Arrived Big Island, no problems

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Avery,

Sounds like you are having a great time.....other than the incident with your son. I hope it is not the same son who got hurt on your last trip......

We are looking forward to hearing about your adventures....check back in with us, when you get a chance. And please.......don't forget to bring your camera with you on your travels........

[vinolover Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close vinolover]

We moved from the Bay Club to FFKHV. DH said it was like moving from Orlando to Hawaii. I'd have to agree. The beaches on the Kohala Coast are great, but the resort really felt like a nice place in Florida. FFKHV really has a great old Hawaiian feel, and we are glad to have the second bedroom and the beautiful lanai (our lanai at Bay Club was on ground floor facing parking lot, ick). We are in the Phase I section, overlooking the pool (something I asked to avoid), but it is fine and so far quiet at night. We are in an upstairs unit, so I can't comment on any downstairs issues, but we have no bugs and the lizards are small and few.
Aloha,
Avery

What unit number did you get at KHV? We are hoping for this resort next month. I turned down a 1BR at the Bay Club for the exact reason you mentioned. It seemed that all the 1BR units had a parking lot view.

Hope you enjoy your trip to the volcano! Let us know all about the new flow.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

We are in 6A. I saw you just missed the week you want, hopefully someone has it on hold and will release it.

I promise to post pics when we get back from Volcano, we are leaving to drive over in a little while.

It was not the same son who got hurt in Vermont. They seem to have a 'taking turns' system worked out. Except for our last trip to Killington, when they both got hurt.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

We rented kayaks today and crossed the Bay I Can't Pronounce or Spell (starts with K) to Captain Cook Monument. Best snorkeling ever. Unfortunately, my oldest son cut his ankle on a rock (the disadvantage of kayaking is you need to park on the lava and walk in through some pretty hairy/slippery terrain), so we spent the evening in the lovely Kona Community Hospital. I'm glad we didn't have a serious problem there, but we were able to avoid stitches thanks to Dermabond. He can't snorkel for the rest of the week, but tomorrow we are headed to VNP so he will probably only have to miss one more snorkel trip (Place of Refuge). Can't wait to see the new flow into the Pacific!!
Aloha,
Avery

It sounds like you are having fun. We took a tour boat to Captain Cook's monument and it was easy jumping off the boat. It's a great snorkeling spot but you will see many turtles at the Place of Refuge. They were between the rocks and you could see them from the shore. We were swimming between many porpoises or dolphins which was very nice.

To see the lava glow the best, you need to stay until it is dark. This is the reason why we no longer stay in Kona but stay at or very close to the park. Don't forget to drive to the northern part of the island as it is almost like England. Very pastoral.

Star gazing is also a very nice trip as you may see snow in Hawaii and many stars. We have done it twice. It needs to be dark (no moon) to be best. We found this out from experience.

You can't do it all in one week's visit but you may return.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

It sounds like you are having fun. We took a tour boat to Captain Cook's monument and it was easy jumping off the boat. It's a great snorkeling spot but you will see many turtles at the Place of Refuge. They were between the rocks and you could see them from the shore. We were swimming between many porpoises or dolphins which was very nice.

To see the lava glow the best, you need to stay until it is dark. This is the reason why we no longer stay in Kona but stay at or very close to the park. Don't forget to drive to the northern part of the island as it is almost like England. Very pastoral.

Star gazing is also a very nice trip as you may see snow in Hawaii and many stars. We have done it twice. It needs to be dark (no moon) to be best. We found this out from experience.

You can't do it all in one week's visit but you may return.

the Fair Winds (or Four winds) was all booked up for the week. I'm not sorry as the kayak was really an adventure, but anyone who is interested in this boat should book ahead from the mainland.

We planned on staying at the Volcano after dark, but it started raining and got very cloudy. We walked back to the car 1.5 miles in the rain, got SOAKED, but it was fun. the walk over was amazing on the newer lava formations and that lava sea wall did seem like I imagine Cornwall to be in spots. It seemed like a 50 fft drop to the ocean, but we got soaked by the waves pounding the wall even though we stood at the top. We did get to see a big plume before the clouds turned on usalso put our 4 wd to good use on the way here, took a 6 mile road down to a deserted black sand beach, tidal pool, etc.... I thought it'd be a 20 minute diversion, but it took 40 minutes to drive each way, and we spend almost an hour down there.

whew, we are recovering at Kaileau Lodge, must head for our cottage now...

Aloha
Avery

[gophish Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close gophish]

Avery,
Nice adventure. You sound like you are making very good use of your time there. Continue to have a great time.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

the Fair Winds (or Four winds) was all booked up for the week. I'm not sorry as the kayak was really an adventure, but anyone who is interested in this boat should book ahead from the mainland.

We planned on staying at the Volcano after dark, but it started raining and got very cloudy. We walked back to the car 1.5 miles in the rain, got SOAKED, but it was fun. the walk over was amazing on the newer lava formations and that lava sea wall did seem like I imagine Cornwall to be in spots. It seemed like a 50 fft drop to the ocean, but we got soaked by the waves pounding the wall even though we stood at the top. We did get to see a big plume before the clouds turned on usalso put our 4 wd to good use on the way here, took a 6 mile road down to a deserted black sand beach, tidal pool, etc.... I thought it'd be a 20 minute diversion, but it took 40 minutes to drive each way, and we spend almost an hour down there.

whew, we are recovering at Kaileau Lodge, must head for our cottage now...

Aloha
Avery

How wonderful that you saw so much at the park and do you mean that you are staying at the Kilauea Lodge? Isn't that lodge wonderful and very good food when we were there. They put us in the honeymoon suite with the double shower heads and it had a fireplace too but we preferred the other room where the sun came in. It was recommended by a TUGger so we tried it. Reservations have to be made a long time in advance for anyone who wants to try it too.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

do you mean that you are staying at the Kilauea Lodge? ....Reservations have to be made a long time in advance for anyone who wants to try it too.

I just made our reservations (Tutu's Place - the 2-bedroom offsite) for next summer. When I sent the email request I got a response saying they were already booked. When I called to check, sure enough they were already booked for this summer, but fine for next summer. Wonder how far ahead I should call for dinner reservations.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

Luanne, you were the lady who recommended this resort and I am glad we took your word for it. Also, you were right that the meals are much better here too than at the Volcano House. Nice to see you here.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

How wonderful that you saw so much at the park and do you mean that you are staying at the Kilauea Lodge? Isn't that lodge wonderful and very good food when we were there. They put us in the honeymoon suite with the double shower heads and it had a fireplace too but we preferred the other room where the sun came in. It was recommended by a TUGger so we tried it. Reservations have to be made a long time in advance for anyone who wants to try it too.

We did not stay there, they had a room when I called three weeks ago, but only a 'room' for the four of us. We ended up staying in a 'cottage' at the Country Goose B & B nearby, I expected something kinda gross since so many things were booked up, but was pleased to find it was really a 3 bedroom ranch house, spotless and bug free. The washer dryer came in very handy given how soaked we got walking back from the hopeful 'viewing spot." Breakfast this morning was perfect and plentiful, the hostess, Joan, was lovely. She manages several homes of friends within walking distance of her house where breakfast is served, it worked out perfectly and the price was reasonable. We went to the Lodge for dinner after the rainout... enjoyed the food, though the menu was heavily game-oriented (no bunny or antelope for us, thanks) and the flavors somewhat 'unusual...' Still, we enjoyed the evening there.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Avery,

(no bunny or antelope for us, thanks) 

...................


Have a great day, and keep us posted.......

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

today we took a road described in Big Island Revealed as a 'nasty 4wd road...' They weren't kidding! We had to ditch the jeep and walk the last mile or more. it was worth it!! I tried to post pics here, but they are too big

We had the beach to ourselves (duh, it's like ridiculous to get there), it was beautiful!! And we found a tide pool teeming with baby fish, even baby snowflake moray eels, only 3 inches long or so. It was really incredible. I am going to be sad to leave this island, I feel like there's so much more to explore here, so I guess we'll be back! But since we are leaving here and heading for Maui, how sad can I be?

tomorrow will be a hopefully easy trip to Place of Refuge and the nearby bay for snorkeling. My oldest may get back in the water for that, though he enjoyed just hanging out in our deserted piece of paradise today.


Aloha,
Avery

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

today we took a road described in Big Island Revealed as a 'nasty 4wd road...' They weren't kidding! We had to ditch the jeep and walk the last mile or more. it was worth it!! I tried to post pics here, but they are too big

We had the beach to ourselves (duh, it's like ridiculous to get there), it was beautiful!! And we found a tide pool teeming with baby fish, even baby snowflake moray eels, only 3 inches long or so. It was really incredible. I am going to be sad to leave this island, I feel like there's so much more to explore here, so I guess we'll be back! But since we are leaving here and heading for Maui, how sad can I be?

I knew you would want to come back one day!

tomorrow will be a hopefully easy trip to Place of Refuge and the nearby bay for snorkeling. My oldest may get back in the water for that, though he enjoyed just hanging out in our deserted piece of paradise today.


Aloha,
Avery

I hope you will see the turtles too at the Place of Refuge like we did. We also went snorkeling at a place nearby but I can't remember the name now.

Maui and Hawaii are so different and I hope you will like Maui too. There are way too many people going to that Island now so the traffic is congested but there are some very nice beaches over there. Makena Beach still looks like a native beach without all the hotels and condos but with the native trees that used to be at most beaches. It is the opposite of Ka-anapali Beach which is one hotel after another.

Isn't your week going fast? I am glad you are staying more than only one week!

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Emmy,

YES, Turtles!! I got so scared when a wave hit me on my way in on Two Step and I fell on a Turtle!!! they are so gentle and graceful ( and tolerant of all the gawking snorkelers...). A pod of dolphin hung out in the bay all day, though we didn't swim that far out and didn't want to swarm them. But they sure seemed happy enough, I saw at least three leap out high over the water and spin before hitting the water again. Sigh....

btw I finally figured out the Lei secret... they aren't just silly flower necklaces... the smell of the plumeria stays with you all day/night, how wonderful!!!!

sigh again....

btw, I have NEVER liked a non-beachfront resort this much. I think it's because this island is so much about exploring; if it were beachfront we would miss so much... (there is little 'beachfront' in Kona, btw, and the Kohala Coast, where the 'good' beaches are, is pretty desolate...)

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

YES, Turtles!! I got so scared when a wave hit me on my way in on Two Step and I fell on a Turtle!!! they are so gentle and graceful ( and tolerant of all the gawking snorkelers...).

Avery......I probably would have had a heart attack.......

I loved snorkeling this year, and am even going to take a local class on scuba diving. However, I am normally very uncomfortable around creatures that I am not accustomed to dealing with.

On my first snorkeling trip, my DH had to stay very close by....just in case he needed to save me........

Sounds like you are having a very exciting, and memorable time.....