Monday February 29th is Leap Day

Feb.29th comes around only every four years


Not too much to report. This is our last full day on Big Island. Adrienne is going to do the Green Bay Packers thing. (Packing the suitcases.) We head to Vancouver tomorrow and home on March 3rd. Is it almost March already?


Many good memories of our 4 week stay here in Hawaii. Big Island is definitely our favourite Hawaiian island. Two tours of the entire Big Island and several trips out to the Kohala area north of where we have our condo.


Today we are set  for one more snorkel and one more  pool and that should be the last of that. Good weather for beaches right now but the forecast is for the surf to get wild tomorrow or some days after.


Dinner should be Annie's Burgers and Beer....and GypSea Gelato.


Aloha from Hawaii. The Hawaiian gods or their statuary are bidding as goodbye.

 

Sunday Feb.28th the Kahaluu Beach is open

Feb.28th Sunday


Just in time for many weekenders, the snorkelling beach is open again.


Since we had to  do a lot of driving on Saturday to Kapa'a, it was good to relax in the morning. The low tide mark was supposed to be around 1:50pm so we thought to wait till after that to go snorkelling. Pool in the morning. Not enough interest.


Adrienne had a snorkel mask repair which allowed her to go with us into the ocean. It seems Adrienne and Jean and I were out for about one hour in the water at Kahaluu. There was certainly lots of fishes to see once again. I enjoyed particularly the coral gardens further away from shore. Some of the areas I call coral canyons because the walls of coral are interesting to glide in and through them. Many first timers or newbies step on the coral. It is a wonder that so much coral is left.


The pool is once again an afternoon favourite. Right after Kahaluu the girls go right into the pool for at least another 60 minutes. I go for half that much. It is very relaxing nonetheless.


Dinner at Splashers Restaurant. For Kim and I it is round three. For Adrienne and Jean it is the second go round. Adrienne has the Captain's Table consisting of all my favourites: crab cakes, shrimps and battered fish. I have the blackened Mahi Mahi on a bed of delicious vegies. The two cakes on the plate must be vegie cakes but inspired by seafood crab cakes. Again a very good kitichen makes for a pleasurable meal. It is easy to be a foodie with dishes like they produce.


Below is very early Sunday morning snorkelers who cannot wait to get in the water. The beach was closed for 5 days and maybe they have to go back home today or tomorrow.

Rush hour early at Keahou Bay. The earliest boats that do go out to Captain Cook Memorial are the zodiacs. The regular catamaran tour boats leave at 8:30am and 8:45am. The Zodiacs can leave as early as 8am.........

Saturday Feb.27th Whale watching at Kapa'a beach

Sat.Feb.27th


The day before was a fast day for the girls. Since Kim and I had the luxury of getting a special eating out dinner we had to give Adrienne and Jean the idea to plan the next few days.
The Kahalu'u Beach was still  closed today. No snorkelling. The place of refuge park that is farther away also said they were closed. What is a tourist to do?


The trip to  Kapa'a Beach is the answer. It is one of our favourite whale watching places. And we have also brought plenty of picnic lunch ahead with us. One of the highlights of the lunch was cut up steak which we desired to consume before we left Hawaii. The picnic table itself was a pretty good vantage for looking over the ocean looking for marine life.


Dinner out was the Rebel Kitchen Restaurant. Adrienne and I had the Jambalaya dish. The waitress said they might be running out of rice which we thought might be funny. Anyway, when our Jambalaya arrived it had a good bowl full of rice and all the beautiful New Orleans ingredients surrounding it. Many, many flavours in this dish. The cooks here do not stint on shrimps, sausage, chicken and also herbs and hot spices. GypSea gelatos for dessert. Especially ice creams with macadamia nuts. Such as Fig and Honey ice cream with macadamias.


Below is Kahaluu Beach which is closed for the 5th day in a row.

The Sea Paradise main boat is the Hokuhele. Today they have traded it in for a similar vessel the KonaSpirit. Same size catamaran, I believe.

Friday Feb.26th....Nothing Day at the Condo + Photos

February 26th


A very relaxing day. The two drivers did the trek around the island yesterday so today is mainly doing nothing. Reading the e-reader and puzzling and checking the internet.
Pool time is 3pm and the pool is always rewarding.
Kim and I go out to Splashers Restaurant together because the girls are on a fast day. Kimhas fish and chips and I have the Captain's Table...crab cake, 4 shrimps and a piece of battered fish with the two sides of French fries and a Caeser salad.


The Keahou Bay hasrbour is lacking some vessels this morning. Our tour boat the Hokuhele is not there and the very large catamaran Fair Wind II is not there. The swells on the ocean may have deemed parking (or harbouring) the vessels elsewhere.

This is Kahaluu Bay in the photo below. Beach is closed. This beach often has hundreds of swimmers and snorkelers per day. Several tourists are disappointed, I am sure.

Frb.25th Again about the Hilo Day

Feb.25th......................again


Something wrong about making a blog too large. So this is Part II of Feb.25th.


The Hilo part of the voyage was to see two museums:


1) Imiloa Astronomy Center on the campus of University of Hawaii at Hilo. We saw a wonderful presentation in their planetarium. A lot of fundamental star gazing info. A lot of Hawaiian and Polynesian interpretations of the skies. The information is very well received. The exhibition part is also interesting and rewarding. How as an amateur can you help finding exoplanets...planets around other stars. How the Polynesians travelled with the stars. How there are projects today taking Hawaiian canoes around the Pacific and around the world. A real eye-opener.


The Pacific Tsunami Museum is our second museum. Even if we do not have a lot of time it is interesting to see the history of tsunamis. Yes, they are very devastating and I did no realize how many people died in Indonesia in their big tsunami. Today's world is trying to be more tsunami responsive but their are always people living right by the ocean.....


Polynesian canoes and navigation by the stars. Imiloa Astronomy Center............

ving near the oceans.

Wed.Feb.24 is Coffee Farm Day, Thurs. Feb.25th is Volcano and Hilo Day

Wed.Feb.24th Visiting 3 Coffee Plantations


The snorkeling is pretty well out for a day or two. Two of our main beaches are closed. Their respective parks are also closed to the public. Naturally it means a few odd, very odd surfers think that they should challenge the big surf. They probably are not doing badly but we heard that on day one of the big surf there had to be a number of rescues.
There was a Botanical Garden we wanted to check out not too far away. It turns out was closed. Permanently. So we go to Greenwell's Coffee Farm. It has been going for a long time. Some of the coffee trees are about one hundred years old. Our guide takes us around a small tour of their operations. 50,000 coffee trees, I believe. They also have some avocado trees and banana trees. It is interesting to see the multi-step process to finally get a roasted coffee bean. Adrienne does most of the coffee (liquid) sampling. And she buys her favourite beans.


Holualoa Coffee Farm was visit number two. It has the chickens and geese running all around. Very much a `traditional` farm setting. And also very much a working coffee farm. Even though we heard that coffee picking is done from August to February, this crew was busy processing and even roasting coffee beans. (We had to make do in their parking lot to have a quite pick-me-up picnic type lunch. We had packed our own sandwiches and such so it was not difficult to eat standing up.)


Mountain Thunder Coffee Farm was our third visit. I have read about this one before. Not only because they claimed leadership in sustainability and organic farming but because other people claimed coffee could not be grown at this higher elevation. (4000ft.approx.) And they have what looks like a successful business. Coffee is great and Adrienne definitely buys a French Roast to take home.


Photo number one is beside Holueloa Coffee Farm....

At Greenwells Farm we had a good tour guide.

Thurday Feb.25th is Volcano Day and Hilo Day

This is how I am trying to catch up. It is Thursday and a long day and yet I am trying to get these last notes in.

The four of us are on the road at 9am and heading to Kilauea volcano. The roads we take are in good shape. we have two drivers and we do not attempt to take one lane sideroads that go nowhere.

The volcano is perfect for taking ore pictures. I see a little more of the scenery and landscape because I am not driving this time around.

Our lunch is near the National Park Center where there is a picnic table for us. We share with a couple from Israel.







Tuesday Feb.23th Just a swimming pool day. Beaches closed

Tues.Feb.23


I will still try to post a few pictures. It was mainly a swimming pool day but we went for dinner at Kona Brewery Restaurant. Good ales and good pizza. Adrienne and I had the usual Pele's Own spicy pizza. The red ale for her and a nice porter for myself.

Feb.22 (Monday) looking for Kua Bay

Feb.22


Not too many adventures on this day. It was quite a full day car trip yesterday to Waimea around the Kohala Mountain range back to Waimea the Brewhaus and then back home.
The afternoon gave us a chance to look for a different swimming beach around Kua Bay. It was advertised in the West Hawaii newspaper as one of the best TripAdviser beaches in the world. Not that it was marked very well on the main highway. We checked one very interesting and beautiful beach which was guarded by a gated community. They have to allow access, of course, and when you finally get down to the beach you may see it is very worth while.
It is the most wavy day since we have been here. Swimming for others, not us, is only in secluded coves. The surf is blasting away at the Sheraton Hotel as we return back to our condo. We have stopped at the Scenic View lookout just above Keauhou Bay. The white water surf is even around the back side of the Sheraton.
Nevertheless another good part was stopping at Honaunau Beach...I think that is the name. That is where the turtles come out onto the shore at high tide. Today's high tide at 4pm turns out to be an extra high one. And there are Hawaiian sea turtles galore.
So many pictures of surf and turtles today.

Feb.20 and Feb 21 a trip to Waimea and a BrewHaus

February 20th is a Saturday


Even though one is retired I do notice that it may be important to pay attention to which day of the week it is. The main event today might be a morning market day. A chance for local food growers to sell their fruit, coffee and other bakery goods.
Like usual I do my early morning walk. This time in the uphill direction to where the tour boats are moored. Often I head to surfers' beach. Again a perfectly gorgeous day and I have time to go up to Keauhou Shopping Centre not far out of the way. There is a Saturday market so I take a pictue or two but do not make any purchases. The others are sure to follow later and buy the Hawaiian fruit that we wish to indulge in.
Sounds like a pretty boring day but thus is paradise. Reading on the lanai and cross-word puzzles is about the sum of it. We actually do go to the pool and have another fantastic dinner but A. and I needed a rest day after Friday's climbing Mauna Kea. She got all the way to the top of the highest mountain in the pacific.
Adrienne and Jean made the special fish with macadamia nuts-panko covered recipe again today. Yes, there are many ingredients such as butter, lime juice, coriander and so on and finally the fish is served on a bed of sweet mango tomato salsa with rice as a side.
Good dinner.
Ooops, this photo is from Feb.19th

February 21 is a Sunday.......Going to Waimea and a BrewHaus

Finally some self portraits. No selfie sticks were used.

The Fab Four went on a day long tour on towards the North-East part of Hawaii. We circled around an area called Kohala. Mainly because the oldest mountain Kohala is easily accessed such that we can drive along the ridges it provides. Very stunning views from on top of these Kohala Mountain ridges because we can see at least 3 Hawaii mountains in the distance. And the Pacific coast down below.

The lunch at Big Island BrewHaus seems to be to everyone's satisfaction. A lot of the dishes are in the Tex-Mex or Mexican style. Adrienne has a quesadilla and I have a fresh fish special. The large Taco shell is sitting on a small bed of rice and the hill of Tex-Mex ingredients including guacamole, mayo, tomato, fish and so on. It is quite a creative invention. I like to trust the chef or the different chefs when they have a special. For quaffing, I have the sampler of 5 of their ales. Adrienne has the Red Giant ale which has the right kind of bitter and hoppiness she likes.

Feb.18th and on Feb.19th Girls go to Top of Mauna Kea

Feb.18th.....continued from last Blog


This is Thursday and yes we three (Kim and Jean and I) went snorkelling at Kahaluu Beach. We went around 11am since high tide was around noon.
Again many fishes to see. The water is so clear once you get away from the main entrance traffic of newbie swimmers. The current is not as strong as the day before so it was easier for me to go a little further. The coral "canyons" also deserve so much attention. All shapes and sizes. Fish swimming in and out all the timed. This time I saw a large school of swim lazily going from coral outcrop to coral outcrop. I had to check with the educational volunteers who always display photos of the most common fish species.
So I am so tired I do not have to go to the pool with the other three. Dinner is pasta with Jean's spaghetti sauce. Very good. Kim and I split a bottle of Shiraz from Jacob's Creek's.




Feb.19th....Girls go to Top of Mauna Kea


In response to a big tourism day for Adrienne and Jean we are very inactive in the morning. Being ocean-side often lends itself to taking it easy. The usual small birds approach the lenai so we can be amused by these alone. And the ocean is beautiful.
Kim and I drop of Adrienne and Jean for their trip to the heights of Mauna Kea. To spend our time, Kim and I start by walking along Turtle Beach. I call it that because I would have to look up the Hawaiian name of this trail and beach park just north of Kailua Kona. Yes, we are lucky to be at the hugh tide mark and many Hawaiian Sea turtles are coming in to shore. One of them is taking his time. Waiting for the right wave to push him further over the rocky lava shore. Some turtles have climbed up very far on a sandy swimming beach area. One of them seems to be looking to go as far as possible...maybe to lay some eggs some time. Usually I think they do this at a high tide in the middle of the night.
Tennis...Kim and I play 30 minutes of tennis. Not too bad. The courts are very rubbery which is good for the feet. The tennis ball reacts a little different on this surface. It is a little hard to get used to it.
For dinner I drive us to the Fish Bowl Restaurant. Although this is mainly a take-out place. The fish they are serving is Ahi. The Ahi fish is a generous portion fried with a panko coating. Our order (each) also includes brown rice a small but delicious side of seaweed cut into tiny ribbons.
Next, Kim and I have to stop at the Rebel Kitchen on the way back to the condo. We each quaff a pint of local Porter beer. It comes from a brewery in Waimea I believe. Since we engage the waitress in a long conversation, she says she grew up in this very area. She is telling us about a young girl's growing up and getting into trouble sometimes.
Off to get Adrienne and Jean from their mountain journey.

Feb.16,17,18 at the Racquet Club

February 16....First full day back at Racquet Club


Yesterday was Volcano Day and we arrived pretty late to our new digs. It is a unit which is ocean front. This allows for constant or at least serious viewing just sitting on the lanai.
Today is Tuesday Feb.16.
I am lucky not to have to go shopping today at Costco and KTA grocery store. Adrienne and Jean and Kim are gone quite a while to make sure many of the food supplies for the next two weeks will be at hand.
Fortunately in staying back at the condo unit, the whale action really started up. I  had planned to go walking around or scouting the neighbourhood when spouts of mist appeared over the Pacific. Yes I had to check closely that it was pairs of whales. The unit two floors above were also whale watching so it was easy to pay attention when someone caught sight of some. Also, the whales were in fairly close. Maybe a kilometer or so. Then I saw a pair of whales further on where one was just spouting water And the other was showing off by fin slapping repeatedly. Very memorable.
So this was my "day off". No driving, for example. I took my usual morning walk to the surfers' beach and then I took a late afternoon walk to Keahou Bay where all the tour boats are harboured. I saw our boat from Captain Cook's voyage come back with an excessive, about 30 passengers aboard. It is good that we went on the morning trip to Captain Cook because the afternoon trip seems very crowded.
Kim and I have delicious leftovers. The soba noodles with Adrienne's stir fry put together from about 4 or 5 days ago but it was still just as good.


February 17......My turn to take us to Kahaluu snorkelling beach


So today is Kim's day off from driving the car. I take Adrienne and Jean and myself to the snorkelling beach. The weather is very pleasant...of course...and we are just before the high tide mark.
For me it is always different since I am such a novice. The underwater world is amazing to behold. Adrienne is enjoying the water as well and it takes a bit of carefully stepping to get into the water and out of the water.
This is Wednesday which means the Huge Cruise Boat is in the Kailua harbour. Cruise people will be amongst the newbie snorkelers. In spite of "overcrowding" this is still a number one swimming area. I talk to a volunteer lady at a fishes demonstration station. Adrienne and Jean join to relate our experiences with the Hawaiian fish. Volunteers, she says, often ask and advise swimmers to not walk on the coral but the odd, yes very odd person could not care less.
So it is a fairly complete day even if it is only an hour or a ittle bit more of being in the ocean. The afternoon has a little bit of rain, not much, and we do not go to th pol.
Dinner is a treat because we have bottle  of Margeaux to go with lamb chops, Greek salad, beans and pineapple for dessert.


Feb.18th, Thursday


Early morning walk. A good long one to the tour boats anchorage harbour. The tour boats do not dock during the night but go to anchor within the bay. For security it is best to have the boats away from the dock. Also the dock is only so big and cannot accommodate all boats at once.
Looks like a nice day. It is 10am as I am writing but I think we are going for a snorkel.

Photos Feb.15,16,17 Back at Keahou Kona Second Visit

Some photos.....1) The bay nearby where tour boats dock.

Sunset from KKSR Club lanai

A little bird coming up to my feet...

Pictures...Feb.14,15....Hilo et al

Some photos....

Pictures Feb.14 and Feb.15...Hilo et al

Some new photos

Feb.14 and 15 going to Hilo and doing Kiluau Volcano

Feb.14...Going to Hilo


Sunday Feb.14 was our in between day for two separate rentals at the Surf and Racquet Club. It turns out the weather forecast was in our favour and the reality was every good as predicted. Mostly sunny and the atmosphere is very clear.
So we started early enough at 9am and took the highway towards Waimea and then we head on the famous Saddle Road the one between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Both volcanoes are very clear and picturesque. I think Mauna Kohala is the smaller mountain on the very north of Hawaii. This drive is so wonderful it completely changes the way we think about crossing the Big Island. Mainly because this might have been the perfect viewing day. The Saddle Road has been much improved.
In Hilo not too many touristy things like museums are even open. So we head towards our favourite botanical gardens just north of Hilo. And not too far away is What's Shaking Restaurant. We all have a fish wrap with plenty of vegies and fruit on the side. A good lunch before we go garden walking.
Since it is such a clear day the botanical garden is even more beautiful to behold. The trees, plants and topography lend itself to an unusually complete floral-plant-trees experience.
In Hilo we stay with Alan and Penne at Aaron's Cottage. It is a B+B with separate rooms so that the outdoor spaces and kitchen can be used communally. Alan is a guy who likes to have a good chat with his guests and compare notes how other countries work.
Supper is at Hilo Bay Café. It is Feb. 14th and the restaurant s full of couples. Adrienne orders the special pork on sweet potato chips nachos style and then Fish and Chips for her main. I have an eggplant vegie custard entrée. The custard was a herbed mashed potato topping on a very succulent creamy eggplant gathering. All swimming in specially made tomato puree and a stream of liquid spinach. My main was also Fish and Chips and was also very good. For dessert I had 3 scopes of blueberry ice cream. A. had 3 scopes of mango sorbet.




Feb.15th......Kilauea Volcano day


Leaving Hilo but first we visit the Japanese Garden right on the Hilo Bay harbour. And only for a few minutes just to take more pictures.
One part of the Kilauea Volcano is close to Hilo. A. and Jean always wanted to take the Hilo approach. We did not get close to Mister Kilauea from this side....but our stop at Lava Tree Park. These pillars of lava were created in the 1600's apparently when lava surrounded some very big trees and immortalized then for some years to come. The loop around these lava trees is definitely worth a trip by themselves.
When entering the Kilauea Volcano National Park we again had so much to see. We went on an extra long detour 9miles across the lower part of the park. A one lane road. Be careful of traffic going the other way. Kim has to drive. No way for me. The picnicking was free style from food we are carrying from Kona to Hilo and back to Kona in our ice container. It is very windy And we are having a good lunch.
The main Kilauea caldera was smoking quite a bit when we got around to it. Photos were easy to take. The air around the park itself had never revealed itself so brightly before. One could definely see for 25 miles to the furthest edges of Mauna Loa.
Late drive back was a bit hard. I have done this before. The last part towards our destination of Kielua Kona is in the dark and the road is very curvy. But we get where we have to go.
Rebel Restaurant is our supper place. A. has a very big Rebel Burger and Red Ale. I have an Ono Burger with a Porter. The girls insist we go for gelato. I think it is GySea Gelato is the name. A. and I had a chocolate scoop and a scoop of mint chocolate.
Long day.

Photos from Hawaii February 11-12

Some random photos

February 11 and 12.....Picnic Lunch at Puuhonua

Feb.11, 2016


Another day to go over to Puuhonua National Park. Only myself, and Jean and Kim are going. Adrienne is staying back at number 24, KKSRC to try some writing. Jean wants to snorkel at 2-step beach. This is just outside the regular National Park. There are many swimmers and snorkelers there in what I seem to believe some native Hawaii people as well.
I go walking around a bit to see the sites. The sacred site which is called Puuhonua O Honaunau has plenty of history to tell. The Ali'i were the leaders and they had very extra priviledges. They had  heiau built for ceremonial purposes. The practice of kapu meant the regular Hawaiians were to obey a strict code. ( A type of religious oligarchy.)
Lunch was a picnic lunch looking over the ocean. We had seen dolphins swimming here 3 years ago but it was not to be this time.




Feb.12, Friday.......New Beach?


First walk was again at 7am. The usual over to the surfing beach and back. Oh yes, I now remember the beach by name Kahaluu Beach famous for snorkelling. In fact this is called the Keahou Kahaluu corridor just above Keahou Bay.
Walk number two I decide at 10am to scoot over to a neighbouring beach south of our digs. It turns out it was only 20 minutes one way. The walk takes you by a golf course and the roadway is set between two large resorts. And officially the beach I am going to is called a private beach. Therefore it is not on all the guide books. Nevertheless access to the waterfront cannot be denied. Individuals are parked all over the place to go into the water. But it is not too busy.
I only convince Jean and Kim to try the new swimming beach. I find it pretty easy. The water is a bit shallow but snorkelling is very easy going. Jean did not like it.
Pool at about 3pm. Adrienne cooks a great dinner with all vegies in the fridge. And leftover chicken, calamari and half of a jar of mango-orange salsa. Good combinations. The wine is a Alamos Malbec.

Pictures from Big Island.....February 9 and 10 , 2016

February 10 and 11....Recovering from Snorkelling

February 10.....after Captain Cook and Wednesday  is a market day


Yes, Adrienne and I are going to take it easy today. The Captain Cook memorial snorkelling took some energy out of me for sure.
What I forget in writing the blog for Feb.9th was that we saw two whales on our snorkelling trip as well. The captain was a little surprised and stopped the boat and these whales went very close to our boat and all the other kayaks and swimmers around us. Then, just about the same time, some schools of dolphins entered the area. probably curious about what these crazy humans are up to.
When we all reached consciousness about 10 or 10:30am we thought about heading to a small market at the Sheraton Hotel not too far away. Not all markets allow crafts and food to go in one market. So Adrienne and Jean took the opportunity to buy some nice jewelry and some nice tops.
A very unbusy day which is okay but the women got the goods. They had to go back to the market the second time after lunch to pick up their jewelry and Adrienne bought one more necklace very in the local style of putting something nice together.
Pool at 3pm....I think I did not even go this time. Too tired.




February 11.......still recovering and dinner at Keei Café


I do not think I have missed a morning walk. So again at 7am or thereabouts I head always in the direction of Kahaluu Beach (the snorkel place). Sometimes I take the road direction back and forth and sometimes I start on the beach area and work through the deserted property next door and take the road back. Often I get to see the early morning surfer nuts.
All day, just about, Adrienne and I do nothing but sit around. That's okay. The main activity is pool at 3pm or so. Very refreshing.
Our reservation is at Keei Café about 8 km. from our unit. We arrive early. No problem. I order the appetizer of 5 Egg Plant Rolls. Shared with Adrienne and Jean they are delicious.
Kim and I order the Catch of the Day (Ahai). Adrienne and Jean order the duck confit dinner. All is well. And we all order mango cobbler.
And the view of   the sun setting is also pretty good. The bottle of wine is from Norton Winery in Argentina and yes it is a malbec.

Feb.6 and Feb.7, 8 , 9 and we go to Captain Cook's

Feb. 6 it must be Saturday.


Oh yes, I think I finally remember this day. Trying to do a "daily blog" every 4 days is not so easy.


On Saturdays there is a farmer's market in our favourite Keauhou Centre Shopping area. There are mostly coffee vendors but also fruit vendors. You can imagine Hawaiians picking fruit in their own back yard and some families having a small fruit farming business. The girls select some very interesting locals. The spiked yellow fruit is called a dragon fruit, I believe. The other beige brown fruit I do not know but it tasted could when we had dessert.
Now I recall that 3 of us finally played a bit of tennis. The courts here are "soft and spongey". It is easy on the feet so you have to see how the ball bounces a bit differently.




Feb. 7..This is Super Bowl Sunday


Football does not play a big part in island life. Most here at Keauhou Kona Surf and Racquet Club would rather do anything but watch pro football. I am allowed to watch a little. The sound is off which is my preference as well. Not that one could watch the whole stupid game. I watched some of the first half. Went to the pool with everyone. The pool is always so refreshing. And back to watch the final quarter. A good defensive (?) Super Bowl. The better defense won, I guess.


This is the famous fish + macadamia nuts recipe evening. A steelhead fish of suitable dimension for 4 hungry people was already purchased a while ago at Costco. Adrienne adapted an internet recipe for the macadamia-panko crust. Butter, lime juice and other secret ingredients were also part of gourmet fish menu. Salad is the vegie complement and pineapple is for dessert.


Feb. 8 going to the dolphin beach


The National Park below the town of Captain Cook is a historic Hawaiian area. Very large fish enclosures were constructed many years ago. The documentation at the site also pleads that this was a place of peace and refuge. Some archeological findings are reported. Wood statuary is shown as a continuation of Hawaii's past and present.
Of course, we went to the further, by 400meters, dolphin beach. Called that by myself because we saw so many dolphins dancing 3 years ago. The real name for this National Park is a long Hawaiian one which I have to look up all the time. Still we had a picnic lunch by the Pacific Ocean, on a beautiful day, having a very lovely time.
I'll have to check with a map of Big Island if I ever wish to connect the exact locations with the exact Hawaiian names. At least I know Mauna Kea from Mauna Loa this time.




Feb. 9, 2016 Going to the Captain Cook snorkelling site


The day has finally arrived  for our big snorkelling day. The company is called Sea Paradise. The boat is called Hokuhele. (Probably "good sailing"). In fact it is a smaller catamaran sailing vessel. The Captain id Dominique and the crew is Vickie. And they are very helpful. They gave Adrienne special assistance and made sure everyone was in their comfort level.
The boat was leaving about 8:30am and there was only 12 passengers. At least two or three individuals were expert snorkelers. Naturally they had their own fins, masks and special photography equipment. Also they had pretty good tans.
The Captain explained that another boat of about 80 people were getting off in a few minutes, so we had go get going at an eastern end and then head along the shore to the western, outer part of the corals. The masks and snorkels provided by the company were very adequate for me a newbie. The prescription lens was set at 4.5 was just about okay. A little bit of adjustment and I could go for about 50 to 60 minutes.
So much to see. The coral itself is so fascinating in itself and then to see schools of fishes everywhere. At our other local, smaller snorkelling beach there is not the plentitude of fishes here. So I saw more schooling fish than I have seen in a long time. Silver-coloured fish were schooling and I estimated about 100 to 120 of them. In the calm near coastal part of the corals.
So the first swim out was relaxed and trying to do most of the first pass-by before taking a break. The only difficulty one has snorkelling is that around the Captain Cook monument newbies did not look out were they were going. One ran right over me with a cheater floatation board. I was not deterred. Too many good sights to behold. Yes, I wish I had better photography equipment but Adrienne and I often times just want to be in the moment. Do not look back.
The Captain and crew took sail and said we were to be encouraged to try one more swim. They put up the sails and sailed around for 20 minutes to show off their vessel.
The last 25 minute swim just gave me and others a chance to see a little more. Maybe two kinds of trumpet fish. Tiny marlin fingerlings swimming near the surface. Seeing again the wonderful world that is just below the ocean's surface.
I am writing tis before we go to Kona Brewery for supper. It is a very famed pizza and brew restaurant. So it is quite a gala day for us.
Snorkelling near Captain's Cook monument is therefore in the books as one of the highlights of the trip. Is this our last Hawaiian adventure? Nobody knows.

Febryary 3,2016....Jean's Birthday AND Feb. 4 and Feb.5.

Still in Keauhou Kona Surf and Racquet Club


Since we have all four been at this location before on Big Island it is a question of priorities and getting to places everyone wants to go.
The plan today is to go to the North part of Hawaii. Places like Kahala and Hawi and that magnificent valley we overlook when we get to the highway dead end. A good day for it also. Very clear. Hale-akala on Maui is very visible. Along the way back from the dead end we stop in to as many side roads towards the ocean as we can. Spenser Beach looks good for future swimming.
Of course, we stop for picnic lunch along the way back. It is one of the best places to spot whales. They were breaching farther out but they were very visible. Many guidebooks say this is the optimum place for whale watching.
Briefly we look in on high class resorts such as Mauna Lani.We do not see much since we would have to park and walk around the hotel.
The dinner is at Sammy Choy's. This restaurant is high up from KKSRC. The view is excellent for looking at the sunset. Kim and I have the Three Fish Dinner. Jean and Adrienne have the excellent rack of lamb. Adrienne and Jean and I have a calamari appetizer.
Pretty good day.


Thursday Feb.4th Where does the time go(?)


Okay Adrienne and I finally go for a snorkelling spell. Leaving about 10:30am was pretty good timing. The high tide mark was supposed to be around 12:30. This way the main currents are still coming into the secluded bay.
What a delight to be as one with the ocean. Snorkelling is so relaxing that you simply go with the flow. Stop whenever you see interesting fishes and corals. The Keauhou Bay has many shallow channels where fish like to hunt around for tidbits of sustenance.
But the whole under the sea experience is so wonderful. A completely different world just below the water line. I was thinking the other day of whales breaching to see what was in our airy world and this time we snorkelers are entering the whale world.
Quite a workout as well. Since we wish to see as much as possible we probably swim around for about one hour and a half while taking some rests.
Back at the "house" we have a quick lunch before heading for the resort pool. This is can afternoon event we enjoy because it so laid back. Swim around or do nothing while enjoying life in the slow lane.
Adrienne's turn to do dinner. Rice-a-Roni with all the extras: broccoli, shrimp, calamari, tomatoes and onions and so  on. Everything is good. Served with a Lindeman's Cab Sauvignon. A bowl of pineapple for dessert. Wow.




Friday Feb. 5th.....Going to Spenser Beach


Since we spotted this area 2 days ago we thought this would be a good day for trying it. The surf was predicted as calm on this side of Hawaii and indeed it was calm at Spenser.
Not many people at the beach? Clearly on weekends there will  be a steady influx of families and friends. We noticed only 5% of the parking spaces taken up. Very few people in the water. Most visitors just sitting back in the sunshine or in the shade.
The Spenser Beach also includes a perfect spot for having a lunch. It is in the covered community building where the rest and change rooms are. Also, it is easy to look out from this building to the rocks and sea shore below. Adrienne and Jean and Kim were seen spotting different fishes going in and near the tide channels.
Lunch was on our own today. I had only the two salami flat bread sandwiches and it hit the spot. The people we ran into were all having a good time on a beautiful day such as this. A day to write home about.
Adrienne was in the water for about an hour and a half. Way past my 40 minute max.(?) However, just before coming out of the water she stepped on a sea urchin. A lady with a water board helped get the urchin spins out of her toes. That was number one. At home we would have to look up on the google what to do.
Epson salts and vinegar was the chosen recommendation. Even at the pharmacy, the person said Epson salts alone was the best treatment. Okay, Adrienne soak away in your extremely hot water bath of Epson salts. Sometimes life throws you a curve ball.
Still we are very positive. Many adventures. Many adventures to come.

February 2......2016 at Keauhou Kona Surf and Raquet Club

A very relaxing day for Adrienne and myself. Jean and Kim go out to the snorkeling beach. Since they walk over it must take them the better part of the morning.
For myself, I took an early morning walk to the beach and back around 7am. And then a second walk to the grocery store to get a broccoli and snow peas for tonight's dinner.
Adrienne and Jean and I go for swimming in the pool at about 3pm.

January 30, 31, Feb.1...Going to Kailua-Kona

January 30th continued.


The four of us thought we were going to Hawaii today. The flight was first set for 5:35pm and we went to the airport early after having a Dim Sum brunch.
At first they delayed to 6:20pm and then to 7:00pm AND we knew this meant trouble. If a plane does not get off the ground a new flight crew might have to be engaged. But the plane had no idea of taking off regardless. So all almost passengers were either sent home or with vouchers to nearby hotels. Nobody was particularly happy but nobody wanted to fly with a deficiency in the air.
Our hotel was Hotel Sandman about 15 minutes away from the airport. It was still a bit early (8:30pm) so that we could still enjoy a meal at CHAP Restaurant at the Hotel. Crab cakes and huge salad for Adrienne. Lovely herbal soup and ravioli for me.
Hopefully the next day would be better for flying.




January 31st


The wake-up call was for 5:00am. And it was right on time. Adrienne and I had to scramble to get awakened and off to a taxi for the airport. Making the airport in record time at about 5:33am we thought we would have enough time. The Air Canada people were a little bit slow with the wheel chair assistance. Finally they arrived and it meant quickly getting through security and then through customs. The flight departure was changed from 8am to 8:20am.
I indulged in the biggest cinnamon bun one can imagine. Most of us anxious passengers were eager to get to our Hawaii destination. Free food and beverages offered on the flight.
Kailua-Kona is the name of the city we are heading to. The name Kona is easiest for people to remember. Also with the famous Kona coffee.
So Big Island time is 2:30pm when we are getting our big car rental. A huge SUV because we have much luggage to carry with us.
Adrienne and Jean and Kim are doing the big Costco shopping. The store is on the way to our residence anyway so it does not beg for a separate trip. I sit outside watching the various characters who are the shoppers at this Costco.
First meal at Keauhou Kona Surf and Tennis Resort is lamb chops and scrumptious salad. The wine is a Malbec.


February  1st


Adrienne and I are awakened at 6:00am because an alarm device had not been changed. A complicated enough "modernistic" unit that I wanted to throw in the ocean. It does not easily related to previous waking-up devices.
My first early walk at 7am. The day is just beginning. The full sunlight cannot appear for a while because we are on the west side of Hawaii and it takes the sun a while to climb over Mauna Kea. It is the dry side of the island and the sunsets from our ocean locations can be breath taking.
I help Adrienne and Jean get to the WPA big grocery store for more shopping. Still they have to get more things at Long's Drugs. This is a gigantic all-purpose pharmacy but mainly other things.
A quick lunch and everyone is going poolside. The refreshing waters are good for everybody. Some of the pool goers seem like they live here semi-permanently.
Hope to settle even more into our new digs.