Category » Big Island Trip 2011 « @ Jeff Keller

Big Island 2011: Everything else

Posted on May 14th, 2011 Jeff Keller No comments

Rounding out my trip photos are those that didn’t fit in anywhere else. These were taken in various places around the island, mostly on the Hilo side. Hope you enjoyed these galleries!

This was how the weather was for most of the trip (photo taken in Keauhou)

A gloomy sunset near Waikoloa

Hapuna Beach = nicest beach on the Big Island

This was also the best weather I saw during my stay

The original statue of King Kamehameha

That would really hurt

Upcountry was so green, it might as well have been Ireland

Looking toward the ocean from Upcountry Hawaii

Waipio Valley

Waterfall next to Akaka Falls (already forgot the name)

Akaka Falls

Closer view
Big Island 2011: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Posted on May 14th, 2011 Jeff Keller No comments

One of the days during my trip was spent taking the long drive to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. I explored Kilauea — which has no lava flowing at the moment — and also took a guided hike of a rainforest on the slopes of Mauna Loa.Watch movie online The Transporter Refueled (2015)

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Black sand beach

Yet another sea turtle, this time on the black sand beach

An active spot in Kilauea’s crater

A closer look

Looking down the Chain of Craters road toward the ocean

Almost looks like a selective color shot

I love all the patterns and textures in lava

It’s amazing that anything grows in this environment

So much for this road…

This area looks even more stark in black & white

You can hike across this crater if you have a few hours

Nice photo in the rainforest

A type of pheasant

Bird nest

Cool leaves

Nettle that doesn’t sting

Nice texture

I like the contrast between the tree and the sky

A very cool tree

This is a flower on a very rare hibiscus tree
Big Island 2011: Kealakekua Bay

Posted on May 13th, 2011 Jeff Keller No comments

One of the mornings on my trip I took a catamaran ride to lovely Kealakekua Bay, which is a 45 minute “sail” from Keauhou Bay (south of Kona). The water was crystal clear and I saw some pretty cool fish!

My ride, the Fair Wind II. I have no idea what happened to the Fair Wind I.

Trolling for fish on the way

There are very few beaches on the Big Island — plenty of lava though

Besides taking a boat like I did, the only other way to get to the bay is rent a kayak and paddle a *long* way. I’m glad I chose the former.

Captain Cook monument

I think this is a black triggerfish

The first of many yellow tangs in this gallery

This is, by far, the most prominent fish at Kealakekua Bay

Pencil urchin

I think that’s another kind of triggerfish on the left

There’s some really neat coral here

No idea what this is, but very cool

Clear water + lots of coral + lots of fish = snorkel heaven

Moray eel!

Honu, AKA sea turtle!
Big Island 2011: Four Seasons Hualalai

Posted on May 13th, 2011 Jeff Keller No comments

I just got back from a week on the Big Island of Hawaii. I splurged a bit (okay, a lot) and stayed at the Four Seasons Hualalai, which is easily one of the best resorts I’ve ever been to. Service was amazing, the property was beautiful, and even the food was good. And my room! I got upgraded from a regular oceanview room to a $2300/night suite!

Unfortunately, the weather left something to be desired. It was wet for the first few days and pretty much overcast for the others. Those breaks of sunshine were welcomed, though.

Here’s the first set of trip photos, which I took around the Four Seasons resort:

Lobby

Lousy photo of living room

Bedroom

Massive balcony

View of King’s Pond and the ocean

Looking back across King’s Pond toward my room

The “famous” beach tree

I like this tree, too

Cool flowers at the resort

Another cool flower

The only nice day of the whole trip!

First turtle sighting, right on the beach in front of the hotel

Only decent sunset I saw

Here are a couple of underwater photos that I took while snorkeling in King’s Pond, which is the pool that my room looks out onto.

The state fish, the humuhumunukunukuapua’a

Fish of all sizes and colors can be found here

I felt like I was swimming in a fish tank!