Courtney Ann Photography

Saturday morning found us visiting not 1, but 2 farmer’s markets.  Only in a town with about 11,000 people would you have 2 markets.  I guess that’s the perk of living in paradise with weather perfect for growing fruits and veggies all year.  And exotic stuff (even to a Californian like me)!

At the 2nd farmer’s market at Parker School, while we were waiting for our fritatas to cook for breakfast from a vendor,  mom and I were busy sampling yummy jams and jellies by Honomu Jams & Jellies.  Oh.my.goodness.  I think the owner let us sample nearly everything they had.  And trust me they made a sale.  I ordered the passion fruit butter, coconut butter, and pineapple tangelo jam.  I am slowly savoring them, and will definitely be ordering more.  Or maybe I should just go back and get some…

After the farmer’s markets we went on a private tour of the offices to the Keck Observatory, grabbed our suits and headed down to the beach.  This time we went to Beach 69 (on mile marker 69), and actually we set up came right in front of the beach house that we rented during our last visit.

We then rested at the house for a bit before headed into town for dinner at the brewhouse in Waimea, the Big Island Brewhaus.  Food was Mexican-y, with a slightly healthy flair.  It was good.  The beer list is quite long.  I had the Tropo Ale (I think, couldn’t find it on their website), I do remember it was good.  I also had a margarita with lilikoi something something powder rimming on the glass.  It was good too.  After dinner we went back to the house, and crashed shortly there after.

Instagrm dump!

Today we started things the the right, more relaxed foot… at the beach.  Friday my Aunt took the day off, and she was also planning on having some friends over for a BBQ for dinner.  So we went to Mauna Kea Beach to swim, snorkel, get sand stuck between our toes, and relax.

Around 10/10:30 we parted ways, Cricket heading back into town and us heading to the northern part of the island.  We stopped on the way at the Pu’ukohola Heiau National Park.

We had a lunch destination in mind… Sushi Rock in Hawi.  And boy did their sushi rock!  I don’t remember all that my roll had in it, but I do remember it was rolled in crushed macadamia nuts.  All of their ingredients were local, as well as their wasabi.  My lilikoi margarita was really yummy too!  Then we walked around some, got some ice cream (coconut and kona coffee).  In case the town of Hawi sounds familiar to you, it’s because it’s the turn around for the biking portion of the Iron Man.

Pololu is the end of the north western road.  It was quite a bit breezy up there, but such a beautiful view!

No trip to the north end of the island is complete without a visit to the statue of King Kamehameha.  Although, last time I was there we were able to leave an offering.  I was all prepared to leave a piece of gum, like last time.  But apparently that is no longer allowed.  Oh well.

Getting ready for the return trip home.  Where we tried to use Siri for the first time.  Apparently Siri doesn’t do well without service.  Oh well…

iPhone dump!  I could really use whatever the drink was that Kevin and I shared at Mauna Kea.  Man it was good!

Our 3rd day on the island was long, but worth it.  Mom has wanted to drive around the southern point of the island for awhile, but last time we were there it was closed due to the volcano and lava.  Darn lava!  But this time it wasn’t.  So we left the house about 9am and headed towards Kona.  The plan was to get to the south point for lunch, which happened just a little later than planned.  On the way we decided to stop at a Kona coffee grower/visitor center, and Hula Daddy was right on the way.  Perfect!  Check out this view!!!  That’s looking out from the building, with the orchard below and the marina right on the water.

The gal who gave us the tour was awesome!  I think her name was Stacey.  She walked us around some trees, gave us a lesson on how the trees are grown, ideal climate, how they are harvested (for 6 months out of the year, by hand!), etc.  It was really cool!

Then we went into the roasting room where we learned about different roasts and stuff.  That was pretty cool too.  Imagine the smell…  Awww it was heaven!  We purchased some goods, and continued on our merry way.

I’ll interject right here that we also stopped at Wal-Mart.  Dad bought his now favorite book with every little tip for the island.  We also stopped just south of Kona at a Ukelele shop, and Mom bought some fabric across the street.  The drive south was beautiful, lush and then barren.  But it was also very curvy, and I think the maximum speed limit was about 40mph.

We stopped at Punalu’u Bake Shop for lunch and to stretch our legs.  Hawaiian sweet breads…  I’m wishing I had some right now!  I loved walking around the gardens.  So pretty!  That purple and white flower below, that’s on the Liliko’i  tree/bush, otherwise known as Passion Fruit.

Camera fail at the next stop.  We stopped at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach.  It was a little chilly, but super cool to see and walk on a black sand beach.  Bonus!  There were a few turtles on the beach and a few more in the water.  Gnarly Dude!  (see instagrm pictures below, at least I had my phone on me…)

Then we cruised up the coast some to Volcano National Park, home of the Kilauea volcano.

And we actually stopped at the Kilauea crater this year.  Back when it erupted in the 50′s or 60′s my Grandpa was on Oahu for work, he and some buddies chartered a plane and flew into Hilo to check it out.  My Uncle has the old 8mm film the my Grandpa had recorded.  So I of course had to get a picture of my Dad standing with Kilauea in the background.

I love my parents!  They invited Kevin and I to join them on their 35th anniversary vacation.  That’s 3 oldest children you see below.  Also, 3 Cal Poly graduates.  Go Mustangs!

Quick walk through the lava tube…  oooohhhhhhh…  Mom opted to stay in the car.

After the Volcano we drove into Hilo, where we ate dinner at a nice little Italian restaurant.  We also heard our first experience of the Coqui frog…  My oh my were they loud!  Coqui Free Waimea! (<– a little plug for my Aunt.)  After dinner we drove the last 1 1/2 hours back to the house.  Left at 9am, back about 10pm.  Or maybe it was 11pm.  Either way, it was a long but great day.

And I loved getting back to the house everyday to my Aunt who was thrilled to be “traveling” with us with all of the instagrm pictures I was posting.  And then we’d recap our days to her.  While enjoying a glass of wine. 

Every morning we would wake up early around 8:30, well early for being on vacation.  We’d have coffee with my Aunt before she headed off to work, and before we’d get the day planned and head out.  Kevin and I already had tickets to go to a luau on the 19th, so we knew we’d be spending our day in Kona.  Mom and Dad were going to putz around and have dinner then pick us up, but they decided that day that they’d like to go to the luau too.  But more on that later, I’m getting ahead of myself.

This was the view when leaving the house each morning.  Blue clear sky.  Green all around (and they’re in a draught!).  And clean air!

This time we planned it right, unlike 3 years ago.  Kona Brewery tour first, then lunch.  You want to take the tour first because you get beer samples at the end.  So my advice is to sample what’s free, then get the sampler of others brews you want to try.  Trust me on this.  And of course the food, and the beers, did not disappoint.  We ordered 2 small (or was it medium) pizzas, and each chose a combo for our half.  There were 8 slices to a pizza, for 4 of each combo, which means we each got to try a slice of the others.  Not that I’m bias or anything, but I ordered “Pele’s Own” and it was amazing.  Amazingly spicy too, but soooooo good.  Or maybe my taste buds were just done to flavor the others.  Oh, and I got a pint of the Lemongrass Ginger Ale.  Again, soooooooo good.

After lunch we decided to head to the hotel where the luau was taking place to get the tickets for my parents.  We, and I mean Dad, lived by the navigation on his iphone.  He was totally coveting my 4s that arrived days before flying out.

We then walked around Ali’i Drive in Kona.  And of course we had to hit up a beach, Magic Sands Beach.  Kevin and Dad were not shy to get in (swimming in the surf, then boogie boarding in).  But Mom and I opted to stay dry (and not have to fuss with our hair, ok that was just me) before the luau.

I kept calling this kind of bird the dove of Hawaii.  Kinda looks the same.

And the luau.  My 2 visits to Hawaii before I’d never gone to one, and I’ve always wanted to.  Why not do something totally touristy?  But before we were traveling as a family of 6, and luaus aren’t cheap.  But let me say, for $60 each (discount found online somewhere) we were fed an all you can eat buffet of traditional Hawaiian foods, and enjoyed a hula show, while watching the sunset.  Oh, and there were mai tais too.

iPhone Instagrm dump…