Adventures in Paradise, day three

Pete Wass

Pete Wass

Well-known member
Well, She Who Must be Obeyed decided that it might be good to spend her BD and Thanksgiving in Paradise this year so we booked a trip to the Big Island. We flew to San Fransisco on Sunday last and on to Kona on Monday,

We arrived at noonish to find the usual boring 87* and a moderate Trade Wind blowing the bulk of the humidity away. We picked up our rental car and drove to the Condo we are renting for the week, damn nice one, I must say. We "Hung Loose" Monday evening, dining in a little café in the strip mall just a few steps away.

Tuesday we drove down to the Kona Coffee region and toured some of the sights there. The most interesting was a visit to one of the 100 + Estate Plantations. This one is 10 acres, 5 of coffee and 5 of Macadamia Nuts. This plantation, which uses the brand name Lion, is a family endeavor, consisting of an elderly Mon & Pop and offspring. I am saying elderly because they appeared to be older then we are. The Mistress of the ops said her daughter did the processing and a son, who was working among the trees, notified her of our presence. Some interesting notes; each tree only produces 1.5 lb of coffee each year and most of the process is done manually. No wonder 100% Kona is so expensive, eh?

Today we toured the NW section of the Island and fell in love with the town of Kapaau. Kapaau is a town of something over 6K souls. It has some of the neatest old buildings and bungalows dating back to Sugar Cane days. The little town is full now of Folks from Away, as some call them in Maine. At the end of the road there is the Pololu Look Out which is a few hundred feet above a beautiful black sand beach, simply stunning.


Tomorrow is Volcano National Park. Heck of a way to avoid Turkey Day, eh?
 
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Same to you Steve

I made my favorite breakfast this morning, Stouffer's Creamed Chipped Beef on some luscious multi-grained Island Bread with OJ and Kona Coffee :cool: We are about to launch for the day. It's nice to be in an exotic place where they speak English and take American Money :D. Aloaha
 
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Pete, glad you're having a good time. For some reason I thought you were going to England! Much better choice!
Keith
 
Hey keith

linekin said:
Pete, glad you're having a good time. For some reason I thought you were going to England! Much better choice!
Keith
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Yes, indeed, this is a much better choice. If only they had some Rimfire Matches over here, this wouldn't be a bad place to wait to die ;). Wouldn't it be a nice place for a Nationals?

We spent the night last night @ the Hotel in Volcano National Park. Not a bad place a tall. Watched Pele' while we et our Turkey Day Dinner around 8:00 PM. The meal was passable fare for a National Park Restaurant. The best part of the whole deal here is the Kona Coffee though.
 
The Soccor Guy?

Pete Wass said:
Yes, indeed, this is a much better choice. If only they had some Rimfire Matches over here, this wouldn't be a bad place to wait to die ;). Wouldn't it be a nice place for a Nationals?

We spent the night last night @ the Hotel in Volcano National Park. Not a bad place a tall. Watched Pele' while we et our Turkey Day Dinner around 8:00 PM. The meal was passable fare for a National Park Restaurant. The best part of the whole deal here is the Kona Coffee though.
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Pele' the soccor guy?? Didn't figure you'd be into that too! Isn't he 'bout your age? (no offense meant!) Can't be. Must be a volcano or something?
As far as the nationals go I'm a long ways from there! Unless ofcourse their in Augusta!
Keith
 
Pele

linekin said:
Pele' the soccor guy?? Didn't figure you'd be into that too! Isn't he 'bout your age? (no offense meant!) Can't be. Must be a volcano or something?
As far as the nationals go I'm a long ways from there! Unless ofcourse their in Augusta!
Keith
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In Hawaii is the Goddess of Fire who lives underground. At the Volcano, she shows a glow at dusk and continues to glow at differing intensity during the night.
 
It's Over!

I arrived back here in Maine this evening around 5:00 PM. We had a close call making our connection in Detroit but got to Ct last night on time. I drove up today and only saw snow on the ground in central Maine. Interestingly enough, I was listening to Public Radio on the way here and a former commentator on that network was being interviewed. He had recently purchased a Mac---- nut farm in the town we found to be most interesting and to our liking on the Big Island.

I have looked all over Florida for the past 4 or 5 winters for a place where I felt comfortable, relaxed and at home. I finally found it in Kapalau, Hawaii. Most beautiful and laid back place I have seen a very long time. If only I had done better in life there is no question where I would be looking to re-locate. I even got interested in the ukulele and bought two other Aloha Shirts :).

Life isn't fair ):

Pete
 
Glad you & she who MUST be obeyed had a nice time & made it back safely!
I was having hard time believing you were enjoying yourself watching Pele' kick a soccor ball around! ;) Thanks for the explanation. Sounds like a nice spot!
Keith
 
next time in the Big Island, swim with the manta rays

On the Kona side, near the Sheraton IIRC. A bay in which lights are affixed to the sea floor. At dusk, they turn the lights on, and it's like ringing a dinner bell for the manta rays, some of which are as big as a garage door (e.g. 15' across, no kidding). Google it. Quite an outing, easy logistics via short boat ride via numerous operators nearby. Manta rays come in, and are as close as you to your keyboard.
 
I saw a brochure on it Bill

Bill Ohio said:
On the Kona side, near the Sheraton IIRC. A bay in which lights are affixed to the sea floor. At dusk, they turn the lights on, and it's like ringing a dinner bell for the manta rays, some of which are as big as a garage door (e.g. 15' across, no kidding). Google it. Quite an outing, easy logistics via short boat ride via numerous operators nearby. Manta rays come in, and are as close as you to your keyboard.
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However, I have never been one who cared much for the water or swimming, etc. I learned to swim as a 50th BD present to myself but have not been in much since. I did get in just to say that I had been in the Pacific but didn't stay long. I am only a couple of weeks out of my second cataract surgery so didn't want to get water in my eyes. I noticed several glass bottom boat tours as well. Probably would enjoy that.

Pete
 
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