Tag Archives: big island

Big Island Love

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Well… we’re back in Canada. Coming home from a trip is always bittersweet. I thought I’d be devastated after leaving Hawaii, but it’s nice to see our families, house and pets again. Living out of a suitcase becomes tiring after a while.

Court and I booked a hotel room at the Marriott in Kailua a couple days before flying home. For a ‘basic’ hotel, it was actually really nice! Newly renovated, very comfortable beds and a great breakfast buffet. We were all over the omelete bar and um… oatmeal. I’ve been craving oats like mad lately! You know your vacation is coming to an end when oatmeal sounds more appealing than a Mai Tai.

Kailua reminded me a lot of Puerto Vallarta. Just smaller and without a ton of resorts. It’s a great choice for families or travelers looking for hosted tours. I’m glad we only stayed there for two nights – the dining options are limited, unless you’re into pub-style eats. Plus there are so.many.people. Instead of hanging around tourist shops, we lounged by the pool, and squeezed in a few much needed gym sessions.

Our last full day in Hawaii was spent swimming at Hapuna Beach (I swam with turtles again!) and lazing in the sun. It was hard to say goodbye, but I know we’ll be back. I cried when the plane began it’s taxi down the runway and all of the airport employees were waving goodbye. And then again when I went grocery shopping at home and spotted a sad looking pineapple. :(   Did anyone see a distraught looking blonde lady in Save On Foods recently? That was probably me.

Court and I were fortunate enough to be able to explore the island thoroughly, taking our time and compiling a list of ‘the best’ of Hawaii. For the most part, we went beyond the main tourist attractions, avoiding overpriced tourist traps, and letting our sense of adventure guide us.

What we loved about the Big Island:

  • The eco-diversity – the island has 11 of the earth’s 13 micro-climates!
  • Kohala Coasts white sand beaches; especially Makalawena and Mauna Kea beach. Hot, sunny and dry conditions along the South Kohala coast were a welcomed relief from unpredictable weather on other parts of the island.
  • Lush rainforest valleys, gulches and coastal views along the Hamakua coast.
  • Warm, welcoming locals. Everyone was so nice!
  • The old Kalapana-Kapoho highway aka The Red Road in Puna.
  • Fresh produce and farmers markets, specifically on the east coast. More variety and better prices.
  • The Kings Trail in McKenzie State Park, which leads into a coconut palm forest.
  • Tide pool snorkeling in Kapoho.
  • Waimea, a cool sub-tropical ‘western’ town located among cinder cones.
  • Waipio Valley- on foot. The walk down the steep 4×4 road is worth the effort – you get to enjoy multiple views of the valley and coast on the way down, with a rewarding grey sand beach at the end of the trail.
  • The Aloha. You can feel it. Everywhere.The Big Island has it all, and we often forgot we were on an island. It’s large enough that you can take a lengthy vacation without becoming bored.

The only aspect we didn’t like was the vog, which typically hovers around Kona when the volcanoes are very active. Some days were clearer than others, but it became hazy with cloud overcast everyday in Kona. On the bright side, it’s not difficult to get away from. A half hour drive north usually took us to bright blue skies and clean air. And white sand beaches.

We left with Aloha in our hearts, a lifetimes worth of memories and some pretty impressive tans. Hawaii nurtures the soul, and we learned that even though we can’t stay in paradise forever (maybe one day?!) you can create your own paradise within. I left the island feeling re-energized, grateful and determined to focus on ‘the little things’  that make life great.

So… who wants to come to Maui and Molokai with us? ;)

We Found The Mangoes

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Mango-fans, have you ever noticed that finding a decent mango is like chasing the dragon? A good mango is hard to come by – even in Hawaii. They’re either under-ripe and piney tasting, or over-ripe and piney tasting. In Kona this past week, the markets were overflowing with organic mangoes which sent Court into euphoria. They’re his favourite fruit. I love them as long as they don’t taste like a Christmas tree.

The farmers markets on the Kona coast are geared towards tourists – with crafts, clothing, jewelry, and less fruit and veggie stands. Meh. Give me veggies.  Lots of fresh leis for sale which I can’t resist burying my nose into every time I pass them. Plumerias are my favourite scent -they’re like lilacs… but better.

We had lunch at a wonderful burger place called Annie’s a few days ago. It’s conveniently located next to Island Naturals (our favourite Hawaiian health food store) in Kainaliu. Some guests we met at Ka’awa Loa recommended it, and we weren’t disappointed! The atmosphere was unexpected for a burger restaurant. It’s a partial open-air setting with a casual-contemporary cafe vibe. When we walked in, Tiesto was was blaring throughout the restaurant, and at that moment I knew I was going to love our meal.

We ordered Longboard beers and a bowl of tomato-basil soup to start.

I’d been told the ‘Mala’ burger was amazing, so I had to try it. Chickpea patty seasoned with herbs, topped with tzatziki sauce and lime coleslaw. Purple potato salad on the side.  Sounded promising!  Someone in the kitchen went a little crazy with the sauce in both my burger and salad, which was disappointing. All I could taste was tzatziki.  It was still good and I’d order it again – minus the gallon of dressing.

Court had the ‘South Point’ burger with a side of fries that I helped him devour. His burger was outstanding!

To balance out the salt, we stopped by Gia’s Gelato next door for a scoop of strawberry-lillikoi and mint chocolate.

My gelato was sickeningly sweet and I could only tolerate a few bites. Serious sugar burn in my throat. Lilikoi is already such a naturally sweet nectar that it doesn’t need extra sugar added to it.

Gelato, ice cream or frozen yogurt – what’s your favourite? Fro-yo, hands down! (Yogurtland… taro… mmmm)

Easter In Hawaii

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Happy Easter! Court and I are enjoying a feast over at Kaawa Loa. I want to bring Michael and Greg home with me – they’re both great cooks. My plate is just a small sample of what was on the breakfast buffet. Berry cobbler muffin (fresh from the oven) cheese quiche, smoked salmon, capers and fruit. Courts plate looked like mine except he loaded up on more fruit plus a piece of taro toast with lilikoi butter.

The Easter Bunny visited early this morning, bringing Court some chocolate, and Ka’u oranges and tangelos for me.

Oh hey look! No vog… almost. Blue skies have been a rare sight in Kona this week. And probably for quite some time.

Rainy nights and cool mountain air have made for clear mornings, but it usually ‘vogs’ over by early afternoon. A few days ago it looked like dusk before before 4pm. We haven’t seen a single sunset yet! We’re spending a beach day in South Kohala on Monday, and are hoping to catch a decent vog-free sunset.

Running has been a challenge too – I’ve gone for a couple 2 milers here and there, but at Kawaa Loa’s altitude and muggy air, I don’t have the energy. Instead, I’ve been walking laps up and down the 600 ft incline driveway. It’s quite the burner!

Court and I took advantage of the clear skies on Good Friday. We packed a case of beer and boogie boards then hiked down to our favourite beach where we met up with our Georgia friends.

Beach bum camp

Before we knew it, 7 hours had passed and it was starting to get dark. After a final look, we packed up and hiked back through the lava field desert. Goodbye, Makalawena Beach, you were good to us.

Another thing we took advantage of is Kenichi Pacific’s half price (Happy Hour) sushi rolls. We’ve been in Hawaii since early March and this week was the first time we went out for sushi. Oh, it was fantastic and we loved that fresh snow crab was used in the Rainbow rolls.

I also enjoyed miso soup with clams and chilled sake that was infused with banana, coconut and pineapple.

After polishing off the first platter of rolls, we ordered one more roll, along with sea urchin. It was our first time trying urchin and it was…different. Very different. Lets just say I wouldn’t order it again. Court is still dry heaving and having nightmares from it. I’m still having nightmares from the basketball sized urchins that I saw on a reef a while ago.

We’re off to catch some waves and work up a dinner appetite! We have an Easter date with Sam Choy’s lanai tonight.

Maniniowali Beach

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After the beating we took in the ocean yesterday, Court and I both require deep tissue massages and probably a chiropractic adjustment. What a workout – are we ever sore!  The discomfort was well worth it, though. Our favourite ‘ocean games’ are diving underneath the waves (I love opening my eyes and watching the wave curl over top of me) or just letting myself go limp while the waves toss me around.

When you step onto Maniniowali Beach, you’d think you were setting foot onto a white sand Caribbean beach. It’s a picture-perfect paradise.

The ocean breaks near the shore, and the waves can be powerful. We went mid-morning and by lunch the surf was too strong to continue swimming. This beach needs a lifeguard- I witnessed multiple people getting rocked by the waves and caught in rip tides. I got caught in a strong current just a few feet from the shore. While I was trying to exit the ocean, I was pounded by a set of waves and current that sent me tumbling like a ragdoll. My diamond nose screw got ripped out of my nose! On the bright side, my sinuses received a thorough salt water flush.

One thing we didn’t like about the beach were the amount of people. It could be that it’s Easter week, and there’s been an increase in tourists, but I have a hard time relaxing when there’s too much hustle and bustle.  We like our solitude!

In the evening, we had a fun get-together with the b&b owners, Michael and Greg, two of their friends and another couple that are about the same age as Court and Me. First, we all piled into the outdoor steam sauna where Michael told us hilarious stories about the time he did a Hawaiian cleanse. Afterwards, we made our way to the kitchen for a light dinner Michael had whipped up. Wine and margaritas flowed, and we snacked on sashimi, sushi, salads and cheese. Court and I feel like we’re staying with family. Michael and Greg make everyone feel so welcome and you truly feel like a guest in their home.

A few snack highlights from the past few days:

Guess who was well-behaved at the frozen yogurt bar?! Not Court, that’s for sure. He got chocolate (no surprise there) while I went with plain tart yogurt, fresh fruit and some weird strawberry juice balls.

Liquid vitamins! The multi-green is my favourite Kombucha.

Island Naturals salad bar makes me so happy. My salad had pansies in it! On the side: spicy Thai tofu, vegan red potato salad, squash, beet and cranberry coleslaw.

Hawaiian and Tahitian style poke and taro chips, along with a beer sampler. The Hapa Brown Ale tasted like chocolate!

The remnants of a breakfast pineapple upside down cake. It was demolished in about 5 minutes.  By me.

Cuban Red bananas! We’ve been eating them with breakfast every morning. I can’t believe how excited I am about a banana… but you have to try them to see why.

Cherry Chia Synergy. Love the chia seeds, I’m going to start adding them to my water bottle.

Makalawena Beach

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The quest to discover Hawaii’s ‘best’ beach was accomplished in one day. After what we discovered yesterday, I doubt it can be topped.  We told a fellow b&b couple about our beach experience, and they too had to see it for themselves. At the end of the day, they were ecstatic and ‘couldn’t thank us enough’ for recommending Makalawena beach.

Fine, white sand. Crystal clear turquoise water. Turtles. Snorkeling, boogie boarding and surfing. The best part? There’s hardly anyone there.

Getting to Makalawena beach takes effort. If you have a 4×4, there’s an access road, and is about a 25 minute drive from Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway. If not, there’s access from  Kekaha Kai State Park. A 20 minute hike through a scorching hot lava field will get you there. It’s worth the effort! Closed toed shoes are an absolute must. Bring a picnic lunch and spend the day.

Court and I spent 6 hours swimming, body surfing and playing in the waves. We saw quite a few turtles, including a sunbather. My bathing suit fell off. Again. About 8 times.

Pretty, right? This view is only the beginning of the hike!

See the cooler Court is carrying?  He was so annoyed that he had to carry it, then at the end of the hike he sat on it and it broke into a million pieces.

We saw wild goats – they both had impressive beards. :D

After climbing over unstable loose lava rock and sand dunes, we were welcomed by the softest, whitest sand I’ve ever set foot on.

After a full day of swimming and hiking, we stopped by an oceanfront pub in Kona for a pre-dinner Fire Rock pale ale. Kona has turned me into a beer drinker. It must be the heat, along with the variety of locally brewed beer. One of our favourite brews that we’ve tried is a Kona Brewing Koko Brown Toasted Coconut ale. I can’t handle dark beers, but this one is smooth and creamy like Guiness with a touch of toasted coconut.

Our dinner reservation was at Holuakoa Gardens Cafe, a slow-food establishment using fresh, seasonal ingredients from farms located within a 5 mile radius.  We dined on an outdoor lanai, illuminated by a canopy of mini lights and koi ponds. I was so relaxed by the atmosphere I could’ve fallen asleep at the table. Or maybe because it was 7pm.

This restaurant is comfort food for the health enthusiast. I loved that the dishes actually taste like real food  – fresh vegetables, herbs and spices, rather than a mask of butter, garlic and salt.

Since the restaurant was my brilliant idea, Court let me choose the appetizer: satueed mushroom and onions with cheese toast.

For entrees, I went with handmade potato gnocchi with roasted butternut squash, baby zucchini, sweet peppers, sugar snap peas and cherry tomatoes in an organic tumeric cream sauce. I was in love with my dish, and I want to recreate it in the fall!

Court decided on a cozy meal of red wine slow braised Hawaiian beef brisket. Served on a bed of rainbow carrots, red potatoes, heirloom turnips, cherry tomatoes and caramelized au jus.

Court chose dessert – and despite my strong suggestion to order the butternut squash cheesecake, he chose berry cobbler with ice cream.  After getting back to the b&b, I crashed hard. I slept for almost 10 hours!

Ka’awa Loa in Kona

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Aloha from Kona! Firstly, it’s HOT, dry and unfortunately, voggy. The first day we arrived the vog was so thick we weren’t sure we could last a week in Kona.  Our throats and eyes were irritated and we both had trouble catching our breath. Luckily it has cleared enough to make it tolerable.

Court and I are at a plantation b&b called Ka’awa Loa, which we both love. The owners, Greg and Michael, are wonderful hosts. When they’re not taking care of guests, they’re tending to fruit and coffee crops on the property.

At night, the plantation is illuminated with candles and tiki torches – very cozy.

The resident Border Collie, Betty.

And the resident cat, Dazzle.

My favourite feature at the b&b are the outdoor lava rock showers. A nighttime shower by candlelight is the perfect way to end the day.

All of that grey – vog. You can’t even see the ocean.

We kicked off our first full day in Kona with a beach day at ‘Magic Sands’. Beautiful clean white sand and turquoise water, but it’s a small and busy. On occasion, the tide will sweep all the sand from the beach.

After beach bumming, we headed further into Kailua to get a feel for ‘Kona’ and the tourist scene. After being in rural seclusion for a month, it felt strange to be in crowds! We found an oceanfront pub, and ordered Happy Hour beers and a bucket of shrimp. Court was not impressed with my menu selection.

It was fairly gross. But I also didn’t have high expectations for a $7 shrimp bucket.

This shopping complex made my afternoon: a running store and a frozen yogurt place – side by side!

This week is dedicated to exploring beaches. So many beaches, so little time. We’re on a mission to discover ‘the best one’.

One Last….

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Sunday marked our last day in Puna, and I was sad to say goodbye to yet another piece of Hawaii that has captured my heart. We took in one last sunrise…

One last perfectly timed rainbow.

One last run down the Red Road. It started pouring halfway into my run and aside from my soggy shoes, it felt amazing! Court picked me up 5 miles in. While I was running, he ate a banana muffin and sipped hot coffee at Hale Aloha. Jerk.

One last breakfast on the patio.

A final teamwork coconut harvest. Coconut water = natures Gatorade.

One last cottage dinner – tempeh tacos and roasted veg.

And one last trip to Yogurtland. Can you tell which cup belongs to who? :)

Remember my plan to only get Taro this time? Well, that didn’t happen. I had the most random yet awesome (and disgusting) tub of yogurt. I should not be left unsupervised at a self serve dessert bar.

My fro-yo flavours:
Taro (still my #1 love. It actually tastes like roasted Taro with a hint of toasted coconut)
Peanut Butter and Jelly (bleh)
Oatmeal Cookie (really good!)
Cookies & Cream (underwhelming)
Lucky Mint Cream (amazing!)
Arctic Vanilla
Dutch Chocolate

Then, the toppings, strategically arranged on certain flavours. Oreo crumbles on the Lucky Mint Cream, Cinnamon Toast Crunch on the Oatmeal Cookie, Skor, cheesecake bites and mochi on… I don’t even know.

I should’ve just gone with Taro.  I miss eating it.

Doesn’t Courts cup look so proper?


He got Dutch Chocolate, Taro and Cookies & Cream with his beloved chocolate toppings: chips, caramel bites, cookie dough balls and brownie bites.

I balanced out my yogurt binge with a big green salad from Island Naturals.

What I loved most about Puna:

Without a doubt, the rainforest. I’m the type of person who thrives in nature, and I feel at peace when I’m surrounded by foliage. Whether it’s palm trees or pine trees (preferably palms) or even a garden, I’m happy.

The old Kapoho-Kalapana highway aka ‘The Red Road’. Driving down it everyday was incredible, but running on it provided a whole new perspective. I felt more connected with the universe. Oh my, I think Puna has gotten to me.

The friendly locals. I’m not sure what the locals in Kona are like, but in Puna (the entire east coast, actually) everyone was so warm and welcoming.

Paolo’s Bistro in Pahoa. Who would’ve thought we’d find amazing, authentic Italian food in Hawaii?

The lack of commercial development and tourists. Quiet, calm, and serene, it’s the ultimate place to ‘get away from it all.’

What I Won’t MIss:
Mildew, mosquitoes, and having to take the garbage out multiple times a day. Food spoils quick in humidity!

See you in a bit from Kona!

(Hawaiian) Foodie Highlights

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Pre-run fuel: 1 apple banana, pineapple, raw hemp, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, almonds with a splash of almond milk and a Yogurtland spoon.

Court picked me up 6 miles in and I immediately chugged 1L of water mixed with Emergen-C. Oh, my poor stomach. Must remember to hydrate slowly.

We then drove to Pahoa for one last small grocery haul at Island Naturals. In the box:

Eggs, taco shells, tomatoes, purple carrots, red Cuban bananas, sprouts, papaya, spinach and banana bread.

These bananas were a first for me – yum! The fruit is an orange hue. I immediately chopped one up and froze it in preparation for a smoothie.

While I waited for my banana to freeze, I snacked on a piece of Buddha Belly Baker ‘Bomb Banana Bread’ with peanut butter.  Bomb is right. It’s delicious, and has a pretty decent ingredient list.

Then it was time to whip up my lunch smoothie:

6 ice cubes
1 1/2  small frozen bananas
2 cups spinach
2 tbsp hemp protein
1/2 cup almond milk
1 tbsp raw hemp seeds

I ate it with a spoon, in my swimsuit, standing on a lava cliff.

After digesting, we stopped by ‘Green Lake’ a freshwater lake located inside a crater. It’s on private property, and reservations have to be made ahead of time, followed by a $5 donation. The lake is surrounded by a wall of tropical foliage, and you can hike from the lake up to a summit with 360 degree panoramic views of the area.

Green Lake ended up being… in full algae bloom, and neither of us were about to get our legs tangled in weeds (is there anything more terrifying than lake seaweed?) while swimming, so we chose to hike around the area, then drive up the summit.

We spent the remainder of the afternoon prepping snacks and meals with our remaining produce. Fresh squeezed orange juice and pink grapefruit wedges made for a refreshing afternoon snack.

A few more recent meals/foodie highlights:

Roasted sweet potatoes and onion, roasted green beans, organic tenderloin steak, greens and basil dressing.

I love these raw chocolate ‘cookies’. They’re great for satisfying an emergency chocolate craving.

Power breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs, 1/4 cup cooked quinoa, sauteed onion, zucchini and tomato with basil pesto.

Maui Blanc pineapple wine. It’s so light and refreshing, and it’s really easy to drink an entire bottle with dinner.

What are you snacking on this weekend, friends?

Maybe It’s The Aloha

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I picked these flowers from the side of the highway. Aren’t they gorgeous? I made a beautiful bouquet for the patio table at the cottage.

I don’t know what it is about Hawaii, but my running capabilities have drastically improved. I initially thought running in heat and humidity would be tough (sometimes it’s uncomfortable in the sun) but I’m running faster, longer, and pain-free. It’s easier to breathe, and it just feels… effortless. Even on roads with multiple hills.  I’m not developing any muscle stiffness or soreness, and my IT band issues have subsided. Maybe the heat and humidity is keeping my muscles and joints loose and limber?   Or maybe it’s the Aloha? ;)

I can’t get over how friendly the locals are either. Nearly every passing vehicle offers a smile, shaka, wave or my favourite – an ultra-enthusiastic thumbs up which came shooting out the drivers side window  (from an old man… thanks, friend.)

Yesterday morning, I ran 5 miles in under 45 minutes to Kalani, where I met Court. I actually beat him there! (He drove. I told him to give me a 30 min head start.) I credit the  banana bread I ate earlier that morning. It was like rocket fuel for my legs.

We brought home a new friend from Kalani’s cafe, Hale Aloha. Vanilla Cherry Chocolate Chip.

One of the owners recommended we try it. “The cherries are so…. alive!” he said. Alright, if you insist. Twist my rubber arm. Court was in heaven – he’s obsessed with chocolate chips.

Since we’re leaving Puna soon, we decided to go say goodbye to Paolo and his amazing restaurant.

Court and I both ordered ono, (one poached, one pan fried) with a tomato basil sauce and fresh rosemary, seasonal veggies tossed in olive oil and a side of basil pesto penne. “The love is in the pasta” I kept saying during our meal. I liked watching and listening to first time diners reactions, too.  And eavesdropping on Paolo’s conversations with other patrons. So.not.creepy….

We chatted with Paolo after, and asked him for advice on Big Island restaurants he likes to eat at. We’re going to miss his food!

During the week, we went snorkeling at the Kapoho tide pools. From the parking lot, it appears to be your average lava rock tide pools. But beneath the surface  it’s a massive coral reef sanctuary. The pools are deep and filled with all kinds of coral, caves and an unreal variety of marine life. Tons of channels to explore, with each one leading to a new pool. Court and I liked swimming out to the ocean break and letting the current carry us back in.

We also bought lunch dining passes and went for a fresh, healthy lunch at Kalani Oceanside Retreat. It’s on 120 acres of land and they’ve created a sustainable eco-reserve/spiritual retreat. It’s basically like a wellness camp for adults.

Meals are served buffet style, and along with sandwich fixings on millet bread, I loaded my plate with white bean salad, hummus, cucumber & mint salad, kimchi, and the most delicious tomato soup. Court and I shared a glass of lightly sweetened lilikoi tea.

We’ve been well nourished on this trip, that’s for sure. We’re glowing from the inside out!

Waipio Valley

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I ate a balanced dinner at Yogurtland on Wednesday night. Balanced meaning I had four flavours of frozen yogurt: Toasted Coconut, Kona Coffee, Devils Food Cupcake Batter and my favourite, Taro. Then, I added toppings ‘in moderation’ to the chocolate ice cream only. Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Oreo, cheesecake bites and toffee. For dessert, I put sprinkles on the Taro fro-yo.  Oh, the lies I tell myself. Am I a sociopath?

Court got Devils Food Cupcake Batter, Toasted Coconut and Red Velvet, topped with brownies bites and chocolate chips. Chocolate overload in my opinion.

In all fairness, Court and I had just spent half a day hiking through Waipio Valley and the yogurt was supposed to be an afternoon treat. Then we realized it was 5pm and I had ruined my dinner appetite. Worth it! It was our very first trip to Yogurtland and it’s all I’ve talked about since then. I’ve already decided I’m getting *just* Taro next time and loading it with fruit. Oooh, I bet it would be good with mini marshmallows and shredded coconut.

Some highlights from Waipio Valley:

You need a 4×4 vehicle to get down into the valley. Not an AWD, 4×4 only. The road is no joke, it’s like trying to drive down an alpine ski jump. The vehicles that passed us on the road all sounded like the transmissions were going to blow.

We felt adventurous (and healthy) enough to hike down the road, and descending seemed to take more effort that going back up since you’re constantly bracing yourself. Sore quads today!

Waipio Valley is privately owned land, so you have to be careful not to trespass (or at least ask permission.) Once we entered the valley, we walked along a back road towards a waterfall, passing taro fields, wild horses and farms along the way. Portions of the road were washed out from recent flooding, so our hiking trails were limited, but we made it to the grey sand beach where we watched the surf pound the coast.

My outdoor fashion sense is amazing. Just gorgeous.

Our early afternoon snacks:

I was so excited to try the new Luna bar flavour – it’s good, but White Chocolate Macadamia and Peanut Butter Cookie are still #1.

As expected, the hike back up was a challenge, but we welcomed the exercise. After that, I probably won’t have to do squats or lunges for a year! It actually wasn’t that bad. I went for an easy 3 mile run later that evening.

The drive along the Hamakua coast is a must on the Big Island. As you descend from a higher altitude, the land transitions from ranch land to thick jungle. The best part of the drive are the numerous gulches and valleys – filled with waterfalls, lush vegetation and tons of palm trees.

Palm tree paradise?

We’re leaving Puna soon (Sunday is our last day) and we’re a little said to say goodbye to the cottage, and what’s been our ‘home away from home’ for the past month. South Kona is up next, and even though I’m excited to see what the west coast has to offer, I’m sure going to miss the jungle.