SOTR-Hawaii | FindPenguins

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Trip start
February 7, 2020
Traveler SOTR-Hawaii
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- Day 1
- Friday, February 7, 2020
- ⛅ 21 °C
- Altitude: 118 m
- Australia Tullamarine Airport -37.668354, 144.84617637°40’6” S 144°50’46” E
And so a new adventure begins.....
February 7, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
How exciting!! Have fun! We’ll have to pick your brains on your return as we’re thinking of going there in July!! Xx
2/7/20Reply
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- Day 1
- Friday, February 7, 2020 at 5:00 AM
- 🌙 19 °C
- Altitude: 11 m
- United States Honolulu International Airport 21.335159, -157.92411821°20’7” N 157°55’27” W
Time traveling
February 7, 2020 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 19 °C
Waiting for our connection to Kona before we even left Melbourne.....the wonder of travel through time zones.
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- Day 1
- Friday, February 7, 2020 at 12:01 PM
- ⛅ 24 °C
- Altitude: 5 m
- United States Kona International Airport at Keāhole 19.735371, -156.04130619°44’7” N 156°2’29” W
Day one goes on and on.....
February 7, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
We left Melbourne at 4.30pm Friday afternoon to arrive at Hawaii big island at 10.30am Friday morning via Honolulu.

After picking up THE BIGGEST car I have ever been in we set off to our accomodation at Kailua-Kona. Not wanting to give in to get lag we offloaded our bags and went to explore.Read more
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- Day 1
- Friday, February 7, 2020 at 10:00 PM
- 🌙 16 °C
- Altitude: 226 m
- United States Paleaku Gardens Peace Sanctuary 19.454012, -155.89115919°27’14” N 155°53’28” W
......and on and on
February 7, 2020 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 16 °C
Stopped at some roadside stalls to pick up some awesome macadamia and banana cake and huge avocados.

And a visit to St Benedict’s Painted Church overloading Kealakekua Bay.

Picked up salmon for BBQ dinner and ended the night soaking in the jacuzzi under a star lit night. And awesome and LONG first day.Read more
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- Day 2
- Saturday, February 8, 2020
- ☀️ 23 °C
- Altitude: 19 m
- United States Kahului Bay 19.625797, -155.98403719°37’33” N 155°59’3” W
Exploring the local area
February 8, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
We stumbled across an avocado festival- yep that is a thing, and were given THE biggest avocados I have ever seen for free.

Mooched around the local market stalls and treated myself to a hand printed sarong with a lesson on the many ways to tie it.

Stopped off to try the fish tacos and had to try a local Mai Tai cocktail or two.

Checked out the shops and had our first experience of Walmart- a supermarket on steroids.

The evening we ‘dressed up’ Hawaiian style for dinner to celebrate our friends birthday, followed by monster cocktails at Hugo’s on the rocks.Read more
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- Day 3
- Sunday, February 9, 2020 at 6:34 PM
- 🌙 20 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- United States Umis Well 19.480805, -155.93263319°28’51” N 155°55’57” W
A day on the water
February 9, 2020 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 20 °C
Early start to head out with Sea Quest for a morning adventure snorkelling first in Honaunau Bay (Place of Refuge) and the Kealakekua Bay and Captain Cook Monument. Exploring the Kona coast and it’s sea caves and Lava tubes, and we were treated to sights of Spinner Dolphins and Humpback whales. Just a ‘little’ seasick but the views under the water were worth it with the colourful fish, sea anemones and coral. Unfortunately Johnny had to stay on the boat as he couldn’t get his hand wet 😢.

Spent the afternoon kicked back and relaxing on the balcony with a book just chillin”.

I returned to Sea Quest to watch a spectacular sunset and a night time experience snorkelling with the Wild Manta Ray. I got to watch the sunset but the trip was cancelled due to sea sickness inducing weather- good decision I thought. Hopefully get to try again before we leave.Read more
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- Day 4
- Monday, February 10, 2020 at 9:00 AM
- ☀️ 19 °C
- Altitude: 12 m
- United States Punalu‘u Beach 19.136953, -155.50460819°8’13” N 155°30’17” W
A day on the land
February 10, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
We set off in a road trip to explore the southern half of the island

An early start in the pouring rain, with strong winds, cold and barren landscapes, followed by lush green and beautiful warm sunshine as we made our way to the southern most tip if the USA.

Stopping off at Punaluu bake shop to try their famous sweetbreads and pick up some morning tea from their awesome selection of Malasadas (a Portuguese donut).

Continuing on to Punaluu black sand beach to see the Green Sea turtles - well we did see one.

Next, the volcano national park- but see the seperate 👣 for that

Leaving the NP we headed to Hilo to see rainbow falls lookout before returning via saddle road to see the snow capped Mauna Loa at a ridiculously cold 46 deg and 2083m elevation.Read more
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- Day 4
- Monday, February 10, 2020 at 12:00 PM
- ⛅ 9 °C
- Altitude: 2,604 m
- United States Congressional District 2 19.489063, -155.44967719°29’21” N 155°26’59” W
The volcanos
February 10, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C
We visited the volcano national park to see the results of 70 million years of volcanism.

Volcanoes created the Hawaiian island chain and Kīlauea and Mauna Loa are two of the worlds most active volcanoes still adding land to the big island of Hawaii, unfortunately for us there is no lava flowing anywhere in Hawaii for us to see at the moment

First we walked the sulphur banks trail past the steam vents to the crater rim trail to view Kīlauea caldera. Then hiked the Kīlauea iki trail which took us through the base of the Crater. Unfortunately the heavens opened throughout the hike and we were soaked to the skin. Despite the weather we still completed the trail in record time -1hr 20 mins, apparently beating the Swiss with all their alpine climbing experience.

Unfortunately wikiloc didn’t record the elevation on return but here is the link
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/sotr-kila… (SOTR- Kīlauea Iki trail)

The weather didn’t stop us heading over to the devastation trail to view Kīlauea caldera from the other side. years of volcanism.

Volcanoes created the Hawaiian island chain and Kīlauea and Mauna Loa are two of the worlds most active volcanoes still adding land to the big island of Hawaii.

First we walked the sulphur banks trail past the steam vents to the crater rim trail to view Kīlauea caldera. Then hiked the Kīlauea iki trail which took us through the base of the Crater. Unfortunately the heavens opened throughout the hike and we were soaked to the skin.

But that didn’t stop us heading over to the detestation trail to view Kīlauea caldera from the other side.Read more
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- Day 5
- Tuesday, February 11, 2020
- ☀️ 24 °C
- Altitude: 10 m
- United States Kil Point 19.418799, -155.90912819°25’8” N 155°54’33” W
Place of refuge
February 11, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Today we visited the Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park. Imagine you had broken the kapu, the sacred laws, and the punishment was death with your only chance of survival being to elude your pursuers and reach the Pu'uhonua, a place of refuge.

Sound like something from the TV series Survival? Well this is probably where they would have got the idea from.

The park looked out into Hōnaunau Bay where we had snorkelled a few day earlier.Read more
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- Day 5
- Tuesday, February 11, 2020
- ☀️ 20 °C
- Altitude: 459 m
- United States Kealakekua 19.518543, -155.9201319°31’7” N 155°55’12” W
The ballet of the sea
February 11, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
We travelled the coffee belt in search of coffee farms to sample the local Kona coffee, my favourite was the Vienna blend.

During our road trip we stumbled across the small town of Kealakekua where we learnt the rules of crossing the road with a flag in hand. We had the most wonderful lunch at Rebel Kitchen, a great unexpected find with awesome drinks and fantastic food.
Whilst there we also dropped in at the donkeys balls chocolate factory and tried the many different types of balls, with our purchase being popped into a ball sac.

In the evening I headed back to Sea Quest for a second go at seeing the manta ray, this time with a night snorkeling trip. And I was not disappointed, OMG I now know why people have this on their bucket list. It was so awesome. I saw so many manta ray with one putting on such an amazing show, I now know why they call it them ‘ballet of the sea’. One continuously battle rolling under us and coming so close it actually touched my arm. The negative, the sea was so rough and choppy that most were sea sick.Read more
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- Day 6
- Wednesday, February 12, 2020
- ☀️ 25 °C
- Altitude: 12 m
- United States Hulihe‘e Palace State Monument 19.64308, -155.99772619°38’35” N 155°59’52” W
Last day
February 12, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Last full day on the big island and a chance to relax a little before two frantic days of early starts and travelling ahead.
A visit to Macy’s for a little shopping and Kona brewery for dinner. Last dip in the spa then packed and bed ready for an early start and our return trip homeRead more
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- Day 7
- Thursday, February 13, 2020 at 6:00 AM
- ⛅ 21 °C
- Altitude: 5 m
- United States Kona International Airport at Keāhole 19.735312, -156.04148919°44’7” N 156°2’29” W
Aloha to the big islsnd Hawaii
February 13, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
We say a sad aloha to the big island and to our fantastic hosts and the couple that made this trip a possibility Anna and Haydn. Hawaii was not on our bucket list to visit but it will definitively be on our places we would love to come back to.

Now for a whistle stop visit to O’ahu and Waikiki.Read more
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- Day 7
- Thursday, February 13, 2020 at 12:00 PM
- ☀️ 26 °C
- Altitude: 232 m
- United States Kuilei Cliffs 21.259762, -157.81178321°15’35” N 157°48’42” W
Diamond Head Hike
February 13, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Dropped our bags at the hotel and headed off to Diamond Head to walk the trail to the summit. Instead of getting a taxi we decided take in the area and walk to the trail head. Approx 8km return and just 1.3km to climb the 171m from the crater floor. The path is uneven and steep, and on passing through a tunnel you have choice of going right for breath taking steps (99 of them to be exact ) or left for breathtaking views. Actually both paths lead to the top and we chose to go right and return via the switchbacks.

If we had a choice we definitely would have done the hike early in the morning when hopefully it would have been a little less busy and a lot cooler, but that wasn’t an option and we shared the fantastic views at the top with just a few other people 😜Read more
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- Day 7
- Thursday, February 13, 2020
- ☀️ 27 °C
- Altitude: 22 m
- United States Royal-Moana Beach 21.275455, -157.82525521°16’32” N 157°49’31” W
Whistle stop visit to Waikiki
February 13, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
Lunch at Tiki’s with views over Waikiki beach before a dip in the water at the famous beach, then mai tai’s at Duke’s watching the surfers and not playing UNO - apparently you can’t play cards in a bar in Hawaii not even a child’s game.

What better way to watch our final and beautiful sunset in Hawaii than on the beach with a glass of bubbles. Dinner was had at a couple of food trucks tucked away behind the main strip, an unexpected and fantastic find.

Feeling more than a little tired from the early start and cram filled day we headed back to our room to share a bottle of bubbles, Hershey chocolate bar and caramel m&ms to celebrate Valentine’s Day as we would be spending ours on a plane.

Our day in Waikiki done and dusted, time for bed ready for another early start and travel home.Read more
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- Day 8
- Friday, February 14, 2020 at 5:33 AM
- ⛅ 23 °C
- Altitude: 24 m
- United States Honolulu International Airport 21.329201, -157.92535421°19’45” N 157°55’31” W
Aloha to O’ahu
February 14, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Aloha to O’ahu. Waikiki was like surfers on steroids, still going strong as we left for the airport at 5 this morning. Settled in the airport with a Starbucks and muffin feeling a little sad that this adventure is over minus the flight home 😢.
But definitely feeling the love this Valentine’s Day.Read more
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- Day 9
- Saturday, February 15, 2020 at 5:35 AM
- 🌙 0 °C
- Altitude: 93 m
- Australia Mount Grand -38.160897, 145.20792838°9’39” S 145°12’29” E
8 of 10 of 14 world cimate zones
February 15, 2020 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 0 °C
Hawaii Island possesses 10 of Koppen’s original 14 world climate zones and during our 5 day stay we experienced 8 of them.

A. HUMID TROPICAL CLIMATES
• Tropical Continuously Wet (Af)- atHilo
• Tropical Winter-Dry (Aw)-at Kealakekua Bay, Holualoa Coffee Belt & Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park.
• Tropical Summer-Dry (As)- at Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach
• Tropical Monsoon (Am)-X

B. ARID AND SEMI-ARID CLIMATES
• Hot Semi-Desert (BSh) at Kailua-Kona Village
• Hot Desert (BWh)-X

C. TEMPERATE CLIMATES
• Continuously Wet Warm Temperate (Cfb)-at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
• Summer-Dry Warm Temperate (Csb)-at Mauna Kea State Recreation Area.
• Summer-Dry Cool Temperate (Csc)-at Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station- we tried to visit but it was blocked due to protesters

E. ICE CLIMATES
• Periglacial Climate (ET)-at Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve- viewed from saddle roadRead more
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- Day 9
- Saturday, February 15, 2020 at 6:28 PM
- ⛅ 16 °C
- Altitude: 93 m
- Australia Mount Grand -38.160897, 145.20792838°9’39” S 145°12’29” E
All over......for now
February 15, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Arrived home to a grey and rainy Melbourne 😢 and already planning our next adventure.

Our 5 days on Hawaii saw us experience 8 of the 10 climates found on the big island from Krapper’s original 14 world climate zones.

Having left the UK quite a few years ago and never travelled to Hawaii or the USA previously we found it strange having to calculate the weather from Fahrenheit, work in lbs and buy our coffees in ounces. We stayed in a condo, talked on our cell, walked on the sidewalk, shopped in Walmart and Macy’s, took our groceries in paper bags, had food and coffee ‘to go’ and hired the biggest car we have ever seen -GMC yukon Denali. And we were amazed to find Valentine’s Day celebrated EVERYWHERE.

Loved loved loved the big island, it’s relaxed chilled out feel, it openness and connection to nature. We will definitely be back, in fact we are already planning a back packing trip around the island staying off the tourist trail.

Waikiki is surfers on steroids v high end Melbourne shopping. Kalebh would love it here except there is no male shopping in Valentino. For us, great stop over to connect flights but not for an extended stay.Read more
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Trip end
February 15, 2020