Aloha !

We have arrived in Hawaii - our final destination before we reluctantly commence our long return journey.The flight has been a long one (I was fortunate enough to have the company of a traveller with "restless leg syndrome" directly behind me, with the person ahead of me constantly fiddling with the angle of her seat, ensuring that my tray table was not stationary for a period exceeding 15 minutes for the entire duration of the flight !). To add to this, my neighbour in the seat beside me decided that she had lost the use of her legs for the duration of the flight (perhaps it was some strange effect of the altitude on her circulation.......or maybe she was just being awkward !?), meaning that I had to contort myself into impossible positions (& I am a "black belt" at dynamic yoga) to clamber over her to visit the restrooms. A task was made increasingly difficult as I didn't commenced my journey until it was absolutely necessary, meaning that I had to conduct this activity with a full bladder.

Throughout our travels we have become familiar with a number of airports, however nothing quite like Hawaii Airport. On safely landing the plane, the Pilot doesn't bother with the usual "taxi-ing" to the terminal building, he simply puts on the hand-brake and abandons the plane. He then advises us to turn left once we're out of the plane & keep walking until we are directed to baggage claim. You will be pleased to know that I employed an enhanced Green Cross Code (look left, look right, look left again, look up & then proceed safely across the runway - I knew my 'Tufty Club Membership' would come in handy !) on my walk across the runway. Despite the fact that it is 10pm, the weather is fantastic. The Airport Building consists of several open sided (& open roofed) huts which do not appear to be connected in any way.

We retrieve our baggage and organise a taxi-shuttle to our apartment - we are the last flight into the airport for the day & the entire airport is getting ready to close for the night. The place is practically deserted by the time we are safely in our taxi. Our first views of Kona are in darkness, however we do get a glimpse of the ocean crashing against the sea-walls along the coast & there are signs of a number of pubs & restuarants which we intend to investigate in greater depth throughout the course of the coming week.

We wake on our first morning in Hawaii to be greeted by glorious sunshine (I kinda saw that coming) and pack a few essentials into our bag (towell, trunks & book - that's me ready !). Whilst completing the checking-in process, I am advised of a free shuttle bus which runs the length of Ali'i Drive - this will be 'just the job' to enable us to visit a number of the snorkelling bays & beaches.I am advised by a fellow guest that Captain Cook's Monument is a fantastic spot for snorkelling and we agree to ensure that a trip to this location is incorporated into our time on the Island.

Our plans are for a relaxing first day, in order to recover from our long flight & to allow our bodies to adjust to a further change to the time zone - we are now 10 hours behind you. We take a stroll into Town with the Pier being our intended destination, in order to pick up the Shuttle Bus to a beach. We are 'distracted' along our route as we can not resist visits to a number of the cafes, restuarants, galleries, jewellers & gift shops. It is not possible for a quick visit to any of the stores, as every proprietor insists on taking the time to engage in conversation providing information regarding places to go, sights to see & historical facts about this beautiful island. The locals are incredibly friendly & welcoming to us and it is clear that they have a great pride in their home. We book ourselves onto a number of tours to keep us entertained during our time in Hawaii (including a Helicopter Flight, a Boat Trip including Snorkelling and a Poynesian Luau night - the surf lessons and Cave jumping have been put "on hold" for now)

In addition to the variety of strores & shopkeepers we encounter on our walk to the Pier, we have the most fantastic Ocean views, with the white crested waves cascading over the black volcanic boulders which form the shore-line. The skyline above & behind the shops incorporates a Volcano (Mona Laya), with rainforest situated on the 'bank' of the mountain. Despite the high temperatures, the land is extremely "lush" with the climate being a favourable one for healthy growth of many forms of plants & trees. I am completely over-awed by the beauty of this place - I am stopping every 2 paces or so in order to point out some sight or other (the 'blueness' of the sea; the clarity of the water; the colors & brightness of the exotic flowers (which grow like weeds);the jumping crabs on the volcanic rocks etc.).

Eventually we arrive at the Pier, followed a little later by the Shuttlebus. We have agreed on Kahalua as our first beach destination.I am like an over-excited kid on his first visit to the beach & am now desperate to get into the sea - Rachael settles on the beach & I head off into the Ocean. After about 3 paces into the sea (I am only up to my shins), I am amazed to notice several brightly colored varieties of fish. I rush back to share this with Rachael (I think she was appreciative of the interruption - it was a real discovery "Really Tony, there are fish in the sea !?") & head off to buy a snorkel, mask & fins from a beach vendor. I was not a picture of style, grace & elegance as I clambered clumsily across the rocks back into the water - I didn't fall over until I was knee-deep in water (which means I sucessfully managed about 6 steps !).

The water is crystal clear and is a refreshing & comfortable temperature. I am surrounded by a huge variety of multi-colored fish & coral and go a little "camera crazy" - I'm sure you'll be busily attempting to identify the various makes & models of fish in the photos. After about 40 minutes in the sea, I decide that Rachael must be missing me & I turn about to return to shore. As I am gliding in (see - I'm gracefull once I'm in the water !), I become aware of a huge shadow beneath me & to my right - it's a sea turtle. This is swimming so close to me that I have to actually change my direction in order to avoid a collision - just when I had become temporarily calm & accustomed to my surroundings this pesky sea-turle arrives to get me mega-hyped up again !

I last approximately 10 minutes ashore before I can no longer resist the urge to return to the ocean (leaving the flippers behind & remembering to put the camera into "underwater mode" this time - ooops !). I decide to venture along the shore-line & to re-enter the shore again at the next bay.................the lifeguard on duty has other ideas !! Whilst I have been snorkelling across the bay I was oblivious to the his attempts to attract my attention & advise me not to leave the water in this bay (aparently the volcanic rocks are razor sharp near the shore-line & the waves are now picking up !). It wasn't my fault - another one of those pesky sea-turtles had made an appearance & was leading me astray ! I return to Kahalau Bay (& Rachael on the beach) and make a safe exit from the Ocean.

We jump the shuttle bus and have the benefit of Emma (12) and Ben (10) as Guest Holiday Reps - they have recently re-located to the Island and fill us in on places to eat, beaches to visit & tours to attend. We depart the bus at the local shops - I play keepie uppie (I managed 17 !) in the parking lot with Emma & Ben whilst Rachael buys some essentials (bread, bacon & coffee). For the duration of the return bus journey to the Kona Reef Emma continues her interrogation of our travels to date & details of our home.....................and I thought that Rachael could talk (& talk & talk & talk !).

Early night is required - we have a 6:15am pick-up for our morning helicopter ride the following day. We'll fill you in on that over the next couple of days.

Until then - Aloha !

Rachael & Tony