The Big Island Hawaii
Can we talk about Hawaii? Oh my…it truly is paradise. This was our first trip, and we both fell in love with everything over there. We made another fun video of the complete highlights of our trip. All shot with our iPhones and a flip camera…and sometimes with the best little underwater iPhone case that was worth every penny.
This trip was an incentive trip with Kyle’s work, and we also used it as a fun way to celebrate our 15 year anniversary (6 months early) and Kyle’s birthday…two birds with one stone. Snorkeling on your birthday has got to be one of his best birthdays yet.
We spent our entire trip on the Big Island of Hawaii. The minute you step off of the plane and right onto the tarmac, you just feel it…and smell it, so fragrant. I just love how the airport is outside, no big terminals to walk through.
We stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa Village which in itself is a site to see. It was grand and beautiful and definitely played a big part in our overall love for the island and our trip overall. If you have the chance to stay there, I would highly recommend it.
While out adventuring one day, we asked some locals for recommendations for a good beach and they asked us where we were staying. We told them that we were at the Waikoloa Hilton and they replied with “Well, there’s your beach!” I really liked hearing this, in that we didn’t need to travel too far in search of a good beach. The hotel sits on a cove and they’ve created a safe beach environment.
The views are pretty spectacular. One night we ate at a restaurant on property: KPC (Kamuela Provision Company) which was excellent. We sat outside overlooking the ocean. I had one of those “pinch me” moments. I felt as if we were on the Bachelor tv show or something. It was so fun.
Every morning, we had the hotel breakfast buffet which had THE most delicious donuts I have ever had…think Krispy Kreme style, only better.
There were dolphins on property as well. For a fee you could have a dolphin experience. We didn’t do it, but we loved watching them everyday.
And… they had pink flamingos too! How cute are pink flamingos?! Not really a native bird, but still neat to see up close (through the glass).
While driving, we saw a big dog riding on a bullet bike with his owner on the highway. We were dying! This big furry dog was just hugging his main man as they cruised down the highway. It was a site to see for sure.
Black lava rock everywhere! We loved learning about the island. One side is completely dry (the Kona side) and the other pure wet jungle (the Hilo side). It is like day and night when you cross over from one side to the other. One side gets hardly any rain and the other…it rains all the time.
Probably the neatest thing we did was a guided night snorkel to see Manta Rays. These giant fish eat tiny plankton and once they turn on their big lights in the ocean, the lights attract the plankton and the plankton attract the Manta Rays. It was an amazing experience. I felt a little nervous about being in the ocean in the dark, but yet you feel safe at the same time. These big gentle giants swim right up near you as they feast on tiny little plankton. You can see the Manta Ray experience on video here.
It was an amazing trip, thanks to my favorite travel buddy. I sure do love this guy. It’s not often that we get to travel just the two of us. We just soaked it all in…together.
Thanks for letting me share the highlights of our Big Island adventure! Have you been to the Big Island of Hawaii? I’d love to hear what you loved about it.
*Today is our daughter Afton’s birthday. I’m in shock that it’s been 2 years since she passed already. I have so many emotions and thoughts going on. Hopefully I can get my thoughts together enough to share tomorrow.
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