What a Wonderful Suprise! Kona, Hawaii!

Beach, Hawaii, Manini'owali Beach, Pacific, Kona
Kua Bay - Kalaoa, HI
Something we never expected in Phoenix....We were invited to Hawaii! And yes, I took that photo! Kona is VERY photogenic!

Our landlords in Phoenix were amazing, during our 6 months there we became close friends with them. Friends that became family. We can't wait to get back there visit them! We shared so much quality time together during our stay. We even took a week-long trip with them to Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, the Big Island. 
Window Seat Shot of The Big Island - Thanks Southwest!

We went snorkeling with Manta Rays! First up, we did an amazing excursion on day two there. We snorkeled with Manta Rays, what an unforgettable experience! We used a company called Manta Ray Dives of Hawaii and they were great. We did their "Manta Ray Night Dive & Snorkel". If you only do one thing in Kona, this should be toward the top of your list.
Kona, The Big Island

Pacific, Ocean, Nature, Beauty,

The beaches, oh my goodness! We're from Miami and have taken our share of Caribbean cruises, we have seen some pretty beaches in our time, but the beaches in Kona are on another level. The stark contrast between black lava-flow rock, blue waters, and white sand are stunning. We visited so many gorgeous beaches during our week there. If we had to pick; Manini'owali Beach (Kua Bay), was our favorite.
Beach, Hawaii, Manini'owali Beach, Pacific, Kona
Kua Bay - Kalaoa, HI


































plantation, dark roast, cafe, coffee beans, small batch, fair trade
Greenwell Farms Coffee

We drove all around the Big Island during our week there. One of the many places we visited was Greenwell Farms. We did a  Coffee Plantation Tour there. We learned a lot! Then we tried their excellent small batch, fair trade coffee. We bought a bag to enjoy with our hosts while we were there. 

Being from Miami we visited Key West multiple times, my wife and I actually got married there. We've been to the "Southern Most Point" marker in Key West and just assumed that was the southern most point... Turns out, it's not! The Southern Most Point in the United States is on the Big Island. It's beautiful there! Crashing waves, a place where people are cliff diving, and a beach called Mahana Beach.
Kona, The Big Island
Mahana Beach - South Point Park - Hawaii
Kona, The Big Island
Mahana Beach - South Point Park - Hawaii
Kona, The Big Island
South Point Cliff Dive - Hawaii

Kona, The Big Island

We visited Punalu'u Black Sand Beach Park where we ate sandwiches and watched sea turtles in the water just offshore. 
black sand, volcanic, hawaii, kona, the big island
Aloha Sign at the Entrance to Punalu'u Beach

kona, the big island, volcanic, lava
Punalu'u Black Sand Beach

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park was the next stop! Wow, what surreal place. We hiked Kilauea Iki Trail, a loop hike, where we walked across the lava flow crater created by a volcano. We walked through a huge lava tube called Nahuku Thurston Lava Tube. We visited an area where you could see steam coming from vents all around. I've never experienced anything like it! 
kona, the big island, volcano
Volcanoes National Park

kona, the big island, volcano

hawaii, kona, the big island, volcano

kona, hawaii, the big island

kona, hawaii, the big island
kona, hawaii, the big island

kona, hawaii, the big island, pacific ocean
Pololū Valley Lookout

The beauty is just crazy! I'll never forget this experience!
kona, hawaii, the big island
Kiholo Bay

kona, hawaii, the big island
Kiholo Bay

Kona, The Big Island, Hawaii
Kiholo Bay

Lava flow and lava rock right next to that beautiful blue water!

kona, hawaii, the big island

kona, the big island, hawaii
Kiholo Bay

kona, hawaii, the big island
Kiholo Bay

kona, the big island, hawaii

hawaii, kona, the big island, hawaiian

Our last evening and final Pacific Sunset for a while!
kona, the big island

kona, hawaii, the big island, employee owned, community owned, drink local

kona, the big island, sunset

palm trees, fronds, the big island, kona

sunset, kona, the big island, usa, united states
We are forever grateful for our new friends and our time spent in Phoenix and Kona. 
Location: Kailua-Kona, HI, USA

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