Hawaii – Page 4 – Todd and Cindy's Travel Blog

Hawaiian Adventure Maui Post 1

So they say things come in threes, thank goodness that’s not true because 2 bumps to the start of our vacation is enough… Bump 1 – We had an hour delay on the plane in Toronto because the water system was frozen on the plane (-20 °C outside) and for some reason loading the luggage was behind schedule. Not a big deal, as we did have a 1 1/2hr. layover in Chicago. The flight from Chicago to Maui was long, but we were in First Class and the scenery along the way was beautiful – fluffy clouds, Rocky Mountains, and finally Maui.

Bump 2 – In all our years of travel and numerous trips throughout, we have never had a lost or delayed bag….until now. The suitcase with ALL my clothing, my toiletries, some sweets, the coffee, and other “necessary” items was delayed (???) and not scheduled to show up until later at night. On the positive, it is only delayed and not lost. Note to self – split up clothing into both suitcases from now on… Not sure if customs delayed it as you can see they were good enough to give us back the lock they cut off ! Todd says they probably though the 12 pack of toilet paper we brought (to avoid buying it in USD when we get there) was a bomb !

After being up almost 20 hours, we arrived at our condo for the next 27 nights in Lahaina. We are right on the water…so beautiful, and we arrived in time to experience the sunset. We are in Paradise!

We have spent a very low-key first week here in Lahaina. Our condo unit is oceanfront (so spoiled by the amazing views). Each morning we sit on the lanai drinking our coffee and watching the developing rainbow.

Countless humpback whales swimming by, keep us hooked as they breach and slap their tails.

We did do a couple of drives. One day we headed north towards Napili and a bit beyond. On our way back, we stopped at the Maui Brewing Pub to quench our growing thirst. The bar was very unique – it had a frosted edge around the inside perimeter to keep the drinks cold and stop the glasses from condensation.

Lahaina has a micro-brewery, Kohola Brewery. It looks like it is in a former Maui Brewing building because the logo can still be seen on a part of the building. The bar offers a range of beers, but not really any IPAs for Todd.

Thursday, we took a drive to the Maui Tropical Plantation. We walked the grounds (versus paying $20 ea to ride the tram). Not many plants were flowering, but it was a good walk and we did get a few nice pics of the plants that were flowering.

On our way back to Lahaina, we took a detour to Kihei to compare it with the area we are staying – much more spread out. Once we got back to the highway (the only road in to Lahaina from this side of the island), we hit a traffic standstill. We travelled 1 mile in 1 hour…enough of that…so we joined a few of the other drivers who decided to turn around. We drove back to Kihea and found a bar we were familiar with from Waikiki – Moose McGillycuddy’s. We stopped in for some food and drink (and a bathroom break). Turns out the road was completely closed due to an accident. After an hour and a bit, when the road finally opened, we started home again – movement was really slow (1 ½ hours to go less than 20 miles), but at least traffic was moving.

Friday night was a potluck / meet ‘n greet at the condo. There was a ton of food and lots of variety. About 75% of the units here are occupied with renters….lots of older folks who return year after year. We met a group from Winnipeg and ended up chatting with them long after others retired for the night.

We are totally enjoying ourselves in this laidback lifestyle as we spend our time in Lahaina. The plan is to go and explore some more of the island in the coming days…just as long as we are back on the lanai for the beautiful sunset.

Big Island Adventure Week 4, Final Post

Week 4

Wow, how the time has flown by…final week…

If you read our Galapagos blog, you would know that we snorkeled for the first time there and loved it. That said, 3 weeks in, and we hadn’t been in the water yet, so it was time to get wet…(yes, I love snorkeling, but that initial getting wet, I need to work up to). We went a couple of times to a shallow lagoon next to our condo.

Then on Tuesday, Aline and Dave picked us up for a deep water snorkel excursion to Kealakekua Bay. This is where Captain James Cook came ashore on the Hawaiian Islands and later where he was killed.

The waters are calm and the views are amazing. I was in awe the moment I jumped in and put my face in the water.

The hour passed quickly, and then it was time to board the boat for our trip back.

On our way back we saw Spinner dolphins,

whales,

lava tubes – this one looks like an evil face used by the ancients for sacrifices!

and locals jumping off a cliff (notably named, End of the World).

Video

Great fun with our new friends…

On Thursday, Aline and Dave picked us up for another day of adventure. We went to Kaloko-Honokohau National Park to hike some of the trails. The area was home to ancient Hawaiians. We spotted a lot of parrots on the trail, their squawking almost sounded like they were laughing at us !

We saw petroglyphs along our walk.

Near the shore, a map lets you imagine what the village would have once looked like. The lava rock fish traps are still intact.

Next stop was the beautifully landscaped Mauka Meadows.

A long and winding trail leads you down through flower gardens, fruit gardens, and coffee plants (and big spiders).

The trail ends at a coffee tasting venue with an infinity pool with a lookout of the ocean below.

The resident chicken happily enjoys when visitors share their banana with him. Aline was happy to oblige.

While in the Kona coffee belt region, we made another stop to Greenwell Farms. This coffee farm has been around since 1850.

We did a tour around the grounds. The company provides custom milling, roasting and packaging for their coffee beans and other the coffee farms on the Big Island. The coffee trees in the picture are about 115 years old, most trees are in production for about 20 years.

The farm has many fruit trees avocado, mango, citrus, banana, that are not harvested commercially, but provide free food for the workers ! After the tour, over half a dozen different coffees were offered for tasting.

Dinner was at Ocean’s for Taco Thursday. Aline and Dave treated. Todd had shrimp tacos and a blackened fish taco (best he’s had on the Island).

I went for a steak taco and Kalua pork taco – would highly recommend the pork…

As nightfall came, we were treated to great views of the full moon from our lanai.

Our final full day started with breakfast out – Kalua Pork Eggs Benedict on homemade bread with herbed potatoes – excellent flavour (and very filling). And then some last minute shopping…

We finished the day, meeting up with Aline and Dave for drinks and dinner at Bongo Bens. This has been our regular “haunt” this vacation. It is the “Cheers” of Kona – “where everyone knows your name”. The regulars (residents) mix with the vacationers on the stools around the bar and stories are exchanged and laughs are shared. But, the reason why this venue is so well frequented is Naia. She puts the “Happy” in Happy Hour with her friendly, efficient service. Preparing drinks for those at the bar and the rest of Bongo’s, she is a powerhouse and cares about her customers. We learned a lot about this born and bred Big Island resident over the past four weeks and we are going to miss her friendly greetings and amazing smile – which is one of the reasons we are planning a return trip sooner, rather than later…

The Big Island Hawaii Post 3

Week 3

Sunday night, we met up once again with our new friends from BC – Aline and Dave. It was Aline’s birthday (55th – that makes me the youngest in our foursome…lol), so we joined them for a celebratory dinner at Quinn’s By the Sea.

I even had fish! – fish and chips, that is…. The fish was mild, but a little dense, and batter was tasty, so there…had fish, now back to good ole Kahlua Pork.

Wednesday was our “Take-2” with Volcano Van. The tour guide came with a rental because his van was still in the shop. This time we drove north. We stopped along the road to check out a lava tube.

We stopped at Laupahoehoe Park where the ocean shows its beauty and raw power as the waves crash against the numerous leaf-shaped lava rocks that border the shore. (Laupahoehoe means leaf lava).

The beauty of the area is marked by tragedy. A school house once stood here, but on April 1, 1946, a tsunami destroyed the building and killed 23 children and 4 teachers. It is very emotional reading the names of the deceased – whole families of children gone….

The Big Island has all but two of the world’s climate zones. As we drove northeast, the arid, brown land dotted with volcanic rock turned green – houses with lawns, lush flora along the roadside, and the occasional waterfall.

We made a pit-stop in Honomu where we picked up Hilo coffee beans to take home from the café. Then we wandered over to Mr. Ed’s Bakery – what a treat! Freshly made cookies (including our favourite, Macadamia Nut cookies), and jams fill the store. We have never seen so many types of (all natural and for the most part using local ingredients) jams, jellies, and chutneys in one place – and all are available to sample! Todd bought the Tangerine Torture – a tangerine jam with jalapeno and ghost peppers.

Kolekole Park, under one towering train bridge is an oasis of a once sugar cane run to the sea that invites visitors.

The area is a favourite of local (experienced) surfers.

Locals also come to fish,

or just to enjoy the scenery…

Next, we stopped at Akaka Falls State. We hiked a paved path, slightly uphill, through a lush rainforest filled with palms, ferns, bamboo, and flowering bushes.

The first waterfall we came to was the 100 ft. Kahuna Falls.

As the path continues, the 442 ft. Akaka Falls comes into view as the water drops into the gorge below. The Oopu alamoo is an endemic Hawaiian species of goby fish that spawns in stream above the waterfall. When spawning season comes around they climb to the top using a suction cup just below their head ! The fish lives in the sea while maturing and dies after spawning.

Although, we didn’t see much of Hilo, we did stop at Liliuokalani Park and Gardens for a scenic lunch. The park consists of 30 acres of Japanese gardens.

The highlight of the day was exploring sections of Volcano National Park. We began at a lookout point towards the Halema’uma’u Crater vent.

Next we walked along the path to the steam vents. Ground water seeps down to the hot volcanic rocks in this area and returns to the surface as steam.

We drove along Chain of Craters Road to its end – where lava literally takes over the road from a 1959 eruption.

The beauty of lava….

We completed our tour back at the lookout to Halema’uma’u Crater vent in the evening when the glow can be seen.

Friday, we tagged along with our friends, Aline and Dave, to Pololū Valley for a hike. You literally drive to the end of the road (on Hwy. 270) and when you can’t go any farther, you’re there.