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.