4/15–Hanging out in Kailua

We are up at an ungodly early hour – but hey – we’ve really slept for a long time – and with jet lag – we’re doing pretty well.  We make our coffee in the Keurig (yep, we brought our coffee and the little Keurig cup things that let us use our own coffee), then, once it ‘s light outside, we walk to Kailua beach (our usual walk) and stop at Kalawapawai Market for our morning flavored coffee (yeah, we have a pattern!).

Back at the cottage we plan our day. We decide to go to the Koko Crater Botanic Garden – it’s a nice walk around the bottom of the crater with different plants from all over the world.

This time of year, I think we are in between seasons/blooms – so not as vibrant as in January, but still a lovely walk. There are Plumarias, Bouganvilleas and other pretty flowers that we haven't a clue what they are.

Being in the crater gives you a great perspective on how these islands are formed.  The huge craggy ridge of the crater towers above you, while you contemplate the fact that you are wandering around on the inside of a once active volcano.  Pretty cool – or pretty frightening – depending upon your outlook.

There are lots of different plant areas from all around the world.  One of the most interesting is the cactus section, where it looks like we are in Arizona or New Mexico!

The walk take us about an hour, finally heading back through the Plumeria section with beautiful trees full of colorful flowers.

Back in the car, we strategize what to do next.  We’re on the wrong side of the island for more hikes.  Koko Crater hike is totally out – it’s straight up with no cover, and no way are we doing that in the afternoon.  Diamond head is too crowded in the afternoon, so we end up deciding to go to Kona Brewing Company for a nice cool beverage and free Garlicky twists.  What the hell – we never do something like that – so it’s a treat!  Ed has a sampler with some great wheat beers and porters (I love the Pipeline Porter! Very smoky.) The Garlicky bites are so good (and so bad!), and the atmosphere here is really nice.  Good way to top off our hike.

Back at the cottage, we spend the rest of the afternoon out back, reading, laying in the sun.  Dinner is a pork loin on the grill enjoying the nice cool tradewinds and watching the clouds fly by the moon and stars.