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Hawaiian Fruit Addicts

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Good Morning/Afternoon?
Pre-run:

Post run:

I ran about 4 miles – to the public lava viewing area in Kalapana and back. I came home a sweaty mess. Literally drenched from head to toe. (My forearms and calves were sweating!) Gorgeous.

Later in the day, Court and I packed a picnic lunch and 4×4′d down into the coconut palm forest. Avocados are in season right now, and are ridiculously inexpensive. (25 cents – from a fruit stand or farmers market.) They’re so soft and buttery, and don’t require any ‘fork mashing’ preparation – just scoop and spread. (I already have plans to make an avocado ‘cream’ sauce for pasta this week!)

My version of egg salad: 2 eggs, mustard, salt & pepper, goat cheese, sliced olives and green onion. Topped with sprouts and lettuce.

With the exception of two hikers on the lava cliffs, we didn’t see anyone else for the entire afternoon. That’s one of the things I love about the Big Island; you rarely feel overcrowded or overwhelmed by tourists. I think a lot of people miss out on some of the best things to see and do when visiting. I’ve found myself saying “Think about how many people don’t even know about this!” numerous times.

On our way home, we stopped by a fruit stand and picked up 10 rambutan, 2 avocados, 1 large guava, 2 huge limes (the size of small oranges) and a lilikoi for a whopping $3. Filled the cars glove box right up! :)

I LOVE LILIKOI! Sweet, gooey, juicy nectar.

Our dinner plans to eat at the Kalapana farmers market changed once it started to torrential downpour, and decided to drive to Pahoa instead. After turning to my Bible, Trip Advisor for dining advice, we chose an Italian bistro (best decision ever, but more about that later.)

Before leaving Kaimu, we stopped by the market to pick up pineapple, and as usual, Court and I lost control at the sight of fresh produce. Help us!

Within 2 minutes we had:

4 pineapple
3 ‘Ice Cream’ bananas
1 grapefruit
3 oranges
4 heirloom tomatoes
4 papayas
1 lb green beans
1 mango
3/4 lb ahi poke

Good, Lord.

We have two days to eat mostly everything before the weekend markets!

First Impressions

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I haven’t stopped smiling since we stepped off the plane last night, and am loving everything about the Big Island so far.  Court and I are soaking up some sun at the Hapuna Beach Prince Resort for two days before moving on to our next destination. (I’m really excited to share it on the blog!) By the time we reached the hotel, it was nearly midnight (but felt like 3am) and we were beyond exhausted.  We were welcomed with glasses of fresh pineapple juice and an ocean view room upgrade. Yes, please!

Court and I were both delirious from sleep deprivation, but we somehow found the energy to find a snack (veggie wrap) and eat it on the beach in pitch black darkness.Then we took some completely pointless and awkward photos.

Once we were (safely) back in our room (I’m surprised Court didn’t try to go for a night swim) we collapsed into bed. I woke up around 6am to what sounded like gale force chinook wind, but remembered it was the sound of ocean waves breaking on the shore. Oh, happiness.

I slipped out of bed, into my running gear (minus the shoes), and headed straight for the beach. I set out sprinting across the one mile stretch of sand, feeling euphoric and free.  Slowly, the sun began to peak through a grove of coconut palms, transforming the sky from pale grey to baby blue.  As I propelled myself through the sand, I was unstoppable and light as air. On my third lap down the beach, a man nearby called out to me. “Hey, do you wanna see something neat?” Under normal circumstances, this would’ve freaked me out, but I didn’t get that type of vibe. “Yes!” and I jogged over to where he was standing. He pointed to a shallow tide pool filled with a school of fish. “I’ve been waiting to show this to someone. Look. Gobis. They’re hiding from predators” he explained.    Well, now my bucket list is complete.

Some views from my morning run:

I can’t get over how beautiful the beaches are on this part of the Big Island. Miles of pristine white sand and calm, shallow water. My heart is so happy!