Big lsland Here We Come!

[indysteel]

In October of 2014, my boss for the last 12 years will retire. It will be his successor's sole prerogative to retain me. I love my job and hope to stay, but it's largely out of my control. If she or he doesn't want me, my life could radically change. If, for instance, I have to go back to private practice, I may find myself with far less vacation time and far more stress.

So, DH and I decided to take a big trip in 2013. We're spending 10 days on the Big Island of Hawaii next April. Ten days!! We plan to split our time between the Hilo and Kona sides of the island. We just booked the flights tonight and I have an email in to the owner of the Hilo rental home where we'd like to stay (it's actually in the Puna district).

I'm so excited! I've only been to Oahu and DH has never been. We debated which island to go to, but we finally settled on the Big Island. I doubt we'll be disappointed!

[roguedog]

congrats! sounds lovely. how can you go wrong? i've wanted to go to the big island since there seems to be so much diversity in climate and potential activities.

very exciting!

[OakLeaf]

Fun!

[Wahine]

Good for you!! Have a great time. I love Hawaii. I've spent quite a lot of time on both Maui and the Big Island. Lovely.

[salsabike]

Snorkel! Snorkel! And if you like geology--we are serious geology weenies--it is incredibly interesting to drive around the Big Island, as well. If you are interested, you might want to take the book "Roadside Geology of Hawaii" with you--fascinating! I went to Hawaii (North Kohala Coast) for the first time in March and fell wildly in love with it.

[malkin]

Wonderful!

Dinner at Volcano Nat'l Park!
I was there with my brother/ The volcano was quiet, but my brother ordered escargot--one of which exploded (!) when he stabbed it with his fork. Talk about drama!

Desert was pie with mac nuts in the crust. Soooo tasty!!!!!

[Veronica]

We've been to the Big Island 4 times since 2003 when we took our tandem and circumnavigated it.

Love the geology, love to snorkel, love to hike...

When are you going in April?

Veronica

[indysteel]

We leave April 24th. Return May 3.

Did I mention that I'm excited? That's so cool that you rode your tandem around is the island, V!

[Catrin]

This sounds just plain awesome Indy! I've a couple of friends who went on their honeymoon trip there 15 years ago, and they told me they had a great time mountain biking. I assume they rented bikes when they were there, but don't know what they had in place 15 years ago.

Snorkeling sounds like a LOT of fun!

[Veronica]

In Volcano I reccommend staying here (http://www.emmaspencerliving.com/volcano-village-lodge/) or Kilauea Lodge. Have dinner at least once at Kilauea LOdge.

You can rent some pretty nice bikes in Kona and ride up to Hawi on the Ironman route. We rented from Bike Works.

We've stayed in 4 different places on the Kona Coast and would recommend all of them for different reasons.

If they are still doing tours, Arnotts Lodge had some good ones up Mauna Kea and to see the lava flows. You don't have to stay there to do their tours.

Highly encourage getting Wizard Publications Hawaii The Big Island Revealed as your guidebook.


Veronica

[indysteel]

In Volcano I reccommend staying here (http://www.emmaspencerliving.com/volcano-village-lodge/) or Kilauea Lodge. Have dinner at least once at Kilauea LOdge.

You can rent some pretty nice bikes in Kona and ride up to Hawi on the Ironman route. We rented from Bike Works.

We've stayed in 4 different places on the Kona Coast and would recommend all of them for different reasons.

If they are still doing tours, Arnotts Lodge had some good ones up Mauna Kea and to see the lava flows. You don't have to stay there to do their tours.

Highly encourage getting Wizard Publications Hawaii The Big Island Revealed as your guidebook.


Veronica

Thanks for the suggestions. It's been hard to decide on accommodations. We prefer not to move around too much, although that does mean more driving. We're pretty settled on staying in a rental house that's about 40 minutes from the national park. It's on the very edge of the coast and has some stunning views. It's not far outside Hilo town and will put us is a decent position to explore the Hamakua Coast, as well as South Point, although obviously lots of driving will be involved. The second place is a studio cottage outside of Kailua-Kona. That location should put us in a decent position to explore that side of the island. I'm not sure from which base we'll explore Waimea and the Waipi'o Valley. It's about the same distance from each.

It's going to be a busy ten days with a fair amount of driving. There are so many things from which to choose. We have the Big Island Revealed Guidebook and will just have to spend some time pouring over it in an effort to prioritize. I think we need to accept that we won't be able to see and do it all. At least we have plenty of time to plan.....

[Veronica]

Why do you think we've been 4 times? We still haven't seen and done everything we want!

Veronica

[indysteel]

Why do you think we've been 4 times? We still haven't seen and done everything we want!

Veronica

I'm jealous that you've been able to visit the island that many times. It's such an expensive and long trek from Indy. Are you planning a Hawaii trip in 2013?

I'm just glad DH is always game for whatever I suggest. Hawaii has been in the back of my mind for a while, but there was a thread earlier this year on RBR that really caught my attention. So I say to him: "How 'bout the Big Island for 2013." Without pausing, he says "sure." That's how we've decided on most of our trips. I suggest it; he agrees and I then run with it. I love planning vacations, and he loves to let me plan them!

First things first though. We have our trip to Maine in September to look forward to. I'm excited about that one as well. I spent a summer as a child in the New Hampshire with my mom's family, and I've had a romantic attachment to that general area ever since. It's been on my to-do list for a while.

[Veronica]

Yeah, we're lucky. Hawaii is closer to us than Maine. :D

The only thing we've planned so far for 2013 is about 10 days in Maine for Thom's parents 50th wedding anniversary. They've got a 4 day shindig planned so far - rehearsal dinner, contra dance, the EVENT, family breakfast. The other days are for visiting my family and doing some touristy stuff.

Then we're doing a rafting trip of part of the Grand Canyon with Thom's parents and probably spending a couple of days in Vegas.

Those two things are the end of June, beginning of July.

We'll do something else, just the two of us. But I don't know what yet. Maybe the San Juans... maybe a trip down the CA Coast. Definitely something involving bikes.

Veronica

[indysteel]

Yeah, we're lucky. Hawaii is closer to us than Maine. :D

The only thing we've planned so far for 2013 is about 10 days in Maine for Thom's parents 50th wedding anniversary. They've got a 4 day shindig planned so far - rehearsal dinner, contra dance, the EVENT, family breakfast. The other days are for visiting my family and doing some touristy stuff.

Then we're doing a rafting trip of part of the Grand Canyon with Thom's parents and probably spending a couple of days in Vegas.

Those two things are the end of June, beginning of July.

We'll do something else, just the two of us. But I don't know what yet. Maybe the San Juans... maybe a trip down the CA Coast. Definitely something involving bikes.

Veronica

Sounds good. Now I remember the picture of the dress you're planning to buy for the anniversary party. It's pretty!

If we end up going on a second trip next year, it's going to be something on the cheap. I almost have him talked into doing BRAT, the bike tour in Tennessee I did a couple of times before we met. It's nothing exotic, but I always had a really good time and the road riding there is quite nice. There are so few details to worry about, which is sort of refreshing.

[Norse]

You will love it! We went last fall - stayed on the Kona side - snorkled almost every day, learned how to paddle board, spent a few days at Volcano Nat'l Park, enjoyed some truly fantastic seafood.... I would love to go back some day but, like Indiana, it's kind of hard to get to from Minnesota.

[indysteel]

You will love it! We went last fall - stayed on the Kona side - snorkled almost every day, learned how to paddle board, spent a few days at Volcano Nat'l Park, enjoyed some truly fantastic seafood.... I would love to go back some day but, like Indiana, it's kind of hard to get to from Minnesota.

Awesome, Norse. Where were some of your favorite snorkeling spots?

[Becky]

If we end up going on a second trip next year, it's going to be something on the cheap. I almost have him talked into doing BRAT, the bike tour in Tennessee I did a couple of times before we met. It's nothing exotic, but I always had a really good time and the road riding there is quite nice. There are so few details to worry about, which is sort of refreshing.

I'm trying to talk my DH into BRAT for next year. Maybe we'll see you there!

[Catrin]

I'm trying to talk my DH into BRAT for next year. Maybe we'll see you there!

BRAT sounds like a lot of fun, and it IS my home state. I am considering doing this next year, we shall see :)

[salsabike]

This is by far the best snorkeling place we found--used mostly by local folks. http://www.paulstravelpictures.com/Waialea-Bay-Beach-69-Snorkeling-Kamuela-Big-Island-Hawaii/index.html

[sgf726]

Love the Big Island - We have been there twice.
The last time was 2 years ago and we did a cycling trip around the Island.

Couple of my favorite parts of the ride where riding the IM course from Hana down to the finish and riding from the Black Sand Beach at the southern end up to Volcanoe's National Park.

In the first trip we did a lot of hiking. Volcanoes NP is great to explore and the Big Island Revealed mentions a ranger guided hike thru a lava tube which is much better than Thurston (which has been cleaned up for the tourists) this one is more natural but is restricted to the guided hikes.

Some of the best snorkling I have done is the bay by Captain Cook, where the statue is. It was like swimming in an aquarium with all the different fish.

Have fun.

[indysteel]

I'm trying to talk my DH into BRAT for next year. Maybe we'll see you there!

Cool! It would be nice to meet you. This year they're in Middle TN, so I'm hoping they're in Eastern TN for 2013. I've never done one in Western TN, and it doesn't hold as much appeal for me. They usually announce we're they're going by late fall if memory serves but don't come out with the specifics until spring.

[indysteel]

Thanks for the snorkeling suggestions. Captain Cook was definitely on my list, although I know there are some environmental concerns to be mindful of. Salsa, I'll have to look at that link at home. My office has that site blocked.

I also meant to ask if anybody has done any kayaking while visiting the BI. I'd really like to do that, too, time permitting.

[Veronica]

Last time we went we took a guided snorkel/kayak trip to Captain Cook. You can only land there now with permits I think. Plus it was nice to have someone bring lunch! :D

In 2004 we snorkeled across the bay. We had rented a convertible and that made renting kayaks hard. We didn't spend much time at Captain Cook, but snorkeling back, we got to see a pod of dolphins up close and personal. That was pretty cool!

It was a perfect day. We had gotten up super early to go see the lava flowing into the ocean at sunrise and then to have the dolphins...

Veronica

[GLC1968]

I've never been to Hawaii (except the airport as a layover on the way to Australia), so I'm extremely jealous! I'm sure it'll be a wonderful trip!

[salsabike]

It's Waialea Bay Beach 69 (named after a former telephone post...honest :)). Maybe this link is more work-friendly...http://www.tropicalsnorkeling.com/snorkeling-beach-69.html

[eofelis]

And if you like geology--we are serious geology weenies--it is incredibly interesting to drive around the Big Island, as well. If you are interested, you might want to take the book "Roadside Geology of Hawaii" with you--fascinating!

I have not been to Hawaii but if I did go it would be to get my volcano fix. My bf and I are both geologists. Mmmm.....pahoehoe

[salsabike]

Oh boy. Eolfelis, you guys would love it.

14844

[Crankin]

GLC, I haven't been to Hawaii, either.
Funny, it doesn't really bother me.

[shootingstar]

I've been to Hawai'i twice. One of the trips we spent 3 wks. on Big Island and Kauai. Another trip on island of Maui.

I loved Hawai'i because...culturally to me, the underpinning and spirit of Hawai'i felt very different from the the rest of the U.S. Yes, we did some cycling.

We took a tour up to Mauna Kea in evening where it was a star-gazing trip and to research observatory. The clear night skies are gorgeous! You could lie down on the grass and see the whole sky filled with stars.

It is near the equator, etc.

[Norse]

Awesome, Norse. Where were some of your favorite snorkeling spots?

We were staying at the Mauna Lani Bay hotel, north of the Kona airport, and there was great snorkeling right off their beach once you got past the initial lava reefs. There was also good snorkeling off of the public beach that was just south of there. I heard good things about the Captain Cook area too. I have snorkled in a lot of places (Sea of Cortez near San Carlos, Catalina Island, Caribbean, Alaska - yes, Alaska, Galapagos, the reefs off of FL keys, the Dry Tortugas) and the Big Island ranked right up there both in terms of underwater geography and diversity and quantity of marine life. Enjoy!

[indysteel]

That's so cool, Norse. I've only snorkeled during trips to Key West and Oahu--and both of those trips were some time ago. DH had never been, and it sounds like we are both in for a treat.

Is it April yet? :p

[indysteel]

When I first posted this thread, April, 2013 felt like a long way off. And now it's finally upon us!!!!

The good news is that we both are very much in need of some R&R thanks to a lot of work stress. The bad news is that we've both been so busy at work that it's been hard to find time to plan this trip as much as I would normally like. I hope that it goes well, despite that. The weather looks mostly good (I say mostly because we are spending part of the trip on the wet side of the island, but we knew going in that it would be wet).

I'm nervous about the flight. The FAA just announced that its furloughs will begin this week and that travelers can expect flight delays and cancellations. Oh, goody. Wish us luck!

[Catrin]

Yay Indy! It sounds like so much fun, certainly a wonderful change of pace :cool: Have fun, take something good to read for the flight and have a great time in R and R!

[Norse]

Bon Voyage! I would take a wet Big Island over the 6-10" of white stuff that they are forecasting for us tonight! :eek: I am sure you'll have blast and get in some much needed down time. :)

[indysteel]

Le Théâtre d'Aéroport.

LOL.

Thanks for the well wishes!

Did I mention that DH has a sinus infection or at least the makings for one? He got one (the only other one he's ever had) on our honeymoon a few years ago. He's had a sore throat for the better part of a week. My guess was allergies, but he wasn't really responding to any of my various allergy drugs. So, he went to his doc today and got a Z-pack. It might be a bit premature, but we'd really like to avoid the total meltdown that he had during our honeymoon. Of course, the Big Island isn't Belgium in the spring (think chilly and rainy), so there's that......

[thekarens]

Hope the meds clear him up ASAP and you two have a fantastic trip! Take lots of pics and get lots of rest.

[spokewench]

Snorkeling on the Kona side was great in different places; great places to see turtles. The Hilo side is so green and lush absolutely incredible waterfalls going that way, etc! The botanical gardens in Hilo is a must see. The ranch on the north side of island is pretty neat and of course, the volcano on the south side. Way too much to do in a week!

[jobob]

Have a lovely, restful time! :)

[smilingcat]

Have a wonderful trip and if your husband is having a sinus problem, perfect place to be! Go snorkling. Saline solution by gazillion gallons for neti pot right right before your eyes. just share with all the fishies in the water. :D I do wish him speedy recovery for the trip.

[TrekDianna]

Have a great time. I spent three years living in Hawai'i and never went swimming at all. I am not a beach person! There is a lot to do on the big Island. I do miss island hopping to hike. I lived on Oahu.

[indysteel]

Thanks for the pointers and additional well wishes. DH is feeling a bit better, thank goodness.

Oh, there's so much to do on the island; it's overwhelming. We were definitely going to the botanical gardens, Spoke, and we have several snorkeling spots we want to hit. We're staying five nights outside of Hilo (in a rental house) and four outside of Kona. I know the weather on the Hilo side will be wetter, but we both anticipate loving the lushness. But, we also anticipate running out of time to see and do what we want. Such is the nature of places worth visiting. There are definitely worse problems!

[indysteel]

The Big Island was a blast. I can't say that we relaxed much; there was too much to do and see. We ended up traversing a good portion of the island, either by car, foot or boat. The snorkeling was fantastic. The look on my husband's face the first time we went out was truly priceless. We snorkeled in a bunch of places, but the highlight was a boat tour we took on the western side of the island to three different snorkel spots. We went with a small boat (there were 10 of us) and at two of the three places, we were the only people in the water. We saw more fish than I could count, Spinner dolphins and a bunch of sea turtles that day. So, so amazing. The only bummer is that my skin just doesn't like the sun. I wore a rash guard, which took care of my upper body, but the back of my legs broke out in a rash from the sun. This has happened to me in the past, so it wasn't a total shock. No matter how many times I reapplied sun block (we used Tropical Sands, a broad spectrum reef safe block that we really liked), it just wasn't enough. So, if I ever go snorkeling again, I'm going to wear an SPF tight or capri. The sun there is so, so strong. It's just as well that I stay covered when in open water like that.

We also did some pretty cool hikes. Volcanoes NP is awesome, although we didn't get to spend as much time there as I would have liked. We had planned for another half day there, but the hike we did in the morning took WAY longer than we thought it would and it was pouring rain by the time we hit the park again. Another of our hikes, in Waipi'o Valley for those familiar with the island--was far harder than I expected. Short of having a 4WD vehicle, you have to hike down a mile-long road to the beach. That part was fine, but our hike up, which we stupidly did mid-day, was really hard. The road has an average grade of 25%. Between the grade, the heat, and the lack of a breeze, I got really overheated and ended up throwing up on the side of the road. It was not a highlight of the trip to say the least.

Boy, between the rash and getting sick, I'm really making the trip sound fun! Those were just minor blips in between a whole lot of fun and amazement. The island is just so beautiful and, well, weird. The diversity of climate and landscape makes your head spin. I'm glad we split our time between the west and east coasts. They each had a distinct feel. Ironically, we go more rain on the dry side of the island, but that may have been a bit of a fluke. I want to give a special shout out to Nancy's Hideaway (http://www.nancyshideaway.com/)in Kailua-Kona. We stayed in her studio property for 4 of our 9 nights and just loved it. I'd love to go back.

Back to reality though. I slept well our first night back, but slept all of about two hours last night. I just couldn't fall asleep. I'm sure it will pass, but it makes for a rough re-entry.

[Veronica]

Athleta has swim tights in their catalog this year.

When we did the valley we were with two other not so fit couples and we did a horseback tour. They drive you down to the horses That was quite a while ago though.

I love Hawaii. :D

Veronica

[indysteel]

Thanks for the heads up about the tights. I'll have to add them to my Athleta wish list!

We thought about that horseback tour, but as much as I love riding, I generally hate riding in groups like that. I could kick myself though. I found out our last afternoon there about a ride you can do on an active ranch. That I would have loved. Guess I just have to go back!! We also want to bike parts of the island. Puna had these fantastic, mostly deserted roads with tree canopies out of this world.

[Veronica]

There's a reason we keep going back! Flights are easier and cheaper from here though. :D

I'm glad you had a good time!

Veronica