In 1997 we tried a summer vacation to Hawaii for a change. We took
three weeks to go to California and then on to Hawaii for a three island
tour.. (not Gilligan's) We had a lot of fun on our stop over in California
where we visited Universal Studios and did the usual fun 
things
like the Jurrasic Park ride. We skipped on to Ohau where we spent three
days on Waikiki beach ( Honolulu) , nice but too much like any other big
city. Enjoyed the beach and boogey boarding ( When can't surf you boogey).
From Waikiki we flew to Kuaui where we stayed at the Kihuana Plantation,
a beautiful set of condos on the southwest side of Kauai that was devestated
in '95 by hurricane Iniki. The plantation was fully restored and condos
were quite beautiful.. On this island we rented a Jeep Wrangler and drove
all around the island looking 
for
the waterfalls and secluded beaches with good snorkelling. We found lots
and especially enjoyed the beach at the north end of the road that was
as far as you could drive to view the Napoli coast. Here we found great
snorkelling and breath taking scenery. You really can't begin to imagine
the kodak picture spots in this state, on every turn of the road.
From Kauai we flew to Hawaii (The Big Island ) with an unscheduled
stop at Honolulu. After a small delay we pushed on to the big island which
is the newest, as it is still being formed with volcanic activity. Here
we stayed at the Kona Reef Condos in Kona which is on the west side of
the Island. We found a great snorkelling spot here and made our way to
it every morning for a swim with the fishes. We spent one evening up at
Volcanoes
National
Park where we waited till dark to see the lava flows down the side of the
hills. We regret not taking the helicopter ride to see the volcano eruption,
but that gives us a reason to go back. This Island is constantly changing
and no matter where you drive you run into places where there were lava
flows over the past 60 years. We spent lots of time touring this island
in a rental mini-van and especially enjoyed the black sand beaches and
the City of Refuge, a religious cleansing spot for the ancient natives
of the island.
From Hawaii we made our way back to California and then back to Timmins.
