Kona, the BIG Island!

I just realized it has been 2 weeks since my last post, so sorry dear readers.  However, I do have a spectacular location to talk to you about today, Kona, Hawaii!  Kona is the leeward side of the big island.  We had visited Hilo and the Volcanoes National Park the day before, and now we were off to do some snorkeling.  First, a little about Kona and the Big Island

Hawaii Island isn’t just big, it’s still growing. The Island of Hawaii is the youngest island in the Hawaiian chain and is also by far the biggest, providing a vast canvas of environments to discover a variety of unrivaled natural wonders. This is the home of one of the world’s most active volcanoes (Kilauea) which we covered in my last post, the tallest sea mountain in the world at more than 33,000 feet (Maunakea), the most massive mountain in the world (Maunaloa) and the largest park in the state (Hawaii Volcanoes National Park). All but two of the world’s climate zones generate everything from lush rain forests to volcanic deserts, snow-capped mountaintops to beautiful black sand beaches. 

CJS and I found a great little company called SeaQuest.  Upon researching several different companies for smaller snorkel tours, we read that SeaQuest has been providing rafting and snorkeling adventures along the Kona Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii since 1989.They offered a great snorkeling package that included  snorkel  stops at Kealakekua Bay, site of the Captain Cook Monument which is located on the site of the former Hawaiian village of Kaawaloa. Kealakekua Bay and Ka`awaloa are one of the most historic places in the state of HawaiI, and, according to Hawaii - The Big Island Revealed, The Ultimate Guidebook, ``Snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay near the monument is perhaps the best you will find anywhere in the state. If you`ve never snorkeled before, this is the place to start. Experienced snorkelers will be dazzled.`` Kealakekua Bay has been a marine sanctuary for over thirty years, typically has visibility in excess of 100 feet, and is home to beautiful tropical fish and thriving coral gardens. It is also extremely well protected from the open ocean so it offers a safe and comfortable environment.












These two pictures above & to the right, are from the Sea Quest website.  Included here to show you the boat you will be in if you choose to do this tour.  It's a Zodiac style - I think of it as a 'Navy Seal' type vessel - LOL.  

They do have a nice aluminum ladder so it's east to get back in the raft after snorkeling.  Going on this tour allowed us to go places sailboats, catamarans & big 'cattle boats' can not go (which was why we picked Sea Quest).  

CJS and here Pink gear

 

Our first stop was Honaunau 'Place of Refuge".  On our way there we saw a school of spinner Dolphins, which was exhilarating!

  

We found good snorkeling at Honaunu with plentiful fish and amazing coral.

    

The picture of the Yellow Tang & coral were taken with a cheap throw away underwater camera.  Next time I snorkel, I will be taking a better camera!  (note: Tahiti April 2014 - come back to my site for a full report!)

We did three different snorkel sites with Sea Quest. 

 Each time we got back on the raft, there was fresh food waiting for us.  The first time we got out of the water, there was fresh fruit in wooden bowls shaped like fish. Water, juice and soda was abundantly available. The captain and first mate were excellent, very knowledgeable and helpful.  

After our second snorkel with had lunch.  All lovely and fresh.  Sea Quest took great care of us on this day long adventure.

Our final stop on the snorkel trip was Kealakekua Bay.  This area was spectacular with every kind of fish you could imagine!  We say a Moray eel, yellow tangs, Morrish Idols, and both male & female Parrot Fish!     

me, snorkeling along!

yes, some coral bit me!

The water in Kealakekua Bay starts out being pretty shallow along the coast line & is just teaming with fish.  You swim just a few yards and you will see a drop off where there is a ledge and the water suddenly drops to 100 feet deep and then 200 feet deep!  It is amazingly clear!  Here is a little history on Captain Cook & the bay where his monument now stands in Kealakekua Bay, from 'Go Hawaii":

Kealakekua Bay is an important historic location because it marks the site where the first westerner, Captain James Cook, landed on Hawaii Island. Cook was the first British explorer to establish contact with the Hawaiian Islands in 1778 on Kauai. Only a year later, he was killed in a skirmish with native Hawaiians right here in Kealakekua Bay. A white obelisk on the shore of Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park memorializes his death.

Overall, it was a very full day and some fantastic snorkeling.  If you are in Kona, and want this smaller more private snorkel, you can not go wrong with the Sea Quest Crew.  They were excellent!  

While on Kona:
Do this:  Go to Kealakekua Bay by land or sea!
Helpful website: http://www.seaquesthawaii.com/

Until next time, 
safe travels!
Susan

The Kilauea Volcano Bike tour on Hilo

 
After 2 glorious days in Maui we sailed over night to Hilo.  I really wanted to do the bike ride from the Kilauea Volcano and CJS wanted to see the town, and take it easier after all our heavy-duty touring in Maui.  So I took the tour through the cruise ship because it was easy, and I do not think too expensive.  

                              There were about 8 of us on this trip.  The van pulled up right at the cruise ship terminal and picked us up.  It was about a 45 minute ride to get to Kilauea.  The fascinating thing about biking from Kilauea down through the rain forest is the change in the landscape as you ride along.  The Kilauea Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes on earth  It is located 30 miles from Hilo where your ship docks.

The volcano is located in Hawaii Volcano National Park on Hilo.  You start your tour at the Kilauea Visitor Center.  You will spend a little time at the center with your guide, they have films that introduce you to the park, there are Ranger Talks through out the day and several displays showing the history of Volcano's.  

There are several bike tour companies, and I did not do my usual research, so I just got really lucky because we had a fantastic guide, named Daniel, who you could tell loved his job.  

a week after we were there!

one of our 2 guides

You will spend time around the Crater then begin your ride.  It is a very dramatic ride. Kilauea was not erupting while I was there (just a lot of smoke), but one week after I did this ride, it began an eruption, with is still currently going on.  They say it could continue for years or stop tomorrow, but it was wild to see the pictures of the eruption on TV knowing that I had been at the craters edge the week before.

        You bike around the rim of the crater on off road trails & paved 
 roads,  It is not a difficult ride.  Besides your guide, there is a follow van, so if for any reason you need to stop, it is no problem, you can always take a break in the van.  Periodically throughout the tour, our guide would tell us about the geological scenery we were experiencing. I was wonderful that he also included information on the Mythology of Hawaiian cultures and how they viewed the volcanos.  

After biking the trails around the summit of the crater, you begin your journey down through the lucsh Hawaiian rainforest.  We made several stops along the way, where Daniel related botanical facts to us about what were were seeing.

We took a short hike to the Thurston Lava Tube.  This 500 year old lava cave was formed with a river of lava gradually builds solid walls & a ceiling.  

Entrance to Lava tube

Our group coming out of the tube

          












When the lava flow stops & the last of it passes down hill, a cave is formed.  The Thurston Lava Tube is a fantastic example of a huge lava cave.             It is lit by electric lights with a flat rock floor.  The ceiling is high enough for you to walk through.  The solidified drips & waves of the once hot liquid lava clearly show the molten forces that created the cave.  It is full of beautiful colors of minerals in the rocks.  After walking through a short lighted section there is another section that is a little uneven on the floor and darker, walk about 50 yards or so int to the tube and it leads to a lush tropical rainforest.  So intensely beautiful.




Below is Daniel explaining how this beautiful plant, Yellow Ginger is bad for the rain forest because of its invasive root system.  As I am a gardener and a plant-lover, I found it interesting that they are trying to eradicate this plant from the rain forest.  It is not native to this area.

More beautiful pictures from the rain forest.  I am not a great photographer like CJS, but since she was not on this ride, I did my best to capture the feel of it

Me sitting on a lava 'mushroom'

a couple from our group exploring a lava field

This was pretty much a full day adventure.  It is about 45 minutes to Volcano National Park, the ride is about 5 - 6 hours depending on stops & questions.  I do recommend you go to Volcano National Park one way or another if you have the opportunity.  You will see a live volcano and the effects of lava and ash on the environment.  You learn so much in a fun relaxing way, it's a blast!




While in Hilo:

Do this:   Visit Volcano National Park. 
See this:  Kilauea & the Rain forest
Take:        A bike ride through if you can or
take a van tour - either way, the sites are amazing!

Until next time, Travel Safe! 

Maui Day 2 - we take to the water

Hello and Happy Labor Day weekend!

Today I am going to tell you about a fabulous Catamaran call the Trilogy.  The company was recommended by a friend who goes to the Hawaiian Islands every year and has taken their snorkeling trip to the Molokini Crater.  I'll just tell you up front here -- it was a magnificent day of sailing!

approaching  Molokini

We had to get up at the crack of dawn to drive to the small boat harbor where the Trilogy docks.  We still had our rental car from the day before, we were off the boat at 6:30 am to give ourselves plenty of time to get lost! We were to board by 7 am and take off by 7:30pm.  From the cruise ship dock to the small ship dock is not far, but make sure you have really good directions, the turn-off to the harbor is not clearly marked.

To snorkel the Molokini Crater is on many peoples list when going to Maui.  There are many operators to choose from.  We picked Trilogy based on a recommendation from a fellow traveler.  We were so pleased that we did.  First off Trilogy is smaller than the 'cattle boats' that take people out.  I prefer smaller groups, as I think you get better service.  Trilogy only takes 40 - 50 passengers per trip.  We had about 35 or so on our snorkel.   Secondly, Trilogy doesn't just do Molokini (which in and of itself is spectacular), they do a second snorkel after lunch, so you really get the best day of snorkeling.  Third, you have one of the nicest and more friendly crews I've ever sailed with.  They take great care of their guests and are extremely safety conscience.  And finally, the food we were served was fantastic!




After everyone boarded and we had pulled out in to Ma'alaea Bay, out comes the crew with hot, fresh, sticky, yummy cinnamon rolls and juices.  Just the smell alone was enough for everyone to almost jump the server!  This really hits the spot at 7:30 in the morning as you are sailing on a large catamaran it to the beautiful bay.


The Molokini Crater is a crescent-shaped volcanic crater that is partially submerged.   The crescent shape protects snorkelers from waves and stronger currents so it is an ideal place to snorkel (and dive too if you are in to it).  The visibility is excellent and the best time to do the crater is in the AM when it is clearest - as much as 150 feet of visibility!  There are trips that will take you there in the afternoon, but do the morning time if at all possible.

This is the Molokini Crater.  Photo below from Google Images.  You'd need a helicopter  for this shot and that does not come until later in our trip!

There are over 200 species of fish to be seen here.  Some of the most common are:  Parrotfish, Butterflyfish, Yellow Tang, Moorish Idol, Trigger fish and so many more.  There is also many types of coral to see.  Because the site is such a popular attraction the fish do not seem to mind the presence of the snorkelers.  Please remember that this site is part of the Hawaii State Seabird Sanctuary and the Hawaii State Division of Boating has established mooring buoys & Day use rules - no dropping anchor if you choose to take your own boat out.

When we arrived at the Crater, I was impressed with the Crew's safety precautions.  They provide snorkel gear for those who need it, but I noticed most everyone had their own gear.  They gave very one snorkel vests, had one crew member on a board in the water with us at all time, with the other crew members on the boat watching.

The steps on the back of the CAT were easy to use and getting in to the water, no problem.
The trip is two snorkels at Molokini, and then a snorkel at a site they called 'The Three Fingers.


I just have to show you some more pictures because words will not do this snorkel trip any justice.  It was a magnificent day, clear sky's, fantastic visibility in the water, and a fun & good looking :-)  crew!

After lunch we headed over to the three fingers.  This site is were there are three fingers of Lava with lots of sea life and turtles.  And yes - I did get a turtle picture with my cheap underwater camera!  

The following pictures are from my $9.99 Target underwater camera.  I promise you faithful readers that next April when we go to Tahiti, there will be a really good underwater camera for some spectacular underwater shots, but for now, these are what I have to share with you.  It was a magnificent snorkel and I loved every minute of it.  Always one of the last out of the water!

Me, picture by CJS on my cheapie camera

I think CJS snapped this too as it is a much better shot than I would take

 After a fantastic day of snorkeling, and a tasty B-B-Q lunch, we headed back in to base.  I really could have stayed out all day.  If I ever have the opportunity to be in Maui again, I am going to save my pennies for a private charter that will take us out all day and we can stay and explore until we can't swim any more!

Once back on shore, we did a little driving tour on our own before turning our rental car in.  By the time we were back aboard the Pride of America, we were truly exhausted from a fantastic day.

When in Maui.....
Do this:              Snorkel or Dive the Molokini Crater
Don't forget:     A good underwater camera as well as your regular camera
Do:                     If you are there for more than a day, rent a car - it's handy and pretty cheap

Until next time, safe travels