Here we are! Three weeks into our stay on Hawaii, sittin' pretty. Feet up, beer in hand, sun tan, with thumb and pinky protruding from an otherwise closed fist that so accurately portrays this island's "hang loose" mentality.
We arrived on the island November 3rd. A day later than expected due to an untimely delay that left us in Honolulu, Hi well after the last plane for Kona had flown. A bit of persistence got us a complementary room for the night. After a long day of travel, still more to come, we crammed our faces with the best fast food i've ever had. We slept the remaining 4 hours of our "night" before we boarded the final flight to Kona.
Our first stop was The Lotus Cafe where we would meet the owners of the first farm we chose to work on. After Meeting Howie and Ladda at their restaurant, we were treated to some of their all organic, GMO free, locally grown Thai and Indian cuisine. I have never had such easy access to so much amazing and multicultural food. With the cafe being our main source of food, we have had unlimited access to the full menu that consists of over thirty different full sized entrees - each unique and delicious. The cafe also offers a full line of homemade Gelato and Juice. Suffice it to say we have not gone hungry.
The farm exists to supply the cafe with every need in the produce department. It is a medium sized operation strategically placed in and around the
jungle like terrain of the Western slopes of "The
Big Island". Every day we are up with the sun, and most days are finished by one o'clock. By mid day the penetrating heat of the tropical sun leaves you with no choice but to retreat to the cool blue pacific waters surrounding this giant volcanic land mass.
The farm/ cafe participates in three weekly farmers markets around Kona and Captain Cook. Darci and I have found the markets to be an abundant source of social interaction. Every week they are overflowing with characters from all walks of life. Each one with something new and interesting to offer to the scene.
With the afternoons and weekends open, we have found ourselves with more free time than we know what to do with. I found a few old bikes on the farm that were in need of some repair. with a little WD40 and some duckt tape the bikes were on the road again after what looked over a decade of storage. The bikes have been a great for getting around an we have put a good number of miles on them over the last few weeks.
We have, a little more recently, discovered the power of the thumb on this island. It has been the same for most of the islands I have been to. For whatever reason, I have found, a ride is always easier to come by on an island vs. the mainland.
We have rode/ hitched our way along most of the west side of Hawaii at this point. Coming across breath taking views of ancient cliffsides, and colorful reefs abundant with marine life.
Hiking the Captain Cook Monument Trail was a highly recommended experience by which we were not disappointed. The Three mile hike led us through tall (10') grassy planes, desolate fields of lava rock, and densely wooded underbrush that opened up to an oasis of white sand and palm trees. complemented by 500' cliffs in the background. The seemingly endless coastline of underwater lava tubes covered in coral and brightly colored fish had me forgetting to come up to breathe. With new sites being recommended to us every day, we are finding ourselves hard pressed to even scratch the surface of this tropical paradise.
Since arriving and settling on the farm I have managed to find my way onto a sailboat called Ariel that will be cruising up the Hawaiian islands over a two to three week period. She is a 57' sloop, well built fiberglass hull. I am getting on the boat at the northern most marina on the big island in preparation to cross the channel to Maui, and continue up the island chain. It is only a short trip, and I will be back on land working on the farm with Darci in a matter of a few weeks.
At this point, we continue to be mystified by every sight and sound that comes our way. Whether it be snorkeling, diving, hiking, sailing or farming, we are constantly experiencing new things, and meeting new people that will leave a lasting effect on our lives. Hawaii is a timeless place that will never be forgotten by anyone who visits.
