Tuesday, May 17 to Sunday, May 22, 2022 (Our trip to Kailua-Kona, Big Island, Hawaii - PART 1)

Tuesday (May 17) morning we were all set up in front of our laptop at 10:10 for our virtual COVID test...a Zoom call with Acculab. It was quick, easy and convenient and with the results negative (Phew!), we received official e-mail confirmation. Proof of a negative COVID test is a requirement when flying into the USA but not the land border...very odd!

We've been on pins and needles because I'd developed a cough and Steve a sore throat about a week ago. We'd been testing ourselves with the home kits and had been testing negative, however apparently they're only 80% accurate. We are flying to The Big Island, Hawaii tomorrow for a 2 week vacation! It is our 40th Wedding Anniversary and what better way to celebrate! And best of all...our friends from Alberta, Dave and Leslie, are joining us! They both had COVID the week before but are now, thankfully, testing negative as well. 

Our next hurdle were our flights with Alaska Airlines. We've been seeing reports that dozens of previous and ongoing flights have been cancelled or delayed at Sea-Tac Airport in Seattle due to staff shortages from COVID and that's where we catch our connecting flight. (Thankfully we had no issues with any of our flights 😊)

Having proof of our negative tests, we both packed our suitcases...we are heading into the Sandman Hotel Vancouver Airport this afternoon to spend the night and leave our car in the long-term parking area (15 days parking included with the accommodation rate of $206...a sweet deal!).

Dave and Leslie's flight from Edmonton arrived around 12:30 and when Les texted to say they had arrived, we headed off to meet them at the hotel. 

With big hugs...and after taking our luggage to the room...we all went to Moxie's for a beer and snack. The restaurant is located right in the hotel...how convenient is that!  Look at that big smile on my face...hardly excited! 

After Moxie's, we went up to our room to continue catching up and have a few more bevies...Steve and I brought along some beer and wine (of course, LOL!)

Dinner was back down at Moxie's...and after a nightcap in our room, we said goodnight to Dave and Leslie. An early night...as we have an early morning!

We were up Wednesday (May 18) morning at 3:30 a.m...and downstairs at 4:45 waiting for the Airport Shuttle. Check-in at the Alaska Airlines counter was quick and easy, as was getting through airport security and US Customs (yes, we go through US Customs at the Vancouver Airport).

Our 8:05 a.m. flight to Seattle was on-time and short. We had about a 2 hour layover, so we grabbed some breakfast and then took the train to "N" Gate which was in another terminal. Thank goodness Leslie happened to check with Alaska Customer Service since the departure gate on the boards indicated the wrong gate!

The flight to Kailua-Kona was just over 6 hours...and seemed to take forever! Yay, we are finally seeing land! The arrow to the right of the cruise ship is where we were staying.

We finally landed at 2:45p.m. Hawaiian time, or 5:45 BC time...we gained 3 hours, now we have to get used to that. After getting our luggage we took the shuttle over to Budget Car Rental....like lots of others, so there was quite a line up!

Eventually Dave, Leslie, and Steve (the drivers) emerged with car keys to a Kia K5, a nice car with a huge trunk and lots of leg room. With the help of a GPS, we found The Sea Village...the literature said to watch for a huge Ficus Tree. (Our car below the tree)

We were assigned room 2101 and I have never been more disappointed! I was so looking forward to spending time on the lanai with a view of the ocean, as booked...but we were ground floor, stuck back in a corner, with absolutely no view! We immediately went back to the office to ask for a different room but she said there was nothing she could do...we'd have to come back first thing in the morning to see if another room was available, and there would be a $100 charge!!! Not a good start to a 2 week vacation that we had been so looking forward to!

After a quick trip  to Safeway for adult beverages, frozen pizza and salad for dinner and some breakfast stuff, we were finally able to relax....

The Stanley Cup playoffs started tonight between two Alberta teams, the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames, duking it out for a spot in the western conference finals. Of course we are all routing for Edmonton...Dave and Leslie's home team! Unfortunately, it didn't start off well...the Oilers lost.

After a restless night, I finally decided to get up Thursday (May 19) morning at 4:40...obviously still on BC time. I also don't think I slept well because I was so upset with the condo we had been assigned to.

So at 8:30 Les and I headed up to the office to see if we could change rooms. To my surprise, they said no...I say "surprise" because I took a look at the VI (Vacation Internationale) website last night after we arrived to find that they had 2 units (both 2-bedroom) available last night...that they could easily have moved us into...and another was one available tonight! 

We ended up talking to the manager...who was the most offensive person (I'm being nice...she was a major bi$ch!) I have talked to, particularly in a vacation/resort environment! She gave all sorts of excuses...cleaning staff shortage, etc. but when we persisted, the one that particularly got me was "just because"! She was holding steadfast on her decision and after voicing a lot of displeasure with her decision, we left. Needless to say, I was totally bummed! 

But we weren't going to let it damper our vacation...we all jumped in the car.  Let the sightseeing begin! Dave suggested we start by going north...sounds good to us!

To give you an overall view of the island. Kailua-Kona is where our condo was located...

We headed north on highway 19...listening to our own personal tour guide. Dave and Leslie downloaded an app called GyPSy Guide...Discover more with our location-based audio tour app. Don’t miss a thing on your next road trip as stories, local tips and directions guide you to the best things to see and do. Our award-winning narrated audio tours play automatically, based on your GPS location. You’ll enjoy the freedom to set your own pace and tour offline, no cell or wifi signal required.

It was great! And perfect for our driving tours of The Big Island. There are tons of various tours you can purchase (the app itself is free) for places all over the world. Well worth it to find out more of the area...all sorts of tidbits of information too!

Our first stop was at Manini'owali Beach (Kua Bay). We stopped at the top of the hill going down to the beach...the white sand contrasted with the shades of blue...absolutely stunning but the picture doesn't do it justice!

Beautiful!

Thanks for the selfie Dave!

It's not beach day today, but we will definitely be returning! As a matter of fact, this ended up being our favourite snorkeling spot.

While we were checking out this beach, I missed a call from the office at Sea Village. Thankfully, Lai left a message saying that we could move to a different condo tomorrow...sweet! That definitely put me in a better mood, LOL!

Back up at the highway, we continued north to our second stop, Samuel M. Spencer Beach Park...

Located south of Kawaihae Harbor on the Big Island's northwestern coast, Spencer Beach Park offers excellent swimming and snorkeling conditions, ample shade under large native trees and a calm, friendly atmosphere. The park is named after Samuel M. Spencer, former chairman of the Hawaii County Board of Supervisors who was responsible for developing the north Kohala Coast.

Spencer Beach is one of the few white-sand beaches on the Big Island. The soft, smooth shore offers a comfortable change from the usually rocky beaches on the Big Island, making it a great picnicking spot. A long, shallow reef offshore keeps out high waves and strong currents. The water near the shore is shallow and an excellent playground for kids. Surfing is not very popular, as the water is usually calm.

It was at this point that we left highway 19 (which heads inland to Waimea) and continued north on highway 270.  Our next mission was to find a spot for lunch...we chose Bamboo Restaurant in Hawi at the tip of the Island. The building housing the restaurant and gallery has a long history...if you'd like to read about it click on this link, Story.

Leslie, Steve and I had our first Mai Tai...(the excessive humidity is causing major havoc with my hair! 😖)

...while Dave decided to just have a beer...

With our tummies full, we continued along the highway to check out the Original King Kamehameha Statue...

Kamehameha I, also known as Kamehameha the Great, was the founder and first ruler of the Kingdom of Hawaii. A great warrior, diplomat and leader, King Kamehameha I united the Hawaiian Islands into one royal kingdom in 1810 after years of conflict. Kamehameha I was destined for greatness from birth. Hawaiian legend prophesized that a light in the sky with feathers like a bird would signal the birth of a great chief. Historians believe Kamehameha was born in 1758, the year Halley’s comet passed over Hawaii.

Our final destination was at the end of the road...Pololu Valley Lookout...

The drive along Hawaii’s Akoni Pule Highway is one of the most scenic routes in the state. On one side the volcanic mountain of Mauna Loa rises steeply above you, while on the other you can gaze across the Pacific Ocean. Continue to the end of the highway to find yourself at one of Hawaii’s most dramatic vistas, the Pololū Valley Overlook.

Look across the valley’s wild cliffs to the northern coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. This corner of the island looks untainted by human settlement, and the tropical rainforest growing from the volcanic mountain is reminiscent of prehistoric times. Look down the valley to see the location for much of the 1997 film The Lost World: Jurassic Park.

There is a trail that goes down to a black sand beach and although the trail isn't long, a half mile, it is very steep. It starts at around 400 feet in elevation and switchbacks down to sea level. 

The trail is said to be of moderate difficulty but it's not for everyone. The path can be very steep in many parts and there is a very long drop if you fall off the trail. We do not recommend this for amateur hikers, families with children, or the elderly. If you have a fear of heights, skip this one for sure.

We all love hiking but it's waaaay too hot and humid for a hike today, so we all agreed to forego it...maybe another time! 😂

We returned to the junction of highway 250, just before Hawi, and took the route through Waimai back home.  This side of the island is so green and lush...a stark contrast to the lava fields on the drier west side...

This is the route we took today. Unfortunately when I zoomed out to be able to capture it on the screen, the location of the King Kamehameha Statue disappeared...it's the white dot between the Bamboo Restaurant in Hawi and the Pololu Valley Lookout...

Back home, we enjoyed a cocktail on the lanai...as you can see, nothing but a view of bushes. Looking forward to that changing tomorrow!

A gecko, better known as the Geico Insurance salesman even came by for a visit! 

Friday (May 20) morning, after spending 2 nights in unit 2101, we moved over to unit 3219 (that's in building 3, second floor...there are only 3 floors). Unfortunately they didn't waive the $100 charge. 😡 All went smoothly but OMG it was hot! So as soon as we were all unpacked, a cold beer on the lanai was in order! 

Thanks for the photo Leslie!

A much better view...Yay!

Lunch today was at Kona Brewing Co. ...

It is a popular spot, so we had a bit of a wait but it was well worth it...

After lunch, we dropped the guys off at the condo and Les and I headed out for groceries...now that we are settled, it's time to stock up! It took a lot longer than we anticipated and was extremely frustrating deciding on quick easy meals with the high food prices there. But we did it and were back home shortly after 5:00.

Unfortunately, we missed the first period of the Oilers-Flames playoff game but the outcome was good...the Oilers won!

Saturday (May 21) morning we decided to walk into town...about a mile. We would often stop at this bridge near our condo to watch the waves and surfers...

Another beach along our walk...

(Click on photo to enlarge)

It turned into a bit of a bust because it was so hot and humid that when we got into town, Leslie, Steve and I sat in the shade of an open-air coffee shop waiting as Dave ran (yes ran...he is a runner 😲) back to get the car.

After that walk, it was time for a dip in the pool...

After lunch, we went for a short drive south and then dropped Dave and Leslie off back at home while Steve and I went into town to pick up a couple of things.

We also checked out a shopping mall and a bit of Kailau-Kona...

While I was checking out some clothing stores Steve found this Banyan tree behind the mall...

Hairy looking vines hang from the top while the trunk appears to be made up from many small trunks...

Steve got this shot just before the owner came out and asked if he'd like a photo with the birds...

Old gas pumps...

Sunday (May 22) morning we found out that there had been an earthquake through the night. We both woke up just before midnight with the intense shaking...said what the heck was that, then fell right back to sleep...LOL! Later on we heard that it had been a 4.7 magnitude earthquake.

This morning we went for another little sightseeing tour...going south this time with the GyPsy Guide tour.

We stopped at Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park...

The Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park spans the shoreline of almost all of Kealakekua Bay (except the south-eastern shoreline). The most accessible part of it is on the north-eastern edge of the bay where you can find Nopo’opo’o Beach Park with a parking area, a picnic pavilion, restrooms, showers, and a water fountain.

The small beach in the park next to the pavilion is known as “Napo’opo’o Beach” and was stripped of its sand by hurricane Iniki (back in 1992). It now consists of a collection of rocks and, while not great for hanging out, it is reasonable for a quick swim and a good place for snorkeling.

Dave and Leslie have sad memories of their last visit here as they'd assisted in trying unsuccessfully to save a drowning victim at the far end of the beach...

Steve got a little wet taking this shot!

View as we drove further along the coast...

Our route this morning...

Back home, we had a bite to eat for lunch and then got ready for the hockey game at 2:00. With the heat, Dave abandoned his jersey quickly...and it was draped over the back of a dining chair.  After that, it came out for all games! Go Oilers!

We managed to watch the first 2 periods before we had to leave for our dinner reservations...but all was good, the Edmonton Oilers ended up winning!

Dave and Leslie are taking us out to a renown restaurant in Waimea for a special Anniversary Dinner. Merriman's uses only locally sourced ingredients...including island beef, pork and fresh caught fish.

Great picture of Leslie and Dave!  Awesome Mai Tai's!

All staff working...from the host, to our servers, to the bus-boys removing dishes...knew it was our
Anniversary. We were even offered a flute of Champagne to toast it...

Such a special celebration...we cannot thank you enough, Dave and Leslie! Great choice of restaurants...about an hour's drive, but well worth it!

Well, that concludes the first part of our vacation. With many pictures over a wonderful 2 weeks, we have broken our blog into 5 or so posts. Hope you enjoyed the start of our trip...stay tuned for much more!