Resort Town

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 pretty classy rooms and fittings by our standards and looks out over the fairway of one of the golf courses.  We think it might even be up to Justine's standards.
Part of the pool at the Hilton
We're not far from the rugged and dripping wet north eastern coast with its deep green valleys spilling out onto black sandy beaches We'll head over that way tomorrow. After a run and breakfast.

Had a bit of a practice swim yesterday afternoon.  Kim wore herself out on a long run and we both had tired legs from all the climbing on the bikes the day before so it was more finding a place where we could do a serious swim today.  And a bit of turtle spotting.

Dragged ourselves out of bed this morning and down to the beach for a comfortable temperature, pool smooth water solid hour of swimming.  Turtle count was moderate and the coral and sea life were pretty good once we were away from the murky shore.

By the time we were heading for Hawi on our bikes it was nearly midday.  Got to get used to the heat.  

The Kohala Coast. View west(ish) from the Highway as it climbs and winds its way up to the bike turnaround at Hawi.  The grass is struggling out of a lava field that is a couple of hundred years old.  Not even goats survive.
Better legs than two days ago and so keen to keep going we only stopped at Hawi long enough to fill our water bottles before heading back.  

Up tghe highway to Hawi.  The thing sticking out of the cloud is the next island north - Maui

Lots of glass, metal, stones, glass, occy straps, glass and stuff on the road.  So it wasn't a surprise to get our first puncture of the trip on the climb out of Kawaihae. 

Lunch.

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