Saturday, January 18

Oahu -> Kona (Big Island of Hawaii)

An early morning, but out on time easily.  Passing surf spots pre-daybreak, but plenty of surfers parked and waxing up their boards for a day of waves.  The drive easy, and we got the car returned, bags checked (still under 50 lbs each, even with some food we didn’t want to leave behind), and at gate with lots of time for coffee.

The easy 35’ flight got us to Kona’s airport before 10:15am, and we were surprised and delighted to see an airport without an ‘indoor’ area.  Lots of coverage for the sun, but one definitely feels “outside” the whole time.  Very pleasant. 

Bags in hand, easy rental car experience (Alamo), and off to the Kona Brewing Company for lunch.  Surprisingly delicious food to go along with a not-at-all surprisingly delicious brew.

Our AirBnB just a few more minutes’ drive, basically in downtown Kona, and settled in by 1.

Very warm here—about 85—so found a shady spot in our outdoor patio, and wrote for a good spell until the hottest part of the day passes.

When returning from a little bit of grocery shopping, we heard a group of “Marshallese” (Marshal Island natives) gather in the house behind, singing a folk song–wonderful!