Hawai'i - The Seventh, Big Island Day

Snorkeling

Kristen wanted to try snorkeling, so we called up Hawai'i's own Snorkel Bob and rented equipment for the day. They had prescription masks, which was really great because I could now see the fish clearly.

On our way to Snorkel Bob's we dropped Chris off at a moped rental agency, so he'd have his own set of wheels to explore the island.

Kristen and I drove down to Kealakekua Bay at the Captain Cook monument, near a crumbling Hawai'ian temple. The beach was a four feet wide stretch of white sand, with an ominous pile of hot black rocks around its rim. We laid our towels upon the rocks and stumbled and cursed our way down to the beach. I showed Kristen how to wear and use the snorkel, and we gently waded out.

The current near the beach was a bit strong, but we were soon free of the waves' influence and enjoying the beauty of the reef. It was a much livelier place than Hanauma Bay on O'ahu. The mild current made us bolder as we paddled about, and I swam further out than I had at Hanauma.

There was an abundance of fish, and several other intriguing marine creatures. The reefs were studded with colorful corals, and pointy sea urchins. Fish of all colors and shapes swam by us. Kristen didn't know, at first, that diving underwater with a snorkel was possible. Once I explained it to her she spent the rest of the time diving down and getting a close-up look at all the reefs and their inhabitants.

Shopping in Kona

After returning to the condo we all went out to spend some money in Kailua-Kona's waterfront shopping district. The girls and I took the car, while Chris followed behind on his moped. There was a fantastic open-air bazaar near the parking lot, filled with the smells of fresh fruit, coconut, and tropical drinks.

One stall caught my eye. A son and his mother were selling orchids. They were not, however, real orchids, but made of a pliable clay that quite gets hard. The clay is sun-hardened - as opposed to fired in a kiln. It was a Thai art form of creating flowers from this clay, and painting them in a realistic manner. I purchased a small flower with amazing detail on the stamen, something I didn't even think was possible.

The bazaar was interesting but hot, so the others moved on to cooler boutiques. I puttered around a few more minutes before joining them on the quest for perfect souvenirs.

As it turns out, the perfect souvenir from Hawai'i is chocolate. Kristen found a candy store that makes its own confections - chocolates, taffies, brittles, and more. At the Sweet Ohana Candy Factory free taste-testing is the law, and we sampled almost everything available. There was so much to choose from, and all of it tasty.

Overlook Sunset

After returning to the condo we all went out to spend some money in Kailua-Kona's waterfront shopping district. The girls and I took the car, while Chris followed behind on his moped. There was a fantastic open-air bazaar near the parking lot, filled with the smells of fresh fruit, coconut, and tropical drinks.

One stall caught my eye. A son and his mother were selling orchids. They were not, however, real orchids, but made of a pliable clay that quite gets hard. The clay is sun-hardened - as opposed to fired in a kiln. It was a Thai art form of creating flowers from this clay, and painting them in a realistic manner. I purchased a small flower with amazing detail on the stamen, something I didn't even think was possible.

The bazaar was interesting but hot, so the others moved on to cooler boutiques. I puttered around a few more minutes before joining them on the quest for perfect souvenirs.

As it turns out, the perfect souvenir from Hawai'i is chocolate. Kristen found a candy store that makes its own confections - chocolates, taffies, brittles, and more. At the Sweet Ohana Candy Factory free taste-testing is the law, and we sampled almost everything available. There was so much to choose from, and all of it tasty.