Day 13 We woke today to the sound of heavy rain on the roof which actually eased over breakfast. The sun came out and suddenly we saw the beaches opposite the house in a new light! Blue sky, blue sea, welcoming looking snorkelling coves. Ideal for us to be able to make use of all the water sports kit in the basement - a kayak, SUP, boogie boards and snorkelling kit. Meanwhile, Rainbow falls called - best seen early morning with the sun on your back for the best v...

Day 12. The day started super early today... Having missed seeing the red glow of the caldera last night, we made an early morning visit. Bill, awake with his cough, did a recce at 4.30am and returned with a thumbs up. Thus at 5am we were all up and dressed and walking across the Jaggar Centre car park to the Crater Overlook. This time the skies were clear, the stars were bright and the crater was clearly visible with its steep sides and red glow with steam drift...

Day Awoke gently to the sound of birdsong - no surf! Warm sunlight poured through the shuttered windows onto our large four poster bed with lovely cool cotton sheets. We enjoyed morning tea and the boys bundled in, happy and excited 'like centre parcs'! We made a plan for the day and then headed over to the lodge for breakfast - half a papaya with lime, followed by a selection of omelettes, eggs & bacon, potatoes, mushrooms, tomatoes and banana pancakes w...

Day 11. Our last day in Kona and our last day with Sharky. One last morning waking up to the sound of surf.... Mike and Chris appeared early and headed out into the surf break, painted pink by the dawn light off Banyans. Bill acted as photographer on the balcony and Kathy followed them out for a spot of early morning boogie boarding. On return it was full steam ahead with breakfast and packing, and then the boys headed off to the airport to arrange transport ho...

Day 10. A very slow start today. B and K were up with the lark, well earlyish, anyway, but after a very late return last night there was no sign of life from the boys. Bill surfed the Banyans break and Kathy snorkelled the reefs around the Banyan headland. We returned to the apartment just before ten and find Chris awake but feeling weary with painful blistered feet and Mike and Sharky waking with distant memories of evening in Humpys, an Ironman after-party w...