Golfing

Another hot day in Hawaii. Dave and I woke early to make our 8:30 tee-time on the Mauna Kea course. It was a brutally difficult course in the brutally hot sun. I played about as well as I ever do… meaning I am a terrible golfer and really get my money’s worth on a difficult course. As always, Dave played well and complained about every shot. I don’t know what is more difficult – the course or Dave. We were paired with a nice couple from the Bay Area here to check on the house they are building on the course. Nice! On the third hole, the signature hole, we saw a huge turtle swimming in the “water hazard” (i.e. Pacific Ocean). Lisa was going to join us at the turn, but they wouldn’t let her on the course because she was wearing a tank top. (Of course, it was a BCBG tank-top and the Princess looked like a million bucks… but obviously the girl in the pro shop had no sense of style.) Lisa waited for us, lounging on the lanai off our room, crushed that someone said “no” to her. (May have been the first time, ever.)

3rd Hole – water hazard is the Pacific Ocean

We had all had enough sun for the day, so we decided to head into the Big City of Kona. (Nothing to appease a Pouting Princess like a little shopping.) Poncho & Lefty’s seemed like a good place for a late lunch/snack. They gave us a table on the second floor, over-looking the street. We were noshing on nachos when there was a big commotion in the street that runs along the beach below the restaurant. A wedding! The bride and groom, both native Hawaiian, were sitting on the back of a convertible, waving at everyone on the street. Several cars were escorting, while filming the love birds and the rest of the wedding party was following the convertible. All the cars were honking, people on the street were yelling and clapping – it was quite exciting! The bride was wearing a traditional white wedding gown, but was wearing a colorful orchid wreath around her head instead of a veil. The groom was in a traditional tuxedo, but his vest was a Hawaiian print. The entourage was very colorful and happy. Our waitress said this was a common sight in Kona on the weekends.

After our lunch, we went to a total tourist trap, Hilo Hattie’s, to buy chocolate-covered macadamia nuts for Kelsey. Of course, we did pick-up a few souvenirs for ourselves! It was really a fun store, chock-a-block with tropical shirts, muumuus and other assorted things we can all live without – but seriously - why? (I hope everyone just loves my new puka shell ankle bracelet - $7 – much dearer than my usual 3/$1 from Mazatlan.)

We then drove north towards our hotel, stopping by the Waikoloa Village to look through the shops and hotels in this area (future vacation research). Hawaiian music again was playing on the radio. This time the theme was not revolution, but revenge: “If you play around with my wife, I will poke you with my knife.” Lovely sentiment.

We loved the Hilton Waikoloa Village. We walked through the hotel, looking at their fabulous art collection and admired the light rail system and gondolas. The hotel is so large, you would be late for lunch if you left your room for breakfast! The kiddie pool was hopping. It gets dark about 7:00 p.m. and the hotel was showing a Disney cartoon movie on a screen over the pool. Kids were on floaties in the pool watching, or on lounge chairs around the pool snacking on popcorn! What fun! The big draw at this hotel is the Dolphin Lagoon, where you can swim with dolphins. It is pretty sad… swimming with trapped animals… but the attraction is so popular there is a lottery held daily at the resort for a chance to swim with Flipper. The Waikoloa Village is a great resort area.

Lisa and Dave

Back to our hotel for dinner overlooking the ocean. We each had tomato and Maui onion salads. Lisa had tuna sashimi for dinner and Dave and I split a cheese pizza. I snapped this photo of my two favorite people after dinner – the gardens at our hotel are lit at night with tiki torches. Has DT had enough sun? I am exhausted from playing golf in the heat and am looking forward to a good night’s sleep.