The Quiet Before the Storm

Well, it took me about a month, but this will be the last post about our Big Island trip. I can't believe it has only been a month, as it already seems so long ago. Anyway, our last day, Friday, was spent relaxing. We were contemplating driving up North along the coast, but decided against it. Instead, D and I redeemed our voucher to rent a double kayak at A-bay. I was concerned that we wouldn't know when our hour was up. However, they were really laid back, and said they were sure we would be tired before the hour was up, anyway. We chased a couple of sea turtles, and it was fun for D and I to have a mini date while the kids were with Grandpa and Grandma. We also accidentally went pretty far out past the buoy that marked how far you were supposed to go, but like I said, they were lax. The water was calm, since we went in the morning. Afterward we all went to the beach of the Mauna Lani hotel and did some more snorkeling, while k continued to make sand castles.


n decided to take a mid-morning nap.


We ate lunch at the restaurant on the beach and went home so everyone could take a nap. Then we drove to the nearby Mauna Kea hotel to check out the grounds. This was the hotel hardest hit by the earthquake a few years back, and it underwent a lot of remodeling. It kept its 70's vibe, though.

Beautiful beach.


k was spoiled by being pushed in the stroller a lot that week. However, she agreed to walk down the stairs.


Me + n


For dinner we ate at Monstera at the Shops at Mauna Lani. It is a new Japanese restaurant featuring mainly sushi and noodles. We all enjoyed our dishes, but I was really impressed that they offered to make baby food for n! I told the waitress about his wheat allergy, so she consulted the kitchen, and they whipped up some carrot-sweet potato puree with a little bit of butter, along with some rice. Although he didn't eat too much of it (he was being really picky that entire week), I really appreciated the effort.

We retired to our condos and D and I watched the Olympics. And then we heard about the tsunami warning. And then, well, you've already heard that story!