Hawaiʻi will always be in my heart! Whether or not I’ll be fortunate enough to enjoy its raw nature, delightful climate, and the company of its beautiful people again in the future. I can still feel the sun warming my face, the gentle breeze invigorating me, and the sense of awe I felt being surrounded by nature and the fun-loving, gentle locals.
I made this trip right after visiting my best friends in the beautiful Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Canada. My heart was already full, and this Hawaiian vacation was medicine for my soul. All in all, it was my pre-birthday present and a celebration of a successful, yet stressful, year at work.
As I normally do on my faraway adventures, after one or two days of exploring with a tour group, I created my own itinerary based on feedback from guides, fellow travelers, and online research.
So here’s how my perfect day unfolded:
I started with a delicious homemade breakfast at Mango Sunset BnB, the gorgeous boutique accommodation I had chosen, also because it is located on an actual coffee farm.
My first stop was Magic Sands Beach Park, three miles south of downtown Kailua-Kona. Although I’m not a beach bum, I enjoy dipping my toes in the water while walking along the shoreline and taking pictures of the scenery. The beach was full of energy, with surfers of all ages, and not as crowded as I expected for a Saturday.
A short stop along the way was The Vanillerie, a quaint vanilla farm just a few minutes from the Kona airport. And yes, vanilla pods are produced by a type of orchid. I had no idea!
Next on the list was the main adventure of the day: my first-ever ziplining experience — and I was so happy to do it with Kohala Zipline! Not only was the scenery amazing, the weather perfect, and the experience exhilarating, but the crew was also outstanding. They created great camaraderie among the guests and offered lots of helpful advice. The best tip I received was to hike the Pololū Historic Trail, which has served as a backdrop for the 1997 movie The Lost World: Jurassic Park.
That became stop #4 and satisfied my craving for a scenic hike, and what a hike it was! Aside from the breathtaking views of the valley and its gorgeous, secluded beach, the cardio workout on the climb back up was also breathtaking… quite literally. 😊
The one-hour drive back from Hawi turned into a two-hour drive as I stopped a few times to take pictures of the backcountry and, more importantly, to capture the magnificent sunset. That was stop #5: Waialea Beach, an ideal spot to take it all in and savor the moment.
Last but not least of my favorites: an L&L Hawaiian Barbecue location! We’re talking about delicious Hawaiian food, made to order in a quick-service setting — comfort food at its best.
All in all, it was a perfect day. I can wholeheartedly say: Aloha and Mahalo, Big Island! I hope to be blessed enough to return someday.
