Honolulu, Kona, Hawaii
World Trip Two
Tuesday, March 31, 2009: Hawaii
(Yodel Le He Ho)
The trip to New Zealand from San Francisco
can take 16 hours or more. So we decided to break up this grueling flight
with a short stop in Hawaii. After
landing at Honolulu (top middle island in the picture) we took a short
flight to Kona on the big Island (bottom island on the right). It is very clear
from this photo that the Hawaiian Islands sit on top of an under sea mountain
range. We are effectively vacationing in the mountains.
Julia slowly becoming Hawaiian.
Julia and I have both been to Kona before, but many years ago. Not much has
changed. Kona is still edged by beautiful black volcanic rock shores and cliffs.
The pace still moves like molasses flowing in an English winter. The air is
still clean and the ocean is still endless.
Julia told me that she got her first lei here in Honolulu.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009: Kona, Hawaii
A tropical spider.
We felt compelled to go for a walk today after yesterday's traveling and
lounging. However, the only place (at this resort) to take a long walk was on
the golf course. So like two school children sneaking out of class Julia and I
tippy toed onto the immaculate fairways. We
walked quietly past golfers and tried to become invisible when passing grounds
staff. All the way we pasted every kind of tropical flower, birds, and to
Julia's horror spiders.
Eventually we could no longer take the stress of trespassing on hallowed golfing
grounds and left for the public road. We felt relieved to not be encroaching on
the private field of ball-bangers, but the street was nowhere near as scenic.
The surprise was coming across several wild goats grassing at the side of the
road.
The rest of the afternoon was spent by and in the pool, drinking Mai Tai, and
sleeping under the cabana.
Wednesday, April 2, 2009
We found another great walk today. This stroll had us walking for only minutes
on a golf course. It
mainly followed the rocky coastline. At one point we came across a very
rock-strewn "almost beach" and could not resist trying to go for a swim. Because
of the rocks and waves it was very difficult to get in the ocean. At one point
Julia got knocked over and cut her finger. No serious damage but it was enough
for us to give up on a swim in the rocky ocean.
Hawaii Video
Trip stats
Miles Flown: 2,388
Miles Hiked: 12