The Big Island is actually official call Hawaii with the Capital in Hilo on the east side of the island. We stayed at Wailea Village north of Kona and the airport about 16 miles away. This side of the island is very volcanic with barren lava flows to just starting to grow vegetation to really looking like any tropical island. You can really see the different types of lava flows and old vents or fissures from prior eruptions. As we learned throughout the trip, this island is very old, yet in many ways still evolving if brand new.
NYD was of course an early wake up for us both due to the time zone shift and plenty of sleep. Our real first time view from our balcony is of the golf course and sunrise over Mauna Loa Mountain that we look at (more on that later in the blog). Coffee (Jeff) bagel with strawberry cream cheese spread and banana for breakfast. Great time to Star all the potential points of interest in Google Maps, while the landscape around the resort comes to life. First morning on the balcony was surprised by a lot of goats. They are wild along with horses and donkeys on the island.
We then packed up and headed out with a quick stop for beach towels. At each elevator and pool location they have towel dispensing machines. You use your key to check out (RFID passive) and when done a chute for return. $25 per towel penalty at end of stay for any not returned. That is incentive for sure.
Our goal to head straight down to South Point, the southern most point of the island. Then work our way back and check out sites we have marked and driven by on the way. We didn't think through that many locations are closed due to NYD.
The two hour plus drive along the base of Mauna Loa (windy narrow highway) was full of lava fields, along with old and new Hawaii look and feel. The scenic aspect was breath taking at times. The convertible Mustang was fun for this type of trek, although Janie had to grab a towel to fend off the chill of the morning and shady sections of the highway.
We arrived around 10:30 at south point. Cliffs of lava, fisherman with lines out hundreds of yards, a trade wind breeze and crashing waves. We hiked out onto the lava formations right down to waters edge! This section of the island is what I would expect visiting New Zealand might look like. Wind Mill Farm, lots of flowing grass land and a few small houses along the last few miles of the route. After this stop, back on the road for a planned adventure.
A quick 1 mile drive to the parking for Mahana or Papakolea Beach (aka "Green Beach") where several pickups and jeeps sat with lady at a table under a portable tent. The Green Beach is known for the sand being green from the mineral olivine found in the rocks. Olivine is dense and tends to accumulate on the beach without washing back into the ocean. The hike is supposedly 3 miles in and back, but really no way to tell difficulty, etc. from Google Maps or the trail head. This is the note I found online after the trip - "Getting to Papakōlea Beach requires a moderate to strenuous three-mile hike through lava fields. Visitors are advised to take lots of water and wear sturdy hiking shoes."
The drivers were offering at $30 per person a ride in the back of a pickup. Being cheap and Jeff loving to hike we opted to walk. The trail was varied between lava rock, sand, red to green soils and grass. 1 hour plus and we arrived. A lot of hikers all choosing different paths that have been created over the years. The view and beach was very pretty. However, the hike down and up from the beach was sketchy. After pics we opted to head back. It took almost the exact same time to get back, but our route selection was must improved. Upon our finish we purchased from the tent lady a cold Mt Dew for Janie and Gatorade for Jeff. With peanuts in the backpack we stemmed the hunger since it was now after 1 pm. Bagels and Banana breakfast seemed inadequate at this point of the day, but still lots to do.
Early into the drive we did stop at a roadside farm that was really a tourist stop selling Kona Coffee and Chocolate Covered Macadamia nuts along with gift shop trinkets. The shade was nice and we took some time to think through next steps. A little faster drive north brought us back to Kona. We found the "On the Rocks" restaurant literally on the the lava rock beach at waters edge. 30 min wait was survived at the bar with Mai Tai and Kona Lager. Dinner table in the sand patio over the lava rocks made for a great spot to just chill and enjoy the day so far. Janie had the Hawaiian BBQ pork (so good) and Jeff the fish tacos. Along with more Mai Tai, great way to head into the day's end.
We stopped at Walmart after late lunch/dinner for supplies which versus resort Queen's Market a huge savings. Gas is $4.59, so filling the tank tomorrow won't be fun. Gas stations are long distances, so we plan to keep the tank at all times over half full.
30 min drive from Kona with the sunset off to the left brought us back to the resort. Showers, cocktails and couch. Janie read in bed and Jeff listened to music pre-crashing.
End of the first full day on the island, which was quite the adventure. Looking forward to more of the same all week.
No comments:
Post a Comment