Yesterday we were due to travel to Big Island but not until 4-15 so we had some time to fill. We hadn’t really decided what we would do today ..maybe we would visit the posh shops at Poipu perhaps visit the National Tropical Botanical Gardens nearby.
But in the end going back to Poipu Beach to see if the turtles were there again, won out. We’d been woken by the parakeet alarm at 6-15 so after a cup of tea we were off and this time with snorkelling gear.
So we parked up at red knickers beach again and wandered over, fully expecting nothing to be there. But lo and behold there was one lovely turtle resting up in the same spot as yesterday. We stayed and watched it for a while but he wasn’t ready to get going yet. So I decided to go into the water and have a little snorkel. It was a beautiful morning and not many people around as it was so early. It was nice snorkelling here and I saw some nice fish including some sort of eel ( not so nice! ) . I kept an eye on Jane to see if there was any turtle movement but there wasn’t.
All of a sudden we noticed a group gathered at the other end of the cove. We decided that we better go and have a look in case there were more turtles over there. We walked over and as we got closer we realised that what they were watching were two Monk Seals playing in the water and sometimes surfing into shore! It was quite incredible , they were SO playful. Just to think , a few minutes earlier I’d been snorkelling in here. Imagine if I’d come face to face with a seal! And now as Jane was taking photos they were coming into the shore right in front of her. They were also making some very interesting snorting noises. I’m sure they were laughing at us!
After we had watched this playful pair we then went back to check on our turtle who was by now turned around and heading into the sea. It was time for me to get back in the water and swim with the turtle. It was just heaven.
By now time was getting on and we now had an hour to go back and pack up ready to leave our lovely AirBnB by 10am. Eek. Anyway we rushed about a bit taking photos of cherry licking geckos on the balcony and by 10-30 we were ready to go.
We drove over to Lihue where the airport is and had a late breakfast at some locals cafe. French toast and Fried eggs. Yum. Interestingly we asked for coffee but for the 2nd time this holiday they looked puzzled and said no it was past midday so they’d stopped serving coffee. But as we looked so confused she agreed to make us a special brew.
We then made our way to the airport and dropped off the rental car, realising that we’d been totally ripped off by the ‘we’ll refill the car for you’ deal. Anyway, we were quite early at the airport so after a while we found the Tiki Bar for a cold one and sat chatting to the barman and a local. Mostly about wrestling which was on the TV.
Our flight to Big Island was fine and we landed in Kona on time at 5-15. We picked up our cases and rental car quickly and started heading towards the Hawaiian Belt Road which then joins the cross island road. However, as we started to ascend it got darker and darker and we found ourselves in a huge downpour of rain. It was other worldly as the rain was so heavy , I could hardly see in front of the car. I was really quite worried as I knew we had a long 90 mins drive across and down to Volcano, where we were staying. But we continued on past where small rocks had obviously been washed down onto the road. It was hellish and I was quite stressed. However, we hadn’t really left the city when we came across a road block where the police had closed the road. They said there was a diversion but there wasn’t really as there is just the one road! We were diverted down a massive , steep road which had turned into a river, back into Kona where we’d come from earlier.
By now I was scared. I thought all I needed to worry about was the volcano but it turned out that plain old rain would stop us. I told Jane that I wasn’t prepared to drive the alternative south road tonight and we needed to find somewhere to stay here. She agreed as by now I couldn’t even see which lane to drive in and we just about found our way into Kailua and the first hotel we drove into was a Marriott. We drove straight out and then I spotted Uncle Billies Kona Hotel. Jane ran out of the car and spoke to reception and $175 later , we had a bed for the night. It was an ok American style hotel, with lava walls but it was nothing really special. In fact this isn’t really even that expensive for hotels here , especially as the Ironman World Championships are about to kick off here, right next door.
We popped across the road for essential supplies and then hid from the still pouring rain in our room. What a day of contrasts- but the main thing was that we were safe. Health and Safety. Health and Safety…..
Where shall we go to next? 