Sunset in Paradise

What to do around sunset?  How about a little shopping.



A little sight seeing, even if it is just looking back at the hotel.



A walk on the beach.



Watch the waves rolling in.



And taking a dip (actually not Kat this time. Thanks random lady!)

-jon

Deep Fried You Say? Mark's Place it is!

All the local places had awesome shit food. For instance, this deep fried tuna belly at Mark's Place. It was phenomenal, greasy, filling, and fatty. And our first experience that the local food is generally a terrible combination of cheap ingredients and fat. Traditional food, and restaurant food was quite good. But, seemingly, due to the high cost of food, the local joints trafficked in high-fat and low quality fair. Of course, they did not forget the delicious.

They also didn't forget the requisite rooster. Seen here enjoying a meal with Katherine.
jon

There's A Monastery In Them There Hills

Up in the mountains there was a small, but notable Hindu Monastery. It was a long trip on a rainy day to go see, but we did have some planned stops along the way.

We actually intended on going to see the Iraivan Temple (http://www.himalayanacademy.com/ssc/hawaii/iraivan/ ) , but were foiled. When we called in the morning we were informed that you could go and visit any time of day, just to find out that the tour to the Iraivan Temple was only available by reservation at 9 am.

What was truly odd about the experience was all the white people. I mean, all the monks were white people, the visitors were about half white half not. Somehow, and this is the weird part, it felt less genuine that each of these monks chose to be, instead of grew up in a Hindu society. It is a feeling that this space is somehow "fake", an almost Disney "this is a temple" feel, instead of having the feeling it is a temple.

This assertion is; completely, absolutely, unquestionably unfair. I have no doubt that the people worshiping here regard their religion in the highest esteem. But, well, that's how it feels.

It also doesn't help that I'm a stupid tourist who doesn't understand their traditions.

jon

To Get to The Other Side.

Duh.

Jon

Birds? In a Hotel??

Each morning the staff brought out four birds of paradise to the common area of the hotel. What was amazing about this space is that it was both open air, and in the hotel. The lobby was covered only along the halls and at the check-in desk. Otherwise it was a grand open space.

The gardening around the hotel contained the most spectacular flowers we saw the whole trip.

In fact, outside of the hotel we saw very few flowers. There was one truly spectacular wild orchid, but it was far to far to capture on 'film'

Upon exiting (or entering I guess) the hotel there was a giant koi pond with two black swans. When you walk up to the pond they immediately chase up to you, but when I took a picture instead of feeding them they quickly swam away.

jon

No, the License Plates Aren't Kidding

There are, in fact, rainbows everywhere on the island. It is that rain for a minute, then get clear type of weather that breeds the colorful wonders. In fact, we could see this bow from end to end, it was certainly a site to behold.
jon

Blow Hole!

Hey, maybe by the time this posts I'll figure out how to view and post my videos. Oh man, they are huge, and my blasted computer can by no means handle the size. Outside of buying a MacBook, anyone have advice?
jon