Big Island
After landing, heading over to Costco and Foodland to make a grocery run before getting to the timeshare. After checking in, settled in and had some food (kalbi short ribs) and dark and stormy drinks before calling it a night.
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| Balcony view from King's Land |
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| King Bed in two bedroom suite at King's Land |
The next day, went down to Kona and visited the coffee farms that were open and/or visible from the highway. Visited a few familiar and unfamiliar coffee farms - Kona Joe and Mauka Meadows were one of the few I can remember. Kona Joe I have been before and I didn't realize the owner was a SoCal resident. Mauka Meadows was a new one for me, beautiful botanical garden before getting to the ocean view lanai to taste coffee. They do have a van that runs through the garden which is on an incline. Going down is a lot easier than going up but it is a nice walk if you are up for it.
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| Mauka Meadows |
Before heading back to the timeshare, stopped off in town and visited Donkey Balls. Really, it is chocolate covered candies but it is funny to call them donkey balls. They also make cookies and brownies which was also very good.
Went out to eat at Ruth's Chris to bring in the New Year. I haven't been to one in a long time and still had gift cards from the time I went to Maui. After switching tables, I enjoyed the service better and the food was good as well.
The next day, it was going to be an easy lazy day and I found Kau Bay where Manini'owala Beach is located. It is a white sand beach and relatively close to the timeshare and Costco. The waters were a little rough, plenty of body surfers. It seems really popular so be prepared for tight parking and get cozy with your neighbors on the beach. The waters were very clear and the temperature was cool.
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| Kau Bay - Manini'owala Beach |
Afterwards, went back and enjoyed a nice evening in the timeshare. The next day, moved to another building (Kohala Suites). Comparing the two locations, I do like King's Land for its newer appliances and modern décor. Kohala Suites was laid out a little bit better for a 2 bedroom suite but the appliances were not as new.
Hung out at the pool and went over to the Hilton Waikoloa hotel to watch some college football and enjoy some lava flows. It was an early evening because it was going to be a long day.
The next day (really more like 2 am), headed out to the other side of the island. I had booked a tour to see the lava flows from the ocean. I had seen a friend's Facebook post of this tour company, Kalapana Cultural Tours, and the lava flows that can be seen from the water. I had booked the 6 am departure based on the advice given from the reservation girl. She mentioned that waters are at its calmest in the mornings. Luckily for the group, a lava bench had broken off (about 200 acres) and the lava tube was exposed right before our tour! The tour was pretty amazing, I felt that I was in the Lord of the Rings episode approaching the dark cliff with the molten lava flowing out. Someone in the group also brought a drone and it caught amazing footage up close. Word to the wise, it is not super easy driving in the dark to the boat dock and it isn't obvious how to find the boats but stumble around and you will eventually find it all.
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| Sunrise view of lava tube |
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| Pre-sunrise view of lava tube |
After the tour, had breakfast at Hawaiian Style Café. The last time I ate at this café, they only had one location. Now there are a couple more and one near Hilo. My pancakes were still ginormous and the food was still tasty. After breakfast, wandered over to the Low International Foods to pick up some rainbow bread for my friend. I also visited Big Island Candies to load up on all my favorite shortbread cookies at wholesale prices.
Before heading back to the Kona side, stopped off at the Wailuku River State Park to see rainbow falls and to burn off the breakfast calories. After walking around the falls, headed out to Kona. On the way to Kona, stopped off at the Hawaiian Vanilla Company. I came across it online and decided it would make a good rest stop on the way back to the timeshare. It is a family owned operation and the only US vanilla bean farm. I enjoyed my root beer float and bought some vanilla to take home. I missed the afternoon tea but it looked interesting.
The next day, decided to enjoy our last full day in Hawaii. Went out for brunch at Broke Da Mouth Grindz. It was sooooo good. They even had a 'musubi burrito' with fried chicken. It was definitely a worthwhile visit and had me tempted to come back before going home.
Spent the rest of the day hanging out at the Hilton pools. Rented a kayak and a floatie for the afternoon and enjoyed the balmy weather. The next day, the group was going to the airport in waves. After dropping off the first group, the remaining folks went to Kahaluu Beach. It was a black sand beach, a pretty nice one compared to the others I've been. The waters were a little rough but it was pleasant to watch. I did see a snorkeling center so it appears to be a popular snorkeling spot but it seemed too rough. Winter time means that ocean waters are rougher so maybe it skews the whole experience.
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| Kahaluu Beach |
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| Kahaluu Beach |
Dropped off the rental car and grabbed a ride with others to the airport before heading home on United.
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