Day 7: Drive from Hilo to Kona, along East Coast/Hamakua region and North/Kohala region

 March16

Our first stop was at Kolekole Gulch Park, where we saw this waterfall.

While there, we watched somebody surfing. 

Our next stop was Waikaumalo Park where we saw vines with these flowers (we posed with flowers that were already on the ground).

A nice stream ran through this park.

Our next stop was Hakalau beach.

As we drove further up the coast, I searched for other beaches and parks to visit. We didn't realize that the detour to Hauola Forest Reserve near Paauilo would lead to an off-road adventure that also took us alongside macadamia nut orchards and beef cattle farms.

Once we were back on actual roads, we drove to Waipiʻo Valley, on the Hāmākua Coast to see the amazing landscape.

We then drove inland, towards Weimea.

Once we reached Weimea, we stopped for lunch at the Big Island Brewery, 

Where we enjoyed fish bites (nuggets), an ahi poke taco, and a poke bowl.

After lunch, Steve poked his head into the brewery.

From there, we drove further north, through the rangeland

We stopped at Kēōkea Beach Park to enjoy the scenery.

Kēōkea Beach Park

From there, we drove to Laupāhoehoe Point

Laupāhoehoe Point

As we headed back down the western coast towards Kona, we stopped at Kapa'a Beach Park to stretch our legs. I liked all the trees and old wood near the beach.

We ended the day with dinner and drinks at Sunset Kai Lanai

Day 8: Visit beaches on South Kona Coast

 March 17

Today we stayed in the Kona area.

We started the morning by relaxing/snorkeling at Pae'a (2-step beach) in Honaunau Bay.

There were lots of signs telling you where to get into the water - and a single line.

Snorkel pictures taken with the GoPro

We then stopped at a bee farm to take a tour and taste honey, but it was really busy so we left.

We also spotted this mural painted on a hillside.

We decided to have lunch at Kona Brewing.

We started with tuna tartare and I ordered a Big Wave, while Steve tried multiple samples of the beer.

Steve had the seered ahi tuna.

I had the fish tacos on ube tortillas.

We made a quick stop at Costco to fill the car with gas, pick up dinner and tomorrow's lunch for the plane, then dropped it off at the condo.

We then drove to Keauhou Bay Beach in the late afternoon for more beach time/snorkeling.

We spent the evening packing for our flight early tomorrow morning.

And ate Costco sushi for dinner.

March 18 

Today we got up early and headed to the airport for our flight home.

Australia - (cancelled Queensland Cruise -March 5-18, 2025)

I normally don't post information on cancelled plans, but I really looked forward to taking this trip :-( 

Last year when I booked our cruise to Mexico, I also found a fantastic rate for a cruise along the east coast of Australia. We weren't sure we were even going to like cruising enough to go, but the final payment wasn't due until after we returned from Mexico, so I figured we could always cancel. Luckily, we both enjoyed it enough to go on another one.

The plan was to fly from PHX to SFO to Auckland NZ, to Sydney. We chose this route for two reasons - it was one of the cheapest flights at the time we booked, plus we wanted to try skycouch on Air New Zealand. 

Unfortunately, when we tried to cancel my husband's flight (long story ...), I discovered that my skycouch seats would also get cancelled and I would be in a middle seat for the 12 hour flight! That wasn't going to happen, so I ended up cancelling the flight, with the intention of booking a different flight for just me.

Additionally, cyclone Alfred is heading toward Brisbane, and there is a strong possibility of cancelled ports and rough seas/murky water that would impact snorkeling. As a result, we ultimately decided to cancel the whole trip for both of us and get as many refunds/credits as possible.

This was the itinerary for our planned (cancelled) cruise:

March 7 - Arrive in Sydney

March 8 - begin cruise from Sydney

March 9 - sea day

March 10 - Moreton Island/Tangalooma (snorkel at the wrecks) - I heard this port was cancelled 

March 11 - sea day

March 12 - Airlie Beach - we booked a snorkeling excursion (Ocean Rafting Marine Safari) to the Whitsundays in the Great Barrier Reef 

March 13 - Cairns - we booked an excursion to Kuranda, the scenic railway, and the Skyrail Rain Forest Cableway

March 14 - Port Douglas- we booked a snorkeling excursion to take a sailing catamaran to the Low Isles on the Great Barrier Reef

March 15-16 - sea days (one is a sail-by of Willis Island, which counts as international waters so the ship can run the casino)

March 17 - Brisbane  (disembark)

March 18 - flight home

Time to start planning the replacement trip!

Mexican Riviera Cruise (November 11-21, 2024)

We decided to take a 10-day Mexican Riviera Cruise on the Majestic Princess. We left from San Pedro, CA. Here is the itinerary (With Mazatlan at the end and no stop atLa Paz).

After dropping off our luggage, we decided to visit the USS Iowa.

After boarding, we had lunch, unpacked, and relaxed. 

Catalina Island at sunset