Big Island of Hawaii

We had an 11:30am to Kona on the big Island, a forty minute flight. TV had alerted us that the H1 westbound would be closed as the APEC leaders were heading out of Honolulu for meetings at a resort. We decided to err on the side of caution and check out at 9am and head to airport. This was a good thing as traffic was horrendous and we finally arrived at the airport after 10am. 





Hawaiian airlines has an amazing automated check-in system, Air Canada are you listening?
You use your passport, credit card or whatever to log-in, it weighs your luggage, issues baggage tags and boarding passes all at the same kiosk. Then you simply put your bags on the rack.


Leaving Kona airport heading to lunch

Grabbed luggage and then had a 45 minute wait at the car rental office. It was just packed as five planes had just landed. By then it was 1pm and we were starving.

Drove into Kona and tried a new restaurant (to us) The Fish Hopper. Our lunch was delicious, I of course, had the ahi tuna and DH had the shrimp salad. We will definitely be back here for lunch next week when we move down to Kona for a couple of day

Ahi tuna with papaya, mango and advocado

           Shrimp Caesar

Off to Safeway for groceries. Word to the wise, sign up for their discount card as soon as you get there. We saved $80 on our order!!

Then we settled back for the 40-50 minute drive to Sea Mountain. This is our 5th stay here and is my most favourite resort for total relaxation. It was 3 minutes past 5 and the office was closed. There is a  guest phone which you call and then you are given the code to the lockbox to retrieve your condo information and key. We had rented a two bedroom unit and it was just beautiful. VI has just refurbished their 28 units and they look so good.

Second bedroom

Master en-suite loft bedroom

View from upper deck

Monday morning was beautiful, what could be better than awaking to the sound of the birds chirping away (even though it is only 6am). The units do not have air conditioning but the trade winds keep you cool along with the ceiling fans.

We took a quick drive into  Na’alehu  so that we could pick up bread and desserts at the best best bakery around Punalu'u..

I had one of these for dessert - delicious!