Kona-Hawaii

Went to The Big Island of Hawaii for our October vacation this year. We were all set to head to Costa Rica to visit Neal and Angie, but they had an outbreak of Dengue Fever so we played it safe and postponed our visit for another time. It was a last minute trip, but Vic found a great Condo just south of Kona which we used as our home base for the week. Kona is great, no complaints. Nice beaches, good snorkeling and lots of lava and shave ice. It's unanimous, the Big Island is our favorite. Here are some pics. Enjoy!!

We did lots of swinging in the water. Beaches like this one are very typical on the Kona coast this time of year.

Kyra spent lots of time in flippers. However most of it was on dry land.

Vicki exiting the water after a snorkel. "Kyra, it was amazing, so many fish and turtles!"

The only way to snorkel, Vicki with the sea to herself.

Kyra can entertain herself by playing in the sand for hours. It's by far our favorite and cheapest babysitter.

We saw lots of turtles sunning themselves. Here are a few.

We were sure not to get too close.

One evening we went to a resort that had a Dolphin habitat. It was really cool to see them be so playful together.

Sunset after dinner at the Resort.

No Green Flash. :(

Took a day to visit the Volcano National Park. Happened to be there the day before the Govt Shutdown so we got lucky on that one. This is the main crater with lava smoldering and steaming.

Liquid hot magma used to flow through this Lava Tube and left this 1/4 mile cave. Which we all know are cool. These days a steady stream of Japanese geriatrics maintain the tradition as its a popular stop for most every tour bus on the island.

Taking time to drive through the entire park was definitely worth it. Lots of lava. It was very fun to just park alongside the road and explore.

Miles and miles of lava, all the way to the sea.

Watch your step, its sharp!

"Daddy, It looks like braids of hair"

Vicki found the lava fields peaceful. And, surprisingly, it really was.

More lava. It would have been cool to see some hot liquid magma flowing wherever it wanted, but to do that right now it requires a 13+ mile hike.

Road Closed, yeah no kidding.

In the 60's lava flowed over the road here. Apparently it was a big deal. They sell water and juice at the beginning of this hike. For being such a remote place the price was pretty reasonable. But would it kill them to have a take a penny leave a penny jar so one doesn't have to carry 98 cents all over the place?

Sea Arch

Kyra tried body boarding for the first time. We were really proud of her. She is a natural and had a blast.

But daddy got a little ambitious pushing her into this one. After a little fussing she got back out there and rode some more. It was really cool to see her overcome her fears and try something new and somewhat scary, especially after she want over the falls and wiped out.

Went to a Seahorse Farm/Hatchery. It was very cool. They grow their own seaweed, which they encourage you to eat. It was salty.

Sea Horses

Kyra holding a Sea Horse. They wrap their little tails around your fingers. Its a pretty unique experience.

Kyra discovered Guava Juice. We suspect there may be some Crack in there.

And I know there's an addictive chemical in Shave Ice that makes you crave it fortnightly.

Took a tour to the Captain Cook Memorial. It was a bit touristy, but the snorkeling was by far the best we saw on the island. Lots of fish some eel and very pretty coral. They restrict the cove to kayakers and only one boat but its still pretty crowded. Kyra went around on a "lookie" board. Its a boogie board with a hole cut out and a dive mask put in place so you can lay on top of the board and still see the fish. It was perfect. We dragged Kyra all over the place and really enjoyed sharing our love of the underwater world with Kyra for the first time. As touristy as it all was we felt that it was still worth it.

Vic and Kyra on the ride out.

Family pic at the Captain Hook Memorial.

Flame Tree - reminded us of Guam

Lava rocks outside our condo. It was fun to play around in the tide pools and look for crabs.

The toilet bowl. Incoming tide would rush in and out of this hole really fast and make a loud whooshing sound, Kyra came up with the very appropriate name.

Da Poke Shack. Nothin' like a bowl full Poke after a long day at the beach. All I can say is Mmmmmmmm!