Last Beach Day

Mauna Kea

We knew that we wanted to spend our last beach day at Mauna Kea - what we didn't know was that it would be a Red Flag day, waves were up to six feet high.

This meant the lifeguards were very busy today, we saw at least five rescues of people who were out far beyond their abilities.  It's a bit stressful even watching them!

Huge wave looks like a wall of water rolling in.

Ted had a great ride for his first one of the day, and several more afterwards.  I went out on the boogie board a few times but the under currents and strong surf was too much for me today.  We'll definitely remember this day at the beach!

Waipi'o Valley

Morning dawns and it's a beautiful day for a drive.  Today we're going to take a drive up past Waikoloa Village, through Waimea and then a half hour farther up the highway to the Waipi'o Valley Lookout.

Far below us we could see the black sand beach, and the untouched valley.  Off to the west the ocean had some whitecaps on it, waves should be high tomorrow.

On the way home we were looking for Tex's malasada place but we couldn't find it so we stopped at a roadside stand - not so great, next year we'll have to come back!

A Hidden Gem

Kukio Beach

Hawaiian law states that the beaches are all open to the public, which is pretty nice.   The tricky part is sometimes finding how to get to the 'public shoreline access' if it's contained within private property, which is the case with a few beaches that we really like.  Kukio Beach is one of them, along with Mauna Kea. 
It's located on the other side of the manned entrance to the Four Seasons Resort and golf course, but if you ask to go to the public beach they will give you a pass and point you in the right direction.

There are two entrances to this beach, one for the north end of the beach and one to the south.  We first went to the north end of the beach where there were only four other people so we set up our chairs near a little bit of shade.

From where we were sitting we could see the south beach around to the far end. We drove around there later before we went home - we'll definitely be going back there with the grandkids next time they come!  There's a perfect little enclosed swimming bay there, it's on the other side of the sand bar area.

It's a bonus to find a bit of a shade tree that's close to the water at the beach, today we were able to so we parked our chairs and relaxed.  Ted went onto the Four Seasons pathway for a walk and found it went all the way to their Beach House restaurant, he loves that promenade.  (Especially when he can buy a cold beer there!)

This bird thought I would certainly have food for him so he kept coming right up to me.

The turtle slept nearby on the sand the whole time we were there.  As the sun started to get lower in the sky and the waves came up closer and closer to us we figured it was time to pack up and head out.  Kukio Beach is truly a hidden gem.

The Hilton

There's lots to see over at the Hilton, we took a leisurely late afternoon stroll over there yesterday.  The property is huge, and there's some interesting things to see.

The rope bridge over the pool

Waterfall at the back side of the pool

Pretty peacock strolls around and under the coffee bar tables

It's a huge property to walk around but it's a beautiful setting, we stopped and sat and watched the dolphin lagoon for quite a while.

Sleeping flamingos

This tortoise was slowly making his way over to his water hole.

After the sunset we made our way back home past the Kings Shops and over to our home sweet home here on the Big Island.

Kings' Shops

Mornings

I like morning.  I wake up between 5-6am, just like I do at home and I don't mind a bit.  The birds begin to chirp as soon as the sun starts to come up, and I love to sit outside and listen to them as I drink my morning coffee. 

Yesterday

We went over to the Fairmont for a beach walk and then had coffee poolside there.  On the way there we see these goats, it always seems weird to me that there are goats on the golf fairways and roadsides here.

A lot of big wave action 

The malasadas there are delicious, they have a different flavour filling each day - this day was coconut!  

Today

Ted likes sleeping in a bit, then gets up to have a coffee and go over to the hot tub and loosen up his muscles for the day.  By 9am he's at the tennis court for a morning match and I'm at the pool to laze around, read, chat with others there and go for a dip every now and then to cool off.  There was hardly anyone there this morning but by mid-afternoon it'll be hoppin'.

The edge of the infinity pool is a popular place for the local birds to get cooled off as well, this little fellow was particularly happy - it's fun to watch!

Friends Last Day - Anaeho'omalu Bay

Yesterday we went to 'A' Bay, which is very close to where we're staying.  There you can rent all kinds of fun equipment to take out onto the ocean; hydro bikes, paddle boards, kayaks, boogie boards, and there's also the Glass Bottom Boat ride.

Turtles like 'A' Bay swimming too!

After a lot of fun we left to get ready for our last dinner all together at the Lava Lava, where we listened to a local musician and watched the sunset.

This morning our friends flew home, we've had a great two weeks sharing good times together.  Ted and I have one more week here to enjoy the sun and do a few more things here that we want before we too head home.

Fairwinds Excursion

Keauhou Bay

We made our way down to the marina to board the Fairwinds catamaran for a three and a half hour excursion to do some snorkeling by the Captain Cook monument in Keauhou Bay.

It was an hour's boat ride and then we were in the beautiful bay.  

There were numerous people on the monument site, which the Captain of the boat advised us was against the law and emphasized that we were not to climb up on it.  Taking coral or anything out of the reef is also not allowed, we were to take only pictures and enjoy the beauty of the bay.

There was a variety of ways to see the fish; Ken and Ted chose the snorkel and mask, Shirley and Sue and I chose the 'viewing box', and Derrick did snuba.  All three were perfect to see the amazing underwater sea life and coral formations.

After snorkeling for an hour or so we got out of the water and went up to the top deck where there was access to two slides into the water, lots of fun!

Great afternoon on the ocean!

Breaking Bread

Part of the fun of a vacation is checking out the local eateries to see what they have to offer; some casual, some higher-end.  Together we've enjoyed evenings at several spots, whether to watch the sunset or just take in the Hawaiian spirit.

Lava Lava - our go-to spot

Upstairs at Tommy Bahamas

Fairmont Orchid Happy Hour - torchlighting and conch blowing

We also spend evenings in on our own lanais enjoying the sunset and barbeque.

Master BBQ'er Kenny

Another beautiful sunset - seen from Sue and Derrick's lanai.