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A first-ever trip to Hawaii. My expectations are high, but the islands exceeded my wildest dreams. The islands are stunning, spectacular, magical, incredible. Maureen and I will return soon.

Hawaiian Islands, part 1

Domz
2004-04-06 18:41:40

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/>We first visit the Kona Coast State Park, the entrance road of which requires driving along a VERY rough, up and down unpaved "road" zig-zagging its way through an immense lava field. The park itself is quite nice, and offers diverse landscapes. At the parking lot, there are picnic and restroom facilities. Walking north along the beach, we find pleasant, attractive, uncrowded beaches and coves. To the south, by walking over beach and hardened lava, we arrive at our first black sand beach, which presents a striking appearance when the white foam of waves comes crashing down upon it.

Next is Hapuna Beach, half a mile long and 200 feet wide. The beach has recently been ranked as the top beach in the U.S. We are a bit puzzled, since the beach is average at best with regard to attractiveness compared to other Hawaiian beaches. Apparently, it excels in beach amenities, such as a wide beach with fine-grained sand, easy swimming conditions with lots of shallow, clear water near the sandy shoreline, good picnic and restroom facilities, and clear water.

Using Doughty's "Big Island Revealed" guidebook-which proves to be an invaluable resource on Maui and Kauai as well-we are aware of a hidden gem unknown to most other beachgoers there. At the southern end, a rocky point juts out. Extending outward from that point and then southerly into a small cove, the waters are graced with substantial and impressive coral reefs, clear waters, and colorful tropical fish. This makes for some excellent, easy, uncrowded snorkeling for Maureen and I.

We then travel south to the town of Captain Cook to find our Big Island bed and breakfast. We are in for a very pleasant, astounding surprise. Our B&B, known as the "Edge of the World," is very, very impressive. It is nestled on the steep western slopes of Big Island, overlooking-and I mean overlooking-Kealakekua Bay. "Edge", as we called it, offers us a spectacular bedroom and full ...