October 1st-8th, 2009 Kona, Hawai'i
Aloha! Greetings from paradise! We are sorry that it has taken so long to write, but there is just so much to see and such a small amount of time and we want to truly grasp the essence and spirit of this awe-inspiring place that we call...Hawai'i!
We are currently in Maui experiencing all kinds of crazy adventures, and we will get to that later, but for now, it's all about Kona (and I don't just mean Kona Coffee or Kona Brewing Company!!! He he he we do love our coffee and beer though!)
Let's start at the beginning, shall we? The night before we left for this wondrous journey there was this twinge in my stomach that was all to familiar. . . anxiety. Although we realized that we were about to embark on an amazing trip, the fear involved with quitting a great job, leaving friends, and most of all, leaving a place we have learned to call home, was challenging and a bit unsettling. Not to mention the fact that since the last world journey we have seen the movie Hostel (sooo creepy), and plenty of episodes of "Locked Up Abroad". Do us a favor, don't watch those while we are gone or you will be seriously worried for our safety! Hehehe



















We took the Red-Eye flight to Kona and literally the second we stepped of the plane we were greeted by our lovely friend Sarah, who promptly Leid (not to be confused with laid), both of us with the most beautiful and fragrant fresh Plumeria Flower Lei's. She then took us to her and her fiance Kalani's fabulous resort( it is actually their house, but it is so awesome it should be a resort!). Their lanai(porch) overlooks a harmonious combination of the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean, the exquisite black lava rock, and plumeria, pikake and guava trees. Their so- called back yard (more like a private garden of eden) is complimented by a waterfall, lagoon, and what they call 'Pond", which is actually a jacuzzi that has a view of it all! Let's just say all of those initial feelings of anxiety were washed away with the first mimosa that spectacular first morning in Hawai'i.
Sarah and Kalani were the most amazing hosts and they truly encompass the meaning of the ever-so-famous "Hawaiian Hospitality". Captain James Cook came to the Big Island of Hawai'i as an explorer in the 1700's and had a first hand experience of this Hawaiian hospitality, but he and his crewmen took advantage of these amazing people. With them they brought greed, dishonesty, violence, and diseases that wiped out much of the population, and eventually the Hawaiian people had enough. . .and in 1779, as Kalani would say. . . "they slaughtered his ass"!
Kalani is a true Hawaiian through and through. He is so incredibly proud of his heritage (and his flaming jeep and CIA trucks lol)! He is full of so much knowledge about his culture, past, present and future. He holds the key to all of the secrets and blueprints of the Big Island. SSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! It's all Top Secret stuff!!!!!Hahahahahahahahaha


















I GOT STUFF!
That very first day they took us for some fresh Kona coffee at the Coffee Shack which overlooks Kealakekua Bay, Puu Honua O Honaunau, which is the City of Refuge, snorkeling at two-step, one of the best spots on the island, and this was all before noon!!! Then it was all about the GUAVA! GUAVA! GUAVA! GUAVA EVERYWHERE!
For sunset they took us out on their hand made Kealakekua(Hawaiian word for double hulled canoe), which they named the KINI KINI. Now this is a canoe, not to be confused with a boat, and if you do confuse it you will be thrown overboard by the Canoe's Captain Kalani! he he he. He built this amazing vessel by hand and it is truly spectacular!



















Kalani, Brad, and his super cool dog Awa!




















The rest of the week was filled with many crazy and cool adventures. For our One Year Wedding Anniversary, yes folks it's already been a year, they hooked us up with one of the most amazing things we have ever done: A night Scuba Dive with Manta Rays!!!!! Check it out at:http://www.konahonudivers.com/mantaray.shtml
They took us to the most remote and beautiful beaches, we are not allowed to tell you the names, it is all very Top Secret, CIA type stuff, but we will say that it was all truly breathtaking. Sarah took us to her property at Waiohinu that has the most jaw dropping views of the coastline and lot's and lot's o' cows, and cow pies! he he ha ha
So much happened on the Big Island, it was truly too much to explain, but let's just say that karaoke was involved, watching moonrise's, visiting with Aesha's loving parents Alan and Irene, and our absolute favorite. . . the Valley of Waipio, and the hike to the waterfall Hiilawe.
This was truly one of the most spectacular sights we have ever visited! So serene and magical!









Best Day Ever!!!! Best Week ever!!! Honestly we can't thank Sarah and Kalani enough for their hospitality and friendship! You are both truly amazing and our trip was so much more than a trip, it was a learning experience that we will treasure forever! Mahalo, Mahalo, Mahalo! Love from the home of the Biggest of all of the Hawaiian islands- Savvy Nomad 1 and 2