Here is what we've come up so far for our 25th anniversary trip to the Big Island at the end of Oct/beginning of Nov. We've been to Maui, Kauai, Oahu. This will be our 4th trip to Hawaii, but we've never been to the Big Island.

Day 1: Fly from Atlanta to Honolulu, then Kona; arrive about 6 p.m. 3 nights in Hale Hualalai B&B (near Kona). Dinner _________.

Day 2: Snorkeling on our own; Place of Refuge; exploring. Dinner ___________.

Day 3: Fairwinds Snorkeling trip (new boat or older catamaran?) Dinner _____________.

Day 4: Drive southern route to Volcano National Park, stopping to explore along the way. 2 nights at Country Goose B&B. Evening: Lava viewing/hiking? Dinner _______.

Day 5: Explore VNP. Dinner ______________.

Day 6: Drive to Fairmont Orchid, taking northern Route. On the way, explore Hilo, waterfalls, etc. Dinner might be in Hawi; late check-in at the Fairmont. We expect this to be a long day of driving and sightseeing.

Day 7: Relax, snorkel from beach, enjoy resort. Dinner at Brown's.

Day 8: Relax, enjoy resort (maybe golf and/or massage). Evening sunset sail and renewal of vows.

Day 9: Relax, enjoy resort (explore northern coast, maybe Hapuna Beach)

Day 10: Relax, enjoy resort, snorkeling.

Day 11: Flight to Honolulu, and then back to Atlanta.

Day 12: Arrive home!!!!!!

Any comments? Any suggestions for dinners? We're not really into big, expensive dinners every night. Any other suggestions welcome.

Also, for those of you keeping with with the car dilemma, I decided to rent the convertible (Mustang) as a surprise for my husband. I can't wait -- I think he'll be thrilled!!

Make time for this - http://www.flumindaditch.com/

So much fun!

I was there during the Ironman competition sometime in October. That was wonderful to see part of the event. You may want to check when this is as it may impact traveling around. They close off the main areas of Kona and the main highway north for the day.

Maybe dinner at the Hilton or just walk around the pools area. It's really nice. I think you'll have enough with 1 day touring the VNP. There isn't that much to see.

Try to coffee!

TonyMnLA, Thanks for the suggestions! We were looking at Flumin' da Ditch last night -- we may have to work that in. Do you think we'd need to make reservations a lot in advance for that? That might be something we have in mind, but not decide on for sure until we're there.

Also, I think the ironman competition ends on the 21st or 22nd or October, so I'm hoping the traffic from that won't impact our travel plans.

Thanks very much!

Hawi is a wonderful little town, artist type place with nice little eating places. Flumin da ditch probably would require you make a reservation before you go to the island just to be safe. It's really worth the time to do this slow float.(look for the king's statue on the drive north)

The Ironman won't impact your travel getting to and from the island. Just on the day of the event. There will be plenty of participants on the island after for about a week.

Okay, Thanks!

Restaurant ideas--
Bamboo Restaurant in Hawi--I always get the kalua pork and cabbage but they have a wide variety of choices--plus lilikoi margaritas
In Honokaa--Tex Drive In; very good, large burgers, delicious wraps, fantastic warm malasadas (Portuguese donuts)
In Waimea, Merriman's and Daniel Thiebaut--pricy but worth it for dinner; lunch reasonably priced with same food
In Kailua Kona--
O's Bistro in the Safeway Center--yummy noodle dishes
Kona Mix Plate--in one of the shopping plazas in Kailus--cheap--local food--"2 scoop rice"
In Keauhou shopping center--Royal Thai restaurant--inexpensive wonderfully fresh food
In south Kona--
Ke'ei Cafe in Kainaliu--pricy for dinner; lunch more reasonable, lovely fresh fish, interesting tasty appetizers (no credit cards)
Coffee Shack--right on the highway in South Kona--breakfast and lunch--set on the deck for a great view of the coast
Lower level Choice Mart Center--don't remember the name of the restaurant-but they have huge, inexpensive burritos
Also in South Kona--Manago Hotel Restaurant--cheap--local style food--breakfast for $5; fresh fish often, pork chops a local legend (note:they are fried)
In Volcano--Lava Rock Cafe--love their chow fun
In Pahoa--Paolo's Bistro--Italian food prepared by a fabulous chef--moderate price - worth a little drive
Hope this is helpful

A second vote for O's bistro and we really enjoyed the Royal Thai too...(both these places would work on day 2) if you like Thai food there's a great restaurant in Pahoa (Pings or Pangs?).

Thai Thai in Volcano.

The one place that sticks in my head is that dougnut shop that also serves sandwiches. It's on the corner of a strip mall with a big market in it. I can't remember the name, but the sandwiches were really tasty!

If you have time on Day 6 stop at the Hawai'i Tropical Botanical Garden. After your visit enjoy a smoothie or sandwich at What's Shakin - about a mile or two past the gardens.

This board is so great! Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm printing everything out.

Regarding Seaquest rafts, does anyone know how you get in and out of them (ladder, etc.) I was just wondering. If I don't get an answer on this post, I'll post it as a separate question.
You all are fantastic! Keep the suggestions coming!

Thanks very much.
Sherry

http://www.seaquesthawaii.com/photoalbum/index.html it looks like there's a ladder.

I think the sandwich place TonyMnLA may be taling about is Buns in the Sun. Also, we like Cafe Pesto in Hilo on the Bayfront. Have a great time, I love the Big Island!

Samsaf,
If you are there during Ironman, it's a lot of fun to watch. I am watching my
4th race this Oct. It is like a big party at the finish line and so much fun and inspiring!!!! If you are nearby, it's a must see. Yes, roads are closed, but you can get around, park and walk around and cheer on these athletes.

1,800 athletes start the swim at 7AM
(2 miles) change, get their bikes and bike up to Hawi and back. (112 miles)
and THEN they run a full marathon!!!

There are 80 year old people doing this! It's amazing. There are people there from all over the world, as this is the World Championship.

When you watch NBC's telecast, you can say, "I was there!"

We are going for our 20th anniversary, and this is my 5th trip to the Big Island. We are going to Maui as well.

I don't have an itinerary, we like to kind of wing it and relax.

I like to watch the sunset over dinner at Huggo's. We even went on race night and parked and just walked.

Also, Roy's in Waikaloa shopping mall.
It's one of our favorites. Look up
Roy's online. It's at the shopping mall near the Hilton. There are shops and a few more restaurants there. If you want to pick up supplies, there is a store there too for snacks, beer, towels, etc; It's not far from your Fairmont. And trust me, there is NOTHING out there. There is a gas station right near the airport, but once you head north of the airport, it's barren. The resorts are on the coast, and you can't see them very well from the road. Watch for signs.

Also, due to the observatory, they do not have a lot of street lights (someone there told me that). If you are concerned, I would do MapQuest a lot, print out your directions. I was
alone trying to find my hotel in Keahou and was in tears because I couldn't read the street signs and I was lost in the dark! Maybe pack a flashlight to keep in the car.

I am a worry wort, but I don't like being lost!

You will really like the Big Island it has such a beautiful soul.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.





There is a Wal-Mart in Kona which is great for your souvenirs. They have an entire section of Hawaii stuff, cheaper than you will find anywhere else.

There is a shopping center in Keauhou
that has a grocery store, drugstore, Royal Thai, very handy!

The sun sets earlier there than the states, and if you want to dine and
watch it, you must plan to get to the
restaurant earlier! There is a website that I found one time that tells you the time the sun sets, but
it seems to me it was always around
6pm in October.

You probably already know most of this,
sorry!

I love Kona, it's very down to earth and very relaxing. It's not like Maui.

Thanks, beachkomer! The countdown is now 36 days!

There is a Roy's here in Atlanta, and we have made reservations to go there on the 17th (which is the date of our actual anniversary).

I think we get to the Big Island the day after Iron Man, so we won't be able to see any of it.

Happy 20th anniversary to you!

When you arrive at the airport, you will probably be seeing a lot of athletes leaving.. But most try and stick around to relax after the race.

You would think they would all be so tired, but I betcha you see some people out riding on Sunday, the triathletes are a bit obsessive! Ha.

I have heard that you can tour some coffee farms and one place in Kona makes chocolate that is very good. If I find that article in my Hawaii magazine, I will post it.

Have fun! Don't over think it! Ha!!

My son-in-law did the Ironman 2005 in 11 hours 14 minutes and then we got lost on the alternate road (up the mountain) for 1.5 hours getting back to the 4s. He did not complain once during the endless car ride. Now that is a HERO!

sounds like a great time. We have been to the big Island twice and it along with Kauai are our favorites. While in the big island explore Waipio Valley. You can tour by van, or a donkey pulled cart or of course on your own. Getting down in a rental car could be a problem as it is steep. It is beautiful down there. Also when in VNP the Kiluaea lodge has really good food. It is a romantic restaurant. My husband and I went there on our honeymoon and anniversary. When going through Hilo and up North take the scenic route out of Hilo it is beautiful. There are falls in that area to see that are pretty. I forget the name I think it is Akaka Falls. Also as someone else mentioned the Hawaii Botanical Gardens are along that scenic road.

sorry to hi-jack your post Samsaf,
but Elanni, your son did awesome!

Wow! Maybe he didn't complain
because he was in that endorphin-
exhaustion fog...he probably thought
riding round in a car was better
than more exertion!! .Ha. Did he qualify or get in on the lottery?
Is he going this year?

Samsaf,
I hope you post a trip report, Kauai
is our "next" island, maybe in about
2 yrs.

Snorkelling at Kahaluu Beach is the best!! We were at Kona Makai for 5 days last September, and we went to Kahaluu every day. We were there for our 25th as well, and we also took the Blue Hawaii helecopter tour, out of Hilo. It was okay, but not really worth the money. We paid for the volcano and waterfall tour, and saw only 1 real small waterfall. To see the volcano from the air was cool though. They will happily take your $20 bill for a video as well.