Boy, this is a very different site than the Europe site I visit constantly as I plan for our monthly trip each summer. I have learned so much from that site (and made e-mail friends, and had many chuckles over e-mails as well).<BR>But perhaps on a very positive note, we're going back to the big Isl. (Kona) on the 13th for the 2nd time in 4 years-- I need some R&amp;R (Europe trips are always "on the go" for us. Besides the usual great restaurants does anyone have any "out of the way, eclectic, interesting restaurants. Also, any recommendations for a SCUBA company? I'm research certified, and last time on the Big Island went diving in 10 feet of bare sand w/ this dumb rental company. Yuk. Any nifty recommendations? We'll be near Kona for a week of R&amp;R (We're 40- like to sleep in, do something interesting during the day, then eat at wonderful ($$ doesn't matter much) places for dinner. We're from CA (I guess it just means we don't want to lay on the beach all day- I have a beach 5 minutes from my front door). And get friendly on this site! Goodness; I thought this was all about HELPING people!<BR>Jane from Capistrano Beach

Jelly - True. But we can't forget posters like Noach and the others who engaged in controversy. That was the fun days.<BR><BR>In all my travels, I have never used a travel agent. I readily spotted them on this forum. Especially the ones hawking the Islands. I had all of the Orient, and I consider the Islands the Orient, that I want in '50, '51 and '52. Never will go back. I also include the whole state of Oregon in that catagory.