The first batch of
travelers have come
and gone,
and the resounding conclusion is
that we love Hawaii.

The house is on the dry side of the island (Kona side), and we couldn’t be happier. I brought along the kids (Thing 1 and Thing 2), and the continual litany of wows and oohs and aahs didn’t stop from the time we landed on the tarmac until the cab back to the airport. 

Our flight got in super late. Thing 2 was so excited to be on his first vacation we got a “EVERYTHING IS BETTER IN HAWAII” just with his experience getting off the plane and walking into the airport. A short cab ride and the kids were in bed. Did it feel like we were in the jungle? Absolutely.

Things on the big island are pretty spaced out, so driving is basically a must.   Good thing we’ve got the little Jeep to beetle around in while on vacation. I am not going to lie, driving in new places always makes me nervous.   Driving on the big island?  Not a problem.   There is the one main highway that goes almost the entire way around the island.  I found the other drivers very considerate, generally very laid back and friendly. 

Now, staying off resort, we cooked for ourselves too.  I would suggest if you don’t have a Costco membership, get one.  It’s worth it.  First off, who wants to cook on vacation?  Go to Costco and load up on your essentials.  Remember, American Costco (and most grocery stores) has liquor, unlike here in Canada.  You can do a one-stop shop.  Grab yourself the rotisserie chicken and a bunch of the heat-and-serve meals.  You’ll be glad you did.  You’ll save yourself time and money.   Win/win.  The poke was delicious.  We grabbed a bag of salad and made some rice back at the house and basically ate that the entire week.

Dragging Thing 1 and Thing 2 out of the pool was difficult, so I suppose I’ll just have to suffer and hang out here with a mimosa.

Off the record and in the pool ….