It
was quite the surprise! After being told (and planning for) a trip to San Diego
and the Grand Canyon, we reached the airport. My sister incessantly bugged us
after looking at the departures board: There was no flight for San Diego! I
tuned her out, but was soon shocked to learn the truth: We were going to Kona!
After that, we went through all the
mundane activities needed at an airport: check-in, security, and baggage,
before walking to the gate and onto the plane. The plane flight was long,
thankfully I was sitting next to college sophomore and quickly struck up a
conversation.
And then we landed in Kona. I had
never seen an airport anything like this. There was no indoors; even in India
the airports I landed in had indoor corridors and check-in. It was warm, but
not ridiculously hot, and there were trees everywhere. We took a complimentary shuttle
service to the National rental car agency, where my dad rented a Ford SUV.
We drove to downtown Kona, which was maybe 15
minutes away and right on the shore. Kona is a very laid back, old-styled kind
of a town, with random patches of beach everywhere. One of the first things we
did when we got there was venture to the nearby Wal-mart and buy a few packs of
water bottles,some milk, and some cereal, something we almost always do on trips.
After
that, we drove down Alii drive, essentially main street Kona. There are lots of
old fashioned buildings and quaint restaurants, but also a few multinational
fast-food havens. We visited severallittle shop/stall areas that sold
little touristy items like bracelets, necklaces, and t-shirts. Since everyone
was starving after the meager snacks served on airplanes, we stopped at Subway
to eat.
After
eating, my sister and I were roaring to get into the famous Hawaii water. We
drove to a nearby enclosed beach/cove called Kahalu'u , and broke out our
new snorkeling sets. It was quite an experience; I got to see fish, coral, an
eel, and even a sea turtle!
At
this point, it was time to check into our hotel, the King Kamehameha’s
Courtyard Marriot, located right at the start of Alii drive. It was a nice hotel, although relatively
simple. It’s main perk was its location, right in the heart of town, and the great
views. Everything you could want to do
was literally right outside or within 2 blocks: submarining, parasailing,
scubaing, and boat riding.
After
checking in, my father and I left my sister and mother to their own devices and
explored Alii drive, walking down a mile or so before sitting in a quite area
and eating some ice cream.
