our return flight from Kona to an earlier time so we can see Pearl Harbor on Sunday! :) We didn't want to miss out on that. We'll be leaving Kona at 10:35am instead of 3:25pm to get it all in. Glad we didn't book anything for Sunday. Knew it would all work out.
We got a few photos of Diamond Head Crater from the beach. There are touristy gift shops on EVERY corner called ABC Stores. I mean EVERY corner and sometimes more often than that. We got some polarized sunglasses for the fishing trip. I called the condo owner and let him know when we'd meet him tomorrow.
We had dinner at a place that sounds really cheesy but had GREAT food, the Super Chef Gourmet Restaurant. We were in bed by 9:00pm for the 5:00am shuttle back to the airport this morning. Of course, 9:00pm here feels like 2:00am at home, so we were pretty whooped. The Continental Surf is definitely not a five star hotel. We might stay somewhere else next time. ;)
This morning we were able to change our return flight from Kona to an earlier time so we can see Pearl Harbor on Sunday! :) We didn't want to miss out on that. We'll be leaving Kona at 10:35am instead of 3:25pm to get it all in. Glad we didn't book anything for Sunday. Knew it would all work out.
gecko greeter at condo
We board our flight to Kona shortly. We will pick up our rental car about 8:00am, find the harbor that our charter leaves from, and get some goodies and snacks for the trip. We check in at the condo between 10-11 and then head to the harbor to check in at 11:30 for our four hour fishing trip. Westley is just a little tiny bit excited about marlin fishing. He's afraid he'll be ruined for other fish. :)
We will probably turn in early again because we have a 2-1/2 hour drive to Hilo on Wednesday to check in at Paradise Helicopters for our volcano & waterfall tour. Then we'll take our time driving back to Kona. Oh, how we both hate this place. The weather is just all wrong, we have to wear shorts and tanks or tees. This bright orb in the sky is sending down light and heat, and it's alien to us. We just can't wait to get back to Michigan and freeze our tails off.
We will probably turn in early again because we have a 2-1/2 hour drive to Hilo on Wednesday to check in at Paradise Helicopters for our volcano & waterfall tour. Then we'll take our time driving back to Kona. Oh, how we both hate this place. The weather is just all wrong, we have to wear shorts and tanks or tees. This bright orb in the sky is sending down light and heat, and it's alien to us. We just can't wait to get back to Michigan and freeze our tails off.
reusable graffiti ... coral on lava
We had a hassle free trip to the Big Island. We were so excited to see a small group of whales spouting as we flew in to land in Kona. We picked up our rental car and drove down to Kailua. We walked around for a little while, and had breakfast at Aki's cafe on Ali'i Drive. The food was great! Best breakfast we had on the trip.
We found our condo without much trouble. It's right on the main drag, Ali'i, and just about a mile from the Kailua Pier and almost all of the activities. We met the owner, Russ, and his friend Frank, and dropped off our stuff and headed for the harbor where we met up with the Sea Wife II and Captain Tim Cox. The previous tour had brought in a 70# marlin (just a baby!) and so our hopes were high.
Unfortunately, the only action we saw were some schools of skipjack tuna that we maneuvered through, and at least we each caught one. (I caught two. I am the master.) Not much bigger than the bass we're accustomed to. We did see more whales at a distance, which was nice. We decided to use our unbooked Saturday morning to try fishing again.
Tuesday evening we dined at Tres Hombres -- which has incredible fried ice cream, about three times the size of Chi-Chi's -- and subsequently decided to NOT dine on Mexican food for the remainder of the trip. ;)
We found our condo without much trouble. It's right on the main drag, Ali'i, and just about a mile from the Kailua Pier and almost all of the activities. We met the owner, Russ, and his friend Frank, and dropped off our stuff and headed for the harbor where we met up with the Sea Wife II and Captain Tim Cox. The previous tour had brought in a 70# marlin (just a baby!) and so our hopes were high.
Unfortunately, the only action we saw were some schools of skipjack tuna that we maneuvered through, and at least we each caught one. (I caught two. I am the master.) Not much bigger than the bass we're accustomed to. We did see more whales at a distance, which was nice. We decided to use our unbooked Saturday morning to try fishing again.
Tuesday evening we dined at Tres Hombres -- which has incredible fried ice cream, about three times the size of Chi-Chi's -- and subsequently decided to NOT dine on Mexican food for the remainder of the trip. ;)
cactus on the mountain
Wednesday, February 5
The drive to Hilo for our helicopter tour was long and extremely rough and curvy through the harsh terrain of the mountainous middle of the island. We reached elevations of 6800+ feet and got some photos above the cloud line. We reached Hilo on time and found the airport. Our tour with Paradise Helicopters was a little less exciting than we'd hoped for. Our first helicopter flight being in a 'stunt' helicopter that did fun dives close to the ground, it was anti-climactic to view the lava flows, smoking volcano and waterfalls from a much greater height than expected. It was pretty cramped and unfortunately my view was mostly instrument panel. Westley got a better seat and took some video and stills.
lava reaching the ocean
We had a lovely drive back to Kailua through northern Hawaii, which is almost like a rainforest jungle. So very different from the lava fields we drove through on the way over. We passed up a hike through a botanical garden and found a park by the ocean. (Westley said we saw frolicking whales. I have already forgotten. This is Sunday that I'm catching up on writing.)
waterfalls near Hilo
I didn't forget about the drive to Napoopoo. Don't do what we did and call it nah-poo-poo. It's pronounced nah-poh-oh-poh-oh. Winding down steep blind curves on barely more than a one lane road in waning light is very memorable. We did end up on a remote rocky shoreline with little company for the sunset.
north coast jungle
Dinner was at Kimo's Buffet, which is a little like a Ponderosa. Westley had grilled mahi mahi which I thought was kinda like tuna but ... fishier. This was the best meal deal on our trip.
north coast shoreline
Thursday, February 6
Parasailing almost didn't happen. We woke up to stronger than normal winds and the sea was choppy, so our 8:00am tour was canceled. We passed the time watching some people fish off the end of the pier. One of them let Westley borrow his rod, and he tied into a broomfish. They are tricky, and this one slipped the hook.
parasailing
We were on standby until 10:00 when we got a call that they were ready to go. We went up about 800 feet above the ocean on a tandem flight. It was very smooth and we had a great clear view with no fog or clouds. The ride included a simulated free fall, bringing us close to 20 feet above the ocean before we ascended again. The crew took photos of us as we were brought back down, so we hope to add more pictures to the vacation collection.
pretty fishies
Our afternoon event was the Body Glove whale watch tour. For three hours, we tried to keep up with a pair of humpback whales headed south, and then intercepted a mother and calf headed north as we made our way back to the harbor. We learned a lot about whales from the expert naturalist on board. We both decided that although it was a neat tour, we'd rather be fishing. ;)
We watched the sun set and had dinner at the Hang Loose Seafood Grill & Bar inside the Kona Inn Village marketplace. Westley saw the green flash. I missed it. I tried a bit of Westley's ono in lemon butter which was very good, not fishy at all. We got monkeys. The Mai Tai was very very good. We saw some of the local stray cats. They have a very refined look to them, sleek and almost Siamese featured, but with the familiar colors.
After dinner, we shopped around the marketplace and happened across a jewelry store with beautiful gold and opal pendants and rings. They were nice, but none of them were just right. The nice folks sent us down the street to a sister store. One ring was just my size, and the fire opal was brilliant. Westley bought it but wouldn't let me have it.
We watched the sun set and had dinner at the Hang Loose Seafood Grill & Bar inside the Kona Inn Village marketplace. Westley saw the green flash. I missed it. I tried a bit of Westley's ono in lemon butter which was very good, not fishy at all. We got monkeys. The Mai Tai was very very good. We saw some of the local stray cats. They have a very refined look to them, sleek and almost Siamese featured, but with the familiar colors.
After dinner, we shopped around the marketplace and happened across a jewelry store with beautiful gold and opal pendants and rings. They were nice, but none of them were just right. The nice folks sent us down the street to a sister store. One ring was just my size, and the fire opal was brilliant. Westley bought it but wouldn't let me have it.
Friday, February 7
A very awesome day.
Kona Coast where we snuba'd
I think the snuba trip is one of our favorite things of the whole week. We are fitted with masks, wetsuits, swim fins, and hoses attached to an air tank that floats on a raft above us, and can dive to 25 feet and explore the coral reef just off the Kailua pier. We saw lots of colorful and beautiful fish. Can't name most of them. We would like to get scuba certified for next time. We kept going off in different directions until we hit the end of our hoses. ;)
Westley saw a viper moray eel and later found out that it was a good thing he didn't see it up any closer. They have bad tempers and inward curving teeth. You get them off you by cutting off their heads, and hoping they haven't shredded too much flesh off your bones before you get to a knife. He also saw a barracuda.
I don't know what I saw. They were fish. Yellow, black, white, blue, orange, brown, pretty fish.
Westley saw a viper moray eel and later found out that it was a good thing he didn't see it up any closer. They have bad tempers and inward curving teeth. You get them off you by cutting off their heads, and hoping they haven't shredded too much flesh off your bones before you get to a knife. He also saw a barracuda.
I don't know what I saw. They were fish. Yellow, black, white, blue, orange, brown, pretty fish.
getting ready to board the submarine
The submarine tour was the other scheduled event of the day. It was very cool and we got to learn more about some of the fish we had viewed earlier during snuba. Can't say most of the names. We're talking a dozen plus syllables per fish. The name is sometimes bigger than the fish. We also saw a few things we had not observed earlier, as we went down to 100 feet. We took photos and video but not sure how well they will turn out. It was pretty neat, but not a must-do-again thing.
yellow tang out the sub window
We drove out before sunset to find a sandier beach spot to watch the sun disappear. It actually goes down very quickly as soon as it touches the water. Didn't see the green flash this time. I was a little distracted.
our beach
We walked down the beach for a while, looking for a spot with little company. It wasn't really sand beyond the lava rock that the waves were crashing against, but bits of broken coral and shell, that upon close examination, revealed a lot of color and shimmer, surf-sanded points and smoothed edges. Just before sunset, as we found a nice secluded place to sit and watch, Westley pulled out the ring, and proposed forever together. I thought it sounded like a great idea. We are stuck with each other forever now. :D
the forever ring
We had dinner at Bubba Gumps. It was the most expensive dinner we had on the trip. Don't go unless you REALLY love shrimp. Westley ate like three people that night instead of two.
our sunset
Saturday, February 8
Fishing again with the Sea Wife. Morning charter turns up a small striped marlin for one of our companions, one more little tuna for me, and nothing for anyone else. We did see a lot of whales, pretty close up and active. We got to see a couple of breaches and spyhopping, fairly close to the boat. There were porpoises as well. They swim alongside the boat and seem very curious. A few of them jumped in tandem with the whales' play. That was amazing to watch, but nobody thought to grab the camera.
big tuna
Due to Westley's disappointment with the uncooperative fish, the captain offered us the afternoon charter at a savings, so we decide to stay on board. Unfortunately, nothing else bites. There was a 200 lb. blue marlin going after Westley's lure, but it missed the hook, just leaving serrations on the leader from its toothy bill. The captain saw it so it's not just another fish story. ;)
Chinese New Year parade
Got a little too much sun in the afternoon, and the time to check in at the luau comes and goes. Got the vacation-winding-down grumps. Took a long nap, and then finally got gussied up in our totally touristy Hawaiian garb, and headed downtown for the Chinese New Year festival and parade. Bought some more goodies. Stayed up too late. Packed for the next morning, glad we had an extra bag we could check.
Didn't want to get up. Got up anyway. Returned the rental car, checked in at the airport and ended up getting seats on an earlier flight into Honolulu. We took the city bus to the USS Arizona Monument and got tickets for the tour before we would have even gotten into Honolulu, so that worked out better than expected.
Didn't want to get up. Got up anyway. Returned the rental car, checked in at the airport and ended up getting seats on an earlier flight into Honolulu. We took the city bus to the USS Arizona Monument and got tickets for the tour before we would have even gotten into Honolulu, so that worked out better than expected.
USS Arizona submerged deck
The memorial is very sobering, and well worth the wait for the ferry ride and the video presentation. We also had time to visit the USS Bowfin submarine, aka "the Pearl Harbor Avenger."
one of the flags over the USS Arizona
We had heard about a flea market nearby, so we inquired after it in the gift shop. The nice lady told us to walk back to the bus stop, and it was about a block down the road to the left. Apparently, a block in Hawaii is close to two Michigan miles, but we make it to the Aloha Stadium parking lot for the last hour of a huge swap meet. THIS is the place to get your souveniers. We saw many of the same things that all the downtown shops were selling, at a significant discount. More tee shirts and jewelry and such for the kids and friends back home, then a shuttle to the airport.
Airport food is good, not to be confused with airline food. However, portions are small, and price is high. Good thing the Mai Tai was strong. Just about an hour before we board our flight back to Detroit. It is close to 6:30pm here, which means it's almost 11:30pm at home. It will soon be Monday in Michigan, and we arrive at Metro at 9:07am, so we are hoping to get some sleep on the flight.
Aloha!
It was the trip of a lifetime!
New Orbitz!
Weather
by XP
Explore related pages
Airfare, Hotel, Car Rental- The busy travel season is nearing: Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday,...
Plan Your Next Trip in 7 Steps- Helpful Travel Tips, Expert Trip Advice and Valuable Travel Resources including...
Jerash of Jordan- Gerasa, Antioch on the Golden River, Pompeii of the Middle East ... all names le...
Let's Go on a Trip!
- I like to go to the beach, but I also like to visit small towns and villages. No...
Last Minute Deals Travel- I tried to put together a site for last minute deals travel. I will continue to...
YTB Travel and Prosper- Start your own YTB online Travel Business – NOW! http://www.TripConcepts.c...
