Hawaii – Day 1
Today we are off on a week’s vacation to the Big Island of Hawaii. Last night we stayed at the Good Nite Inn just north of San Francisco Airport. We have found that it is cheaper to stay one night in a hotel and leave the car parked there while we are away than to park in the long term car park. Besides, we get to start our vacation a day earlier.
(Click on the images for larger versions)
Our flight is at 9.04 so we are up early and catch the 6.30 shuttle to the airport. The bus was full. Lots of people are off on vacation.
Everything goes smoothly at the airport. We checked in last night so all we had to do was to check in our bag. Even that was almost painless. The bigger hassle is always getting through security but even that was not too bad today.
Our flight took off on time – how often does that happen? For most of the journey we were above the clouds (or was it fog?) and could not see the ocean below us at all. Just as we approached the Big Island, the sky clears and we can not only see water but also land and two of the volcanoes. Coming into land At Kona was interesting. As we descended, we came closer and closer to the ocean and then over lava beds. Just as I thought we were going to land on the lava, I saw the edge of the runway and breathed a sigh of relief.
Kona Airport was charming. No sky ramps to exit the plane but the good old fashioned steps pushed up to the airplane and a walk across the tarmac. The hot, balmy air hit us. We entered the departure area but this was the most unusual one I’ve seen as there are no walls, just a roof to give some shade. Once through the departure lounge we came to a large open air square with a bas relief statue of lei makers and shops all around.
Tom was last here a good few years ago and he said that nothing much as changed. One big difference though was the luggage carousel. Back then the luggage was spread out on the ground.
Next stop, the hire car. This time we chose Hertz because we got air miles. Finding the car was a challenge but a friendly Hertz guy helped us out.
By the time we had driven five miles we were completely unimpressed with our rental car – a Chevy Malibu. To say it was clunky is an understatement and it had no acceleration at all. I guess we will just have to get used to it.
We stopped in the town of Kailua Kona to take a wander round and to grab a bite to eat. We chose the Fish Hopper near the King Kamehameha Hotel on the waterfront and sat at a window seat only there was no glass in the window. The view over Kailua Bay was fantastic. Time to kick back and chill out. Hey guys, we are on vacation.
It was wonderful to sit in the restaurant eating our Hawaiian burgers and drinking our ice tea and watching the world go by. Out on the bay were small boasts, jet skies, swimmers and surf paddlers. Holidaymakers sauntering up and down the promenade. Sparrows were hopping around on the floor and window sills, searching for crumbs. Tom put down a piece of bacon but they were more interested in bread crumbs. They came amazingly close to us to grab the crumbs.
October 11 2008 | Further Afield | No Comments »
