Aloha (2012)

I thought this time I would try a different approach to my travel blog. Now, I am providing mainly pictures with pithy comments (that’s PITHY). Jeanette and I both had Hawaii on our bucket lists so this year we took the plunge and spent eight days there on the “Big Island” (the local name for Hawaii). The best part was the vacation itself. The worst parts were our flights out and back … over twelve hours in the air … although I must admit that U.S. Air did its very best.  (However, not recommended were the expensive and schmaltzy luau at the Hilton Hotel and Bubba Gump's restaurant in Kona)

On to the pics … they are arranged in roughly chronological order:

Our condo at Hali'i Kai in Waikoloa area.  (It was great!)

Our first day at Kona Joe coffee plantation.  Kona coffee ... yawn.

The spa and pool for the condo association.  Fabulous!



The bar and restaurant at our spa ... great food and mai tais!



Sunset looking over our spa's pool.

On our way to snorkeling at the Capt. Cook monument.

That's our white Jeep Wrangler over my shoulder.

At "Lava Lava" -- a nearby free beach ... with lounge chairs.

A farmer's market in Hilo on our last day.

Orchids at a beautiful market on the way to Kilauea volcano.

Last afternoon at a subdued Kilauea volcano.



Last sunset on way to airport from Kilauea -- plane left at 11:45!