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