Aloha Kona! :)

You land on those amazing lava fields  and you feel your body immediately switch into "kick back and relax" mode!

Felt like coming to our "home away from home" as we arrived at our condo in Alii Lani.

Looking forward to see if our Kona pets still visit everyday - the ginger cat, the mongooses and the array of birds!

After settling in, we headed into town to shop for the pantry and the fridge, before settling along the Kailua Bay wall to watch our first Kona sunset - an amazing display of pastels - pinks, mauves, violets, blues, peaches, lemons, silvers and golds....  painted the sky and contrasted with the fiery red sun that dropped into the sea! Magic! The bonus was the Hawaiian music and song that wafted from Lava Java, Humpy's and Bongo Ben's - all in full swing for Happy Hour!

The passengers on the cruise ship, The Spirit of Hawaii, would have really enjoyed their departure from Kona this evening - happy hour cocktail on the deck as they sailed into the sunset! Glad we are staying to enjoy many more sunsets!

Mahalo Honolulu..............

The Military Hospital is a prominent Honolulu sight hugging the mountains

Great views of Honolulu, Waikiki, Diamond Head and Koko Head as we winged towards Kona and the Big Island
(Always choose to sit on the left hand side of the plane on take off - great views!)

Aloha Kona..............

Touchdown in the amazing lava fields! You feel very close to Nature!
As Pete would say......ah, the serenity!! (Thanks "The Castle")

September 19th - National Pirates Day!?
Humpy's got right into the mood and atmosphere with an all day party!

Peter would love these wheels! A retirement bikie! Even a seat for me!
(Interesting ones at the back as well! )

This quiet, sleepy space looks a bit bare! and lonely!
Will be a different story in a few weeks when the IM Expo explodes on the scene!

Love strolling the main street of Kona

Looking forward to exploring the newly renovated Palace

The very familiar Niumalu ( or Kanuha) Beach, Kailua Bay and the Pier

A big favourite in Kona!
Nothing better than a refreshing and cooling shaved ice from this icon!
.......... and new pic opportunities! :)

Forrest is still running and.......life is a box of chocolates!

The Sprit of Hawaii and all its happy cruisers sail off into the sunset!

Lots of crabs to entertain you as they have their sunset feed

Nothing like the Hawaiian serenades at sunset!

A good wave was rolling in!
The reef  behind the shops in the main street, Ali'inui ( High Chief), is a popular spot for the locally skilled and knowledgable surfers

Enjoy the sunset and its changing face with us........you are sitting on the famous wall overlooking Kailua Bay, Hawaiian music is wafting in the balmy air.................

What a peaceful, calm and relaxing sunset!

ALOHA KONA! :)

Mustangs everywhere! The popular hire car this year!?

Or this!!! I like!!!!