Post #514073 by SouthBamaTiki on Sun, Feb 28, 2010 10:59 AM

Luckily, no problems with thieves! The only loss suffered was two pair of earrings I was bringing home for souvenirs that somehow managed to fall out of the suitcase or something...who knows. Such is life! Hawaii was amazing! Baileys for shirts was an overwhelming experience. I had no idea what rack to start on or move to next! Came home with 3 short sleeve shirts, one long sleeve, and a jacket! Be prepared for a hike if you walk to it, though...it was a long way from Hilton Hawaiian Village! Oddly enough, locals kept asking where we got our vintage aloha shirts. They said they can never find them there, which explains why we had no luck at the thrift stores. LaMariana is a dream....completely delightful, charming, and eclectic with amazing food.
Over on the Big Island, Honaunau Place of Refuge was really a sight to see. We were lucky enough that a monk seal came on shore there to sun himself while we were there. He was one of the highlights of the trip. We had paid for the cheapest room at Royal Kona, but they ended up putting us in an ocean front room that was just incredible! The sunsets...oh man....and the waves pounding the shore all night to lull you to sleep. And from our balcony, we could see Don Beachcombers. Watched them light the torches both nights we were there, then had dinner down there. The food was excellent.
One of the things that stands out to me the most was that it smelled so good everywhere we went. There was a continuous breeze, and there was always the smell of flowers, fruit, or just fresh air. The temps could not have been more perfect. It's also a bird watcher or gardener's dream vacation. I could not believe all the philodendrons and gingers and all growing so huge, then all the different kinds of birds. It really is like another country. Can't wait to go back!