Hawaii 4.0

Roads don't go in all directions here - too hard to grind out a road over the lava flows.  Which means there is a limited number of places to go.  And the roads either go up down or around the volcanic peaks. We headed over to the lush north coast to check out the Waipio  From the east Must get plenty of rain The view out (and they have electricity) Valley.  It is the largest of several that are cut into the windward side of the island.  They are green and look productive.  Looks to be a population of a few hundred at most but they say up to 10,000 used to live there a couple of hundred years ago. The road down into the valley is open to 4wds.  Which we didn't have so we walked.  It is paved, narrow and winds its way down the side of the valley entrance with grades up to 25%.  Hard on the knees walking down, hard on the muscles going up. After the swim Most of the land in the valley is owned ...

We're staying in Waikoloa.  It's about 50 ks north of Kailua where transition for the ironman is but it's just off the road on the bike course.  In the past we've called in on our way up the Queen Kaahumanu Highway when riding the course in training. Thought is was just a couple of resorts.  It is but it also has at least two golf courses and about five huge hotels - all built on a lava flow from over 100 years ago. Lava and golf courses (and the King's Trail on the right) There's a sandy beach with reasonable snorkelling and lots of palms and lawn - all constructed and kept going by millions of sprinklers.  This is the dry side of the island so we are guessing that they are collecting water that percolates through the lava flows and use it to keep everything here alive.  Dunno where the effluent from thousands of resort guests goes. Hilton guests choose to get the train or a boat to their room We are in a pretty cheap one which still has p...

By the time we picked up our car at the airport, found the right side to get in each time I got out, cruised down the Queen K and found our Condo at Waikoloa, drove up the hill to Waikoloa town for $200 worth of expensive Hawaiian groceries and ate our standard pasta meal it was bed time. Waikoloa is a mass of development - all resorts. After several attempts over a couple of hours we dragged ourselves out of bed, our bodies still trying to be four hours earlier.  So we thought we'd force them into the time zone by getting on our bikes and heading off into the wind.  And heat.  It was 11:30 by the time we left finally and well into the 30s. For the next few hours at least we would be free from the worry of being washed away. I'd cleverly put Kim's together the night before so after I picked up my hire bike and made a few adjustments we headed north to the most reliable coffee we are aware of; in Hawi - which is the turnaround point for the ride for the iro...

May 2017, Port Macquarie. Kim qualified for the Hawaiian Ironman. Again. So our trip this year is sorted - we're off to the big Island for some beautiful Hawaiian pineapples.  And some hot, windy, hilly training and a huge day out for Kim on the second Saturday in October. The days before we left were normal.  Training for us in the morning, leisurely retired-man's breakfast, sort out the day's work, work for a couple of hours, home for lunch when Kim arrives home from training, another coffee and back out to work. Much less stressful when you are going somewhere where you have been.  Not such a challenge finding you way around the airport.  Or town. It's exciting flying into Honolulu.   Waikiki.  And a plane wing. It's not exciting having to lug bags and bike to the departures terminal and negotiate the thousands of other tourists clogging the terminal building.  And the customs lady took our bags for inspection and assured us ...