Post #377111 by beadtiki on Tue, Apr 29, 2008 9:11 PM

Arg! You're killing me! LOL The first time I was on the Big Island, we stayed on Ali'i Drive on the far end from town. I think the volcano had been recently active as the "vog" was nearly intollerable. Add to that it was the end of summer, it was raining a lot, we didn't have a vehicle, we were stuck with my entire family of in-laws (18 of them) and to make things worse, the AC in our unit wasn't working! It was like being stranded in paradise without the ability to get to the beach! We did manage to borrow a car and spent the entire day and night away from Kona (did you get to Akaka Falls?) and met the nicest people who invited us in to their home, plied us with fresh fruits from their yards and entertained us until late in the night. We have been devotees of the Big Island ever since. Went back five years later, found those same people, met some new friends and when it was time to leave, I sat at the airport crying. I cry whenever I watch shows about Hawaii on the Travel Channel. My heart belongs to Hawai'i.

On 2008-04-29 17:21, sushiman wrote:

On 2008-04-29 15:38, beadtiki wrote:
Thanks for the memories! My hubby and I want to retire to the Big Island - set up a "Yurt Motel" on a small coffee plantation and rent to wandering travellers! I think it will be WAY too much work and would rather set up a small bead store! Ahhh, troubles in paradise!

The day before we arrived , Kilauea erupted sending ash and gases into the sky . The air was not too bad for the next week , but the smoke and ash did have a negative affect on the sunsets around Kailua-Kona . I understand the air has gotten much worse in recent weeks .

Since returning , a day hasn't gone by when I didn't daydream about being back on the Big Island on Kua Beach slugging a Kona brew and gazing out onto the aqua blue sea and pureblue sky ...