On the Go 3/3 Monday

At some point we shop at Hilo Hattie's for Hawaiian clothes and gifts. Then we stop at the Post Office to pick up flat rate boxes.

Next we hit the Kona Mountain coffee and chocolate factory, a logical activity, we tell ourselves, because our last beer sampled was a porter with chocolate overtones. (The tour guide confessed that he sometimes adds a shot of Bailey's to his.) We sample coffees and chocolates and buy dark chocolate covered macadamia nuts.

Feeling thirsty, we backtrack to the town center and go to Don's Mai Tai Bar at the Royal Kona. Our table has a great view of the ocean, and ordering the signature mai tai seems right to all three of us. After looking at the menu, we settle on three dishes from the list of appetizers: pork quesadillas, coconut shrimp, and baby back ribs.

We soon fade as fast as the setting sun and leave for our condo where we put together plans for the next day. Time change? What time change?

Kona Afternoon 3/3

After lunch we find the store featuring items crafted by local artisans and buy earrings, photo later. Surprisingly, daughter pushes through old piercing holes to wear them.

We arrive at the Kona Brewing Company early to claim our spots for the 3:00pm tour. As expected, the final stop has tables waiting with small glasses for sampling a variety of beers. The tour guide has sufficient knowledge and charisma to charm us, and we like all the beers, some more than others. Filling out our table is a family from Los Angeles consisting of mother, orthodontist father, and two daughters in their early twenties. Great conversation and fun!

Kona Town Morning 3/3 Monday

Waking early, we have coffee and make plans for the week. Since the skies refuse to let the sun shine, we opt for exploring downtown and shopping in Kona rather than beginning an outdoor excursion. So many stores, so little time!

Lunch is at the Kona Canoe Club, and we snag a table on their covered deck closest to the water. Fierce waves pummel the black rockiness below us. I have chicken salad made with wasabi mayo and coconut sour cream served in a mango half sprinkled with toasted coconut, all atop a bed of greens and served with pomegranate vinaigrette on the side. Daughter had calamari and husband had a predictable beef burger with an unpredictable slice of grilled pineapple. All good!

Time for a little more shopping and a search for earrings like the ones worn by our waitress!

Hawaii Condo 3/3 Monday

The condo we are renting makes us happy with the space, amenities, and location. It's just far enough from crowded Kona town and right on the ocean. The entrance collects our shoes and gear, and the rest of the downstairs and upstairs is cute and comfortable. I'm pleasantly surprised that so much is furnished, even condiments, pantry staples, beach towels, snorkeling equipment, tennis racquets, etc. (Check out the fridge door!) Daughter brought us the bowls of fruit on the table, coffee, and beer.

Curious to us is the patio situation that looks all boarded up. The sliding door opens, but a wood wall keeps the space in the dark. A quick inspection of the outside finds clamps tightly holding the barrier in place. Helpful neighbors and a notice posted in the condo explain that when a freak storm like the current one produces such powerful waves, the caretaker barricades patios facing the ocean; as soon as possible, he will remove the wood and position it to create a deck to expand the patio. Clever protection for the property!

Hawaii Welcome

Hawaii gives us a rainy welcome but daughter provides the sunshine and the lovely leis. The winter storm creates ferocious waves that send us scampering several times as we view the ocean from our resort. At dinner we sit outdoors with our feet in the sand and the crashing and thrashing punctuates our conversation. I have the ahi on focaccia, husband the Korean style short ribs, and daughter the mahi mahi. Beautiful adventures begin!