And exactly what year was it that you visited TBI?

Quick story. When we arrived in Kona - I had a pretty good tan and had let the hair grow a bit before the wedding - and had been body surfing and snorkeling - so the mop had a sort of blond/sea washed appearance - and I guess I looked local.

On the way to do something - I pulled into the shopping center on the hill - above the Racquet club - and was just wearing some swim trunks and flip flops - and had the top down on the jeep.

As I was leaving - I looked up - and on the deck at the then Don Drysdale restaurant - overlooking the parking spaces - was none other than my accountant - who had an office just down the hall from me in La Jolla.

He was about 30? yards away - I yelled Chuck - and he looked up and just sort of waved, but didn't really recognize me.

When we got back - I had some fun with him and asked if on his trip - had any of the locals greeted him. He didn't mention this right away - but when I asked him more about it - he said: Was that you - I can't believe it.

We were a bit more formally dressed during office hours back in the day - during the 80's.

Marginal: That was in 1986 - about my 3rd time on the Big Island - and have been back several times since - the last about 4? years ago.

Why?

tomsd and 22tango; We may have changed course. I noticed that some of the condos at the Aloha site has A/C at just over $100 PN. Wife, with allergies, now would like to have A/C, so you have given me a good resource. Thanks

Iris also as I wrote above, check out: VRBO # is 407056 it has air and is beachfront. It is the one we are renting 2013

I just returned from Kona last week. Spent 11 nights at Kona Mansion 227. I can't speak for any of the other units in this condo development, but I thought KM 227 was an incredible value for the money. 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bath. AC (wall unit) downstairs. Ocean view from the living room and master bedroom. I asked the owner for his best price (all inclusive of taxes, etc.). The down side is that the second bedroom is small and not as well ventilated. Also, this is a second floor unit with no elevator and getting heavy bags up can be a chore. The absolute best feature is location. Less than a two minute walk to the Royal Kona Resort, where I spent many hours on the veranda. Free parking and a five minute walk to downtown. You might check it out if cost is important to you.

cnelmor, tell us about Kona itself. We will be there in Feb and withi walking distance to town. We chose that on purpose in order to be walking distance to the Farmer's Market, restaurants, and stores. Is it too crowded? Is it congested? We plan on driving to all the snorkeling/diving beaches. I would be interested in any information you have.

I think you're wise renting a place with A/C, Iris, even if it is right on the shoreline, and especially if your wife has allergies. Because the tradewinds are more prevalent during summer months, so there's more stuff in the air, including VOG, particularly from Kailua south.

The town is actually called Kailua, cd. It's small, and easily walkable. Which means it's also congested. Shopping is almost all tourist targeted; restaurants too. And, it's a bit worn around the edges. My wife described it as still lost in the '60s. But it's pleasant, generally clean, and most importantly, in paradise. Not sure what else to say about it, unless you have a question.

Cnelmor, I wonder if we saw each other at the Royal Kona Resort. We spent a fair amount of time at Don's Mai-Tai Bar. 8-)

Thanks 22tango. Actually I kinda like being lost in the 60's makes me feel like a teenager again What places do you recommend for dinner? Drinks with a view? snorkeling? Diving?

cd,
Except for a dinner at Sam Choy's Kai Lanai - view great, food good - we usually had lunch as our main meal of the day. Most memorable of those were at the Hau Tree up at the Mauna Kea Resort and the Beach Tree at Four Seasons Hualalai. Beautiful settings at both places, and wonderful food. For casual meals, we liked Rebel Kitchen and Annie's, both south of town towards Kealakekua and Honaunau Place of Refuge (which both have some of the best snorkeling in the islands). Evenings we most often had drinks and pupus, our favorite spot being the previously mentioned Don's Mai-Tai Bar. Nice views there, too. Huggo's is fun, in an island-kitschy kind of way.

Neither of us dive, but we both loved the snorkeling at Honaunau (google "two step at Honaunau Bay") and near the Capt. Cook monument in Kealakekua Bay. Two step you can do on your own, but Kealakekua you'd need/want to go with a licensed and permitted operator. We did a kayak and snorkel tour with Hawaii Pack and Paddle, and I'd highly recommend them. http://www.hawaiipackandpaddle.com/ Snorkeling is also supposedly good at Kahalu'u Beach, but Kona area snorkeling shops have been asked to discourage it there so the reef can heal.

We also snorkeled at some of the northern beaches, Kua Bay and Waialea Bay being our favorites, but they're better known for swimming and/or boogie boarding. Came face to face with a turtle at Kua Bay though.

Another activity I bet you'd enjoy is a night snorkel/dive with manta rays. We did one with Jack's Diving Locker; simply amazing!!! http://www.jacksdivinglocker.com/cha...mantanight.htm

What is pupus? Thanks for all the information! Jacks has already been planned for our son-in-law diving with the manta rays. I did not know you could also go along and snorkel. Could you tell me the cost please?
Thanks again!

Pupus is the Hawaii equivalent of appetizers or tapas.

The snorkelers go out on different boat, but to the same location as the divers. Here's the scoop on the trip offered through Jack's: http://www.jacksdivinglocker.com/sno...ntasnorkel.htm.

LOL. Pupus is the Hawaiian word for pre dinner snacks - aka - Hors d'oeuvres.

When we went for our night dive off Kona - the manta rays weren't around but we did enjoy seeing an octapus jet away from us like crazy - being propelled by it's ink.

A few years later I was fortunate to dive with 22 foot giant manna rays off Flamingo Beach - Costa Rica - and they are a trip. They can come up on top and jump like a flying fish.

Just amazing.

And also love the poki at Sam Choy's - Honolulu anyway.

I called and snorkelers can go on the same boat for $125.00. She said they have a huge ring that they hang-on to and can also see the manta's

Thanks Iris for letting me highjack your tread, perhaps you can use the same info!

The reason we took the snorkelers only trip was that the dive boat goes out a couple hours earlier (and I think returns a little later). And there's not much to do on the boat if you're not diving. But yes, big noodle ring that everyone hangs onto.

22tango, did you see manta's?

Yes. One of our guides counted 9, a couple of which were huge; guessing 12'- 14' wingspan. They'd glide by below or swim straight towards the dive lights we all held, turning away within inches of touching us. Like an underwater ballet.

Our boat captain told us he'd been skunked four straight nights the previous week, though.

skunked?

Shut out, blanked, nada - as in zero manta rays.

Thanks Tomsd. I would hate to pay that kind of money and not see any, bummer!