Big Island, Hawaii

Why Hawaii you ask? Coz post Covid, flying to Hawaii was the popular way to remember what flying felt like! 😀

It took life after Covid to make me realize what Shakespeare truly meant when he penned the heavily used line, to be or not to be. Only now it was to fly or not to fly. 😀 My DH & I were plain overwhelmed by the worries yet excitement, fear yet anticipation of flying after-somewhat during Covid. But, being avid travelers, it has been just way too long we hadn't felt the thrill a simple boarding pass can actually bring. With that, we slowly started exploring ticket prices, options and inched our way to booking our flight to Hawaii or as our 5 year ol' Abesh was promptly calling it. H-oo-wa-yee. My father, who we were meeting after three whole years was also a part of the pack this time. 

Due to all the uncertainty that surrounds us in this new found normal, we kept it as a surprise for the kids to save them the heart break in a just-in-case scenario. Luckily, none of us had to a go thru a heart break and before long we were sending emails to their teachers about excusing them for two days. 

Day 1: Wings to Hawaii   

To Fly or Not To Fly

The first day always means the first journey of the adventure. The kids were simply overjoyed and of course over excited that we would be back in skies after 3.something long years. Luggages checked in & boarding passes in hand, we couldn't stop smiling all the way to our gate. I might be over explaining a very simple everyday emotion here, but, the thrill was such that I simply can't help myself as I think back. 

My DH has come up with these pesto-cheese-tomatoe-ham sandwiches which work like a charm on everyone, including over excited hungry kids. They're so our to go food now for picnics, flights, journeys. Sleeping some, playing some, chatting some, munching some, soon we were flying over the blue waters & palm tree specked beaches of Big Island, H-oo-wa-yee. Vaccination proof submitted, we passed the Covid check post. Expect like a 10 - 20 mins of wait time in the line there. The quaint huts that actually are the airport inject the laid back emotion from the moment you land there. 

Oh Hi, Big Turtle!

We picked our rental car (which are killer expensive in these post covid shortage era). But, no, we did not make our way to our abode for the night. Instead we went straight to the Alula Beach. Many also call it the Turtle Beach and rightfully so. It's a small 5 mins hike from the parking to the beach itself thru shady trees and sand. The fears, the worries, the panic all left us as we finally dipped our feet into the waters there in H-oo-wa-yee. Some sunk into the sands, some strode into the waters, some jumped on the lava rocks - each letting it all go in that one moment. Soon the kids & DH had found a few green turtles swimming, honestly more like floating, in the water. We all went over to say our hellos.

Finally, we were able to drag the kids away from the beach, and back in the cars it was dinner time. Not wanting anything fancy, we actually decided to tuck in at the L&L Hawaiian barbecue. Later, we found they are actually a local chain. Chain or not, I would recommend this place. Good food for your money's worth. The kids had their usual mixed fried rice & my DH tried a loco moco, which is a local speciality. All good & recommended. 

Fed, watered, tired yet happy we started the drive towards our airbnb at Hilo. It was about an hour or so drive away from the Kona airport/Alula Beach. But, night just didn't end there. Once at our airbnb, we were welcomed by the call of some bird maybe, or at least I'd thought it was a bird. It went like cau-ckee. Soon, we learnt that they were actually coqui frogs who decide to sing thru the night. It was quite the lullaby to fall asleep to. 😊

Information: if you're into resorts & shopping - I would suggest staying at Kona. And if you're into farmer markets, slightly popular beaches and laid back life - I would suggest staying at Hilo & Naalehu. 

Day 2:  Mangoes, Honey-combs & H-oo-wa-yee eggs

Yummy in my tummy

The good thing about traveling in Hawaii is that the jetlag works in one's favor. Like island life, we would too wake up at 6 in the morning ready to take on the day. The kids of course spent a good part of an hour exploring the airbnb, its nooks and crannies, its books and games. That done, we let my old man unwind & the four of us set out to the local market. The Hilo Farmers' Market is an absolute must - souvenirs, hats, clothes and what nots - and remember bargain a little. Also, cash is preferred & aids get a better bargain. Been there done that! 😊 Shopping bags heavier, we hopped over to the Fruit Market right next to it. Mangoes, papayas, lychees, avocados - I know you've had them all, but, they don't taste no nothing like they do in Hawaii. Fresh from the gardens, sweet & the textures perfect. Even my li'l Abesh who ate nothing but, strawberries & oranges, started loving all fruits. What a whopping win for the mommy! 

On our way back, we caught a little drizzle as my DH scuttled away for some eggs & bread. Even those were fresh from the farm and he sneaked in a real honey comb which my li'l Rupkatha (7 yo) and DH enjoyed with their buttered toast. 

No Falling at the Akaka State Falls 😀

It was time to kick start the day & we drove out to the Akaka Falls State Park. It's a little 0.4 miles loop hike which goes up and down the roughly built stairs and a trail. The path is as enjoyable as is the dainty tall waterfall at the end of the trail. One can't really get to the waterfall, but, there is a lookout point with seats for pictures or simply just soaking the placing in. When I was little I read about baby ferns which the gnomes would roll to keep them warm as the dew settled. Well, I could see the gnomes worked hard here and we saw lots of little rolled ferns along the trail. The forestry around is dense, green and a plain eye soother. 

Information: as of 2022 there is a $10 parking fee & a $5+tax entry fee per person with children < 4 free. 

Next we drove to Waipo Valley. It's street parking as the parking lot is really small. Don't miss the beautiful colorful flowers that dot the road side as they overflow from the gardens of the homes alongside the road. Maybe having travelled in spring had it's own floral benefits. We didn't do the long hike down to the valley itself but, hung out at the look point. 

Next, we drove to quaint little town of Honoka and decide to grab our midday grub at the Grandma's Kitchen. A Portugese eatery with a good varied menu. We settled for some classics like fish-n-chips, french toast and bean soup. It was all delicious and soulful. It had a kid friendly environment, the lady even offered the little ones some on the house juice. Post that we ambled down the main street of Honoka and stopped at a store to pick some Hula figurines and Tiki Gods. 

Splashes at the Laupahoehoe Beach

The drive back to Hilo was lovely as the road meandered though dark lava rocks, green hills and an occasional glimpse of the blue ocean. En route home, we just picked a beach from all the road signs and stretched our legs one more time. The Laupahoehoe beach is rocky and pebbly. The added bonus being a big stretch of green field for the kids to run around. Even my father ran around with them. What a marvelous afternoon well spent with all those who matter the most to me! 💛 This is when the mother in me decided that my kids were tired and I decided to call it a day. We returned home and ordered some Thai food from a local eatery, Naung Mai Thai Kitchen. And when in Hawaii seldom can you go wrong with Thai food. 

With a some sort of a game of scrabble, the kids and my father called it a day and DH went out to explore Hilo more. He stumbled upon a Japanese garden and a little creek finally meeting the ocean waters. 

Day 3: Fissures, smoke and rains! 

Breakfast was again mangoes, papaya and lychees and of course honey combs and H-oo-wa-yee eggs. 😀 To complete the Hawaiian touch, the home owners even had pineapple, guava and mango flavored tea bags. Bless them! Soon it was time to bid adieu to our dear li'l home in Hilo and set out for the day. We visited the Farmers' market again to stock up on fruit. We picked up some Lilikoi drinks to go - do try Lilikoi when in Big Island, a close cousin to passion fruit. Even the kids enjoyed it and squabbled over who took the bigger sip as we drove away from Hilo. 

A rare 'our' pic at the Lava Tree State Park

Our first stop of the day was the Lava Tree State Park. For an island as popular as Big Island, this state park strangely empty. There were hardly two cars in the parking lot when we pulled in. There's a small loop hike of about 20 mins which brings you back to the parking lot. You can walk next to the lava trees. Strange tall structures formed due to hot lava consuming big tree and then forming rocks around the tree trunks. Honestly, it's not like a must do but, a sure can do if you have an hour to spare. 

Next we started driving towards the Volcano National Park. We stopped for lunch at the Tuk-Tuk Thai food truck. As luck may have it, we were met with torrential rains right then and it was a little tight eating inside the car. On any other day, you can just eat standing out. But, the food was worth writing home about with a strongly recommend on their pumpkin curry & pad thai noodles (the latter being an absolute hit with the kids). 

Suggestion: when traveling with kids and choosing a meal for them, always try to have a carb in it. Kids enjoy it, it fills their little tummies and gives them energy for longer. 

Blown away in the Lava Tube

Little DH wanted to play, but the rain rain quite didn't go away after all that day. Nonetheless, we first visited the Lava tubes. Long tunnels formed by rivers of lava and gusts of winds within to form the hollow space enough to make a giant happy. It's dimly lit so hold onto those little impish hands there. 

Suggestion: of course you will pack flip flops. swim wear and sunglasses for Hawaii. But, don't forget hiking shoes, rain coats and a light jacket either. 

Next we stopped at different points within the Volcano National Park. One mentionable point were these lava fields. You can walk, jump, run on them depending on your age bracket. 😉 You can observe the air bubbles that formed the top layer of the lava rocks and different colors in them coz of the different minerals. 

We especially my DH drove around to get a glimpse of any lava activity but, the rains kind of dampened those. It might be a good idea to check the weather and move plans around if you have enough days in hand. But, we did see some fissures which were emitting smoke indicating that there was ongoing volcanic activity somewhere right beneath our feet. Phew..what a feeling! 

With that we bid adieu to all the smoke and lava rocks and drove the hour towards our home for the next two night, Naalehu. We reached home just as the sun was going to bed for the day and it was such a beautiful airbnb. The owners had set up these lovely cottages in their huge yard giving lots of running space to the little ones. They even had a little coop of hens and chicks and that of course simply fascinated the kids. 

We ordered from a local Chinese eatery which wasn't much to write home about. Kids in bed, beer in hand we grown ups settled in to enjoy the night. DH popped out for something and soon was calling outside. I stepped out to what felt like a zillion fairy light shining down on me. This was something we hadn't even expected and was probably the best hidden surprise. Naalehu is a far away from the maddening crowd kinda tourist spot with no mall or resort lights over powering the night sky. We could see the milky way clearly and sky was dotted with never ending stars. We spent quite sometime identifying constellations and just being reminded of our mere negligible existence in the larger scheme of things. 

Day 4: Sweet Sweet Bread! 

Now this was a day we'd been looking forward to for quite a while now. Yes, we were to go snorkeling today. We'd stopped at the local gas station store & got some of the famous (we found later they were famous though) Punalu bake shop bread & short bread cookies. Of course Lilikoi flavored - and boy oh boy, weren't they delicious! Bellied filled with bread, eggs and fruits - we set out for the day all dressed in our new Hawaiian clothes. 

The Island Kids!

Little did we know that we were just a minute worth of drive away from Punalu Bake Shop. Of course, we stopped there and picked up some fresh coffee and some of their famous malasadas - traditional, lilikoi, guava, mango - all scrumptous! They would make the perfect breakfast just for anyone. Next stop was the Black Sand Beach where the we once again said good morning to the green turtles, dipped our toes in the cool water and kids played away to glory with their beach toys in the black sand. With ample parking spots and picnic tables to choose from, it's a great beach to spend the day or just a little while. 

On our way back, we picked musubi lunch from the local gas station store for just $2 each and believe it or not, they were great! Quickly made our way back home, packed all our stuff and headed straight towards the adventure of the trip - snorkeling. When booking we were debating for long between Fair Winds and Sea Paradise - the former being almost double to price of the latter. A little nervous coz we have 2 kids and a parent in tow, we decided to save some money and settled to do the tour with Sea Paradise. And the decision completely paid off. It was a 3 hours long tour with an hour of going, an hour of snorkeling and hour of coming back with endless fruit, soda and chips to snack on. They even had a (paid) open bar while returning. The sea life was gracious and we saw a whale blowing and diving in and out of the water with its little one; and flying dolphins which spin out of the water and go back looking as though dancing. Actually a huge school of those flying dolphins accompanied us for the better half of our return journey. The snorkeling itself was fun too - the corals sadly are mostly bleached but, there were some colorful fish down there. 5 year ol' Abesh didn't like the feeling of not being able to feel the end of the water, so he simply hung out with his grandfather on the boat while 7 year ol' Rupkatha, DH and I enjoyed in the water. 

Bliss!

Suggestion: Snorkeling is for everyone. I can't swim at all and with a life jacket and pool noodle, I was good to go. Also, most times, kids under 6, 7 years of age panic when snorkeling so best to let them be on the boat. 

Exhausted yet excited, we stepped down from our ferry and started our journey home towards the last night to be spent in Hawaii. On our way back, we stopped at the South Point, which is the southern most point of USA. Back home we had a quick dinner of left overs, musubi and bread. As promised to the kids, we waited till it was dark. We took them out to see the beautiful night sky outside as they fumbled and stared wide eyed at the sky above. Once again, kids in bed, beer in hand, the grown ups settled in to enjoy the night. 

Day 5: Curtain Fall 

Home away from Home

This day is never the happiest day! Nonetheless, all goods things must come to an end and so would this one too. It was a slow day as we really didn't have anything planned for the day and our flight was much later in the afternoon. Hung out at the cottage for most of the morning and visited the Punalu Bake Shop once more to stock up on their short bread cookies - lilikoi, guava and coffee flavored one. I'll never forget how gorgeous the coffee flavored ones were. Stopped quick at the Black Sand Beach one more time before heading out to Kona. 

We stopped at the Magic Sand Beach (I guess it's also known as the White Sand Beach) and flopped beneath a palm tree chatting, playing and simply doing nothing. We got a humungous snow cone for the kids and yes, as you can guess it was Lilikoi flavored. We did go a li'l overboard with Lilikoi there if you ask me. 😀 

Back at the airport, we had lunch at the only restaurant there where the kids had ramen and the grown ups filled on some sandwiches. With that and an absolute promise to be back and to be back for longer we walked down the sunny path to our airplane to fly back from to San Diego. 

Oh you beauties!