Walk, Walk Talk; Walk, Walk Eat, and Enjoy Life! - Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Our Walua walk yesterday was so lovely, we didn't know if we could outdo that today. But, we did. 

To fortify ourselves for the day, we went to brunch at Island Lava Java along the seafront of Kailua-Kona on The Big Island of Hawaii. Restaurants like this one are hard to come by. Granted, it was a Wednesday, but we were seated right away. The hostess and wait staff made us feel like Ohana (family). We had a table on the lanai overlooking the ocean and Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America cruise ship. Breakfast was served in a timely manner (for Hawaii). We call it "Hawaiian Time."

Our table for brunch at Island Lava Java
in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

NCL's Pride of America in Kailua Bay.

After seeing their extensive brunch menu, I realized my dream of ordering and eating a tropical breakfast: Pineapple "Upside Down" French Toast! OMG. My mouth was watering at the description..."Egg-dipped house brioche, fresh pineapple, toasted pecan pieces, house-made cinnamon & brown sugar syrup." 

Pineapple "Upside Down" French Toast.

Bob was thrilled, too, when he found Fresh Fish Benedict: "Island Eggs Benedict with fresh salmon and rustic potatoes."

Island Eggs Benedict with fresh salmon and
rustic potatoes.

Both of us exclaimed "ono!" (da best!) while we ate our breakfasts. This restaurant gets two thumbs up from us.

Then Bob wanted to take me for a walk at the Old Kona Airport. I was lukewarm on the idea because who wants to wander around a large expanse of hot concrete? He was insistent, said he had been there before, and thought I would enjoy it. 

"Oh, okay, I'll try it," I muttered, not wanting to get super heated walking in the hot morning sun.

At the old airport, we had to drive across the old, broken-up, pot-holed, cement and gravel tarmac. He drove across about a half mile. Immediate minus points for a really bumpy drive to the trail. 

The area with the trail had shade trees and lots of plants: bonus points. Add in artwork and cats and this walk ended up being way better than I had ever imagined! Good job, Bob! Thanks for insisting that I would like it. Let's take a walk around the old Kona airport!

"Which way do we go, Bob, which way do we go?"

This rocks! Artists come to the garden for
inspiration, create their art, and display it here!

Trail etiquette (rules). [Note the rule about
not feeding the cats.]

A Rotary International Bench.

Yellow finches.

A few photos in the Succulent Garden...

There's a huge succulent garden with all
kinds of cacti and succulents.

The tall yellow cactus is Giant Foxtail 
(Agave attenuata), AKA Dragon-Tree or
Spineless Agave.

Column Cactus
(Coleocephalocereus goebelianus).

Epostoa lanata cephalium*.

*Cephalium is a frequently brightly colored structure of wool and bristle at the growing tip of certain cacti. It is most commonly found on cacti of the genus Melocactus. The cephalium will only grow when the cactus reaches a certain size or age.

Giant Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus
platyacanthus).

Agave sisalana or False sisal Century Plant.

Stenocereus heptagonus.

Art adorned the trail from local artists. Sit back and enjoy this art gallery en plein air.

A beautifully painted picnic table.

Beautiful tropical flowers graced the trail as well.

Common Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe 
rotundifolia).

Yellow Cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus).

An interesting geological feature is in this park: an anchialine pond. This is rather fascinating. 

When we were almost at the end of the loop trail, we came to the baby mongooses and the cats! Soooo cute!

In Hawaii, there is a big problem with stray cats. When people move away from Hawaii, many leave their cats behind. Volunteers feed them every day. It is a sad situation. I love cats and am happy the cats are being trapped, neutered, and released.

Stray or feral cats.

A baby mongoose (we saw two).

This cat was a stray; it was friendly and let
us pet him. Ferals are not people-friendly.

Bob, thank you for dragging me kicking and screaming to this quite wonderful trail. I'm glad you insisted.

After we rested and cooled off in the timeshare, Bob wanted to go snorkeling at Kahalu'u Beach Park. We walked a half-mile to the park. I read the surf report and decided to stay on shore while he braved the currents and waves. The lifeguards warned people to stay on shore and keep their kids close. 

Bob is an experienced swimmer and surfer, so he didn't have much trouble. He did say the currents were strong and "surgy." Also, the surfers were out on the other side of the bay!

While I was taking photos, a couple of big waves came ashore that completely covered the beach. I was happy that parents of small children were on the beach. They had to pick their little kids up out of the water.

Here is evidence of Bob snorkeling.

Bob snorkeling at Kahalu'u Beach Park on
the Big Island.

It sprinkled on us when we walked back to the timeshare, but it was 80 degrees outside, so it was refreshing.

We spent the rest of the day packing to fly out tomorrow. It's been a great trip to Hawaii. When we figured out it had been eight years since we were last here, we vowed to come back every year from now on.

Aloha!