Qantas Air Strike and Surfing Australia

This is an info note for today...
With the summer holidays coming in Australia.. the more adventurous are wanting to surf.. so beyond the Great Barrier Reef
Rain Forrest's and more.. we also have surfing.. I still recommend the East coast. you can go from Sydney to Cairns and fly to Darwin and Ayers Rock.. 

but for now here are the surf spots

Here are the top 6 surf spots in Australia...

Please note if you already have flights on Qantas or AA. (codeshare) Qantas is looking at striking the 26th with it going into effect on the 28th of October.. so if you are planning to go soon. Please contact your travel agent. (another reason to book thru an expert) and clarify your plans and what to do if they strike.

We are home.. and ready to hit the ground running

Aloha!
We had a wonderful time on the Big Island.. Over the next month I will post in more details the best and must do's of the trip and one or two things that you might want to skip and why.

The Jacaranda Inn was charming and a very historic homestead.. Hard to believe that this western ranch community, "Parker Ranch"  in Waimea, is a large part of the Big Island's History.

Mahalo

Waipi'o Valley and points south of Hilo

As we wind down our week away on the Big Island.. we are going to explore the area south of Hilo the Puna district this morning and then drive up to the Waipió valley where Derek says we are hiking down.. I think a picture from the top is perfect...
We will let you know.

http://www.letsgo-hawaii.com/waipio/

We are not wanting to leave this beautiful location.. the waterfall is just outside our door and the food is amazing and the room very comfortable..
If you need to come to Hilo or just want an amazing get away this location is it.
Last time.. but have to say.. The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls. is the only place to stay.
Will check in again on Sunday.. will spend our last night at the Jacaranda Inn in Waimea.

Hilo: a very old school town

Hilo is not a tourist town... the stores and restaurants close at 9. Even the zaget rated ones.. (which I believe are two). But it is fun to see the real hawaii culture vs. for the tourists...
I will write more later but again.. our Bed and Breakfast is Amazing. Derek started our day today with sunrise a swim in the pool at the bottom of the water fall. The inn at Kukaniapia falls.  Not all pics can be published :)

We are know going on a tour of a private lava tube before we head over to the Volcano National Park.

Long day short check in

We spent the morning at Two Steps, snorkeling, then  on the way to Hilo, stopped at Punaluú Black sand Beach and saw hawksbill turtles nesting Just before the beach we stopped at the Punaluú bakery... the best Hawaiian Sweet Bread and meals..

The Bid Island: Kona Coffee, painted churches and Sea Turtles

The Painted Church was beautiful and open to take a look.

Thunder Mountain Organic Coffee  this was a very "educational" tour at 3200 ft. They grown and distribute award winning coffee though out the United States and beyond The tour was very personal and you went from picking the "cherries" to roasting and tasting..

We snorkeled again with the Sea Turtles and other beautiful fish on the coral reef... those pics. will have to come later. But the you tube video is exactly what we did...

Today we leave Kona, snorkel once again and head to Volcano National Park and our bed and breakfast in Hilo...
Stay tuned..
Aloha!

Welcome to the Big Island

Night Snorkeling with Big Island Divers

Breakfast at our beautiful Areca Palms Bed and Breakfast...

while having this wonderful view

Off on another days adventures with Sea Turtles and coffee houses.

Aloha

Old Pasadena: A great Destination

Old Pasadena is a wonderful revitalized area of Pasadena.. there are award winning,zaget rated restaurants, museums (Norton Simon is one), high end retail shops, outdoor art and architecturally restored buildings.
The link to see for your self is: www.oldPasadena.org
Parking is at a premium but there are multiple lots to use.. plan on paying to park at one of the many lots... but... we took the train and then the Gold line to the Del Mar station.
It sits as the southeast corner of O.P. across from beautiful Central park and half a block from Green Castle.

There is so much to see, do and eat that one day was almost not enough..
highlights,
One Colorado (great shopping and dining area off the main path)
Norton Simon: If you love muesums
Kings Row: they have a mac'n cheese using white chocolate..
The architicture

The next blog will go into more detail of each...

One note. If you are not a muesum person.. one day is more then enough to see everything if you don't dally....
But going to Old Pasadena is about the dallying and enjoying a wonderful area of Pasadena.

Hawaii, The Big Island

Hawaii is paradise in our own backyard. Of all the islands.. Hawaii(The Big Island) is my favorite..
Like the other islands they have lush tropical water falls and beautiful beaches. BUT... they also have active volcanoes, coffee growers and multiple climate zones. If you want to have a relaxing honeymoon or romantic get away.. Kauai or Maui are great.. but if you think you may want to do more then relax on the beach.. check out
my favorite Island. Hawaii, the big island!
Welcome to Hawaii's Big Island, Hawaii's Island of AdventureHawaii’s Big Island isn’t just big, it’s still growing. The Island of Hawaii is the youngest island in the Hawaiian chain and is also by far the biggest, providing a vast canvas of environments to discover a variety of unrivaled natural wonders. This is the home of one of the world’s most active volcanoes (Kilauea), the tallest sea mountain in the world at more than 33,000 feet (Maunakea), the most massive mountain in the world (Maunaloa) and the largest park in the state (Hawaii Volcanoes National Park). All but two of the world’s climate zones generate everything from lush rain forests to volcanic deserts, snow-capped mountaintops to beautiful black sand beaches. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or a journey off the beaten path, you’ll discover it all on Hawaii’s Island of Adventure.
To learn more:Fair Dinkum Travel