Kona and Kahala Coast

Last week I had wonderful and unusually long layover on the big island of Hawaii. It's rough job,  but somebody got to do it.  Most  layovers are just long enough to get something to eat and go to bed, but this week I arrived Thursday evening and left Saturday evening. 

Since I usually travel alone when I'm working, I thought ti might be time to take some of you alone with me on my travel (at least in spirit) and maybe we can worship and glorify our creator together.

I arrived at the Kona international airport around 4pm and immediately headed with my crew to the Sheraton Keauho Bay Resort,  a few miles south of Kona. The crew gathered on my lanai to "debrief" . It was fun sharing and especially hearing Patti share some of her experiences with Hollywood in the 60's. Patti is our very own movie star flight attendant. (she's the one in the photo with me). But soon it was time for bed because in the morning I would be renting a car in hopes of seeing as much of the island as possible in one day. With some suggestions from a local who sat across from me on my jump seat, I had a possible itinerary. (Thanks Shelley from Kona!) 

In the morning I splurged and rented a white Mustang convertible. (It was only $30 more than a compact..what else could I do.) And as my nieces know, it's the only way to see the countryside. By 10 a.m. I was heading up the Queen Kaahumanu Hwy (19) towards the Kona and Kahala coasts, with a flexible goal of lunch in Waimea and then making my way down the eastern coast in time to see  Mauna Loa's spectacular volcanic lava flow into the sea by night. Mauna Loa is largest active volcano on planet earth. This was an aggressive itinerary for a single day. But if I didn't make it, fine because if I have learned anything about travel, (and life for that matter); it's the unexpected that brings wonder and true appreciation to you life. You always have to make room for divine appointments constantly looking for His blessings in everything. 

I missed my first turn,  which turned out wonderful because I was able to travel up the entire Kona Coast before turning inland. Much of the Kona coast is miles and miles of surreal lava fields. It's like driving on the moon! (or at least how I imagine driving on the moon might be. All the while on the left is the beautiful and powerful snow and cloud capped Mauna Kia, one of best star gazing places on earth with  numerous observatories.

wiemea

Once I reached HWY 19, I headed inland to Wiamea, a town in the Northern interior of the big island. This drive was spectacular. The beautiful landscape reminded me of the rolling hills of Ireland. One of my favorite places on earth.

I arrived in the small town of Waimea about 12:30, in time for lunch at a Restaurant that I had heard about: 

Merriman's. I was very interested in trying this place because it is said to be one of the original "hawaiian cusine" restaurant. The owner and chef, Peter Merriman buy 90% of his meats and organic vegetables from local farmer and ranchers.  For me, buying Locally and knowing where you food originates is a high prioriety. I started off with a fresh organic salad with dill dressing, it was amazing. The hierloom yellow tomatoes were quite possibly the best I have ever had. I thought of ordering a plate of tomatoes (and my thoughts on tomatoes is like what my grand-nieces would about other things: "Their not my favorite"). But instead of plate of tomatoes I had fresh local grilled Mai Mai  with a buttery lilikoi sauce and stir fried veggies and one more slice of that wonderful tomato. Praise God for our senses and the wonderful things He has created to satisfy them. The only thing missing was one of you to share it with. (Food is such a community thing and I guess that's why I'm sharing this with you now.). If I would have gone back to the hotel from there, my day would have been complete. But I continued on with my adventure. The day was just getting started!

World Botanical Gardens, Umuama Falls and Rain Forest

Once I reached the the eastern coast, I headed south towards Mauna Loa. I took a little detour through the village of Pa'auillo to get a feel for the way the locals lived. 

As I continued on I passed by what I thought was an old abandoned church along the side of the road, it looked so interesting that I had to turn around and check it out. The sign said: church service at 9:30. It could of been old but who knows. There was still stuff like folding chairs in storage under the building. 

I checked the map and saw that there was a Botanical garden ahead so I made my way towards it, enjoying the incredible drive long the coast with the top down on the convertible.

It turns out the Botanical garden included a view of Umuama Falls and a walk through a rain forest. I ended  up spending a couple of hours viewing the falls, walking the rain forest and the botanical gardens, maybe the highlight of my journey.