Big Island trip - need input

July 11, 2012 - Really Freaking Early

Moi moi a. (Inability to sleep).

Since I am awake at Midnight (going to hate that at work tomorrow) I thought instead of tossing and turning I'd look up some information and ask for some input. One of the ladies here at the house. Romi (a professor from Texas) invited me on her trip to Big Island and to share her hotel room and rental car. Romi is thrilled to have a travel buddy and not be going by herself. I even managed to book on the same flights so we can share transportation costs to and from the airports. Seems like a perfect option to see some of the big island for a less than astronomical cost. I got my plane tickets today. Roundtrip $192.00 not too bad.

HA318	Friday, July 20, 2012	Oahu - Honolulu (HNL) 09:27 AM	Big Island - Kona (KOA) 10:09 AM	Coach/Nonstop

HA347	Sunday, July 22, 2012	Big Island - Kona (KOA) 03:23 PM	Oahu - Honolulu (HNL) 04:06 PM	Coach/Nonstop

So basically I have almost all day Friday, Saturday and till about 1-2ish Sunday depending on how far the airport is from the hotel. The hotel is the Sheraton Keauhou Bay in Kona. It looks amazing.

Some options:
1) Chocolate making: Saturday there is a "Bean to Bar" chocolate making class at the hotel.They take you to the farm, you see cocoa beans growing and harvested, the take some to the hotel and make chocolate and get to keep a bar you made yourself. Pretty neat. Cost: $65.00 and is Saturday 9:30-4. Romi is going specifically for this. If I don't take this I am able to use the rental car while it is going on.

2) Volcanoes/Helicopter tour: I absolutely MUST see volcanoes. With the broken ankle hiking through Volcanoes National park will be difficult to say the least. I think the only way to do this reasonably is a helicopter tour. The Blue Hawaiian Helicopters Big Island tours is probably the way to go. The Circle of Fire and Waterfalls tour probably. Cost: Expensive at $196-$241 for a 50 minute tour and $25 extra for a video of your flight views. Probably an amazing experience of a lifetime though. Morning or afternoon flights every day. I don't know if there are other helicopter tours available for this.

3) Black sand beach: Punaluu black sand beach. Cost: Free. It will take a while to drive there but it open anytime I believe. I have never seen a black sand beach. Could be interesting.

4) Manta rays: The hotel offers this option -  Manta Talks The most amazing "entertainment" on the island! Manta Rays can be seen most evenings from our special viewing area. Complimentary manta talks are held nightly except Sundays just after sunset to provide guests an introduction to the famous Keauhou Manta Rays. Through a short presentation by manta experts, guests learn about their amazing size, the difference between Manta and Sting Rays, and why Mantas are unique to and frequent the Keauhou area. Cost: Free. Friday and Saturday evening at the hotel.

5) Snorkeling with manta rays at night: The Fair Wind Big Island Ocean Guides have a night time snorkeling adventure to snorkel with manta rays. Manta rays don't have stingers so are not dangerous unlike stingrays. This is very close to the hotel. The Travel Channel calls it “ONE OF THE TOP-TEN THINGS TO DO IN YOUR LIFETIME”. Cost: $99.00 for snorkeling, more to dive but I can't dive. Friday or Saturday night. Amazing once in a lifetime thing. Should be safe :)


6) Mauna Kea Summit: From website, "We invite you to experience what is quite possibly the most dramatic and stimulating scenery to be found anywhere, either on or off planet earth.  Journey to the top of this spectacular mountain in the comfort of our luxury vans, enjoy a hearty meal, watch the breathtaking sunset and stargaze at the heavens." The tallest mountain on earth when measured from the sea floor. Travel to the summit with narration from tour guides in vehicles. Dinner provided. Snacks at hot drinks at summit. At summit watch sunset and stargazing through telescopes. Cost: $200. Time: 7-8.5 hours.

• Extremely informative narration from our highly trained guides
• Convenient central pick-up points in Kailua Kona, Waikoloa or at the highway 190/200 junction
• Van Terra 4x4 micro-coaches - more comfort, more space and panoramic views
• Superb scenery and photo opportunities with Sunset on the summit
• Arctic style hooded parkas and gloves
• Delicious and hearty meal choices served on the  Visitors Center's lanai about 1.5 hours before sunset
• 11" Celestron CPC 1100 telescopes (90% more powerful than 8" scopes carried by other companies on Mauna Kea)
• Stargazing program with our powerful telescopes (weather permitting)

This could be booked this time of year with such short notice. This could be another once in a lifetime thing. I probably wouldn't die :)

There are probably a million more things but with the ankle not completely healed at that point I don't think much hiking or being rough on it would be wise. I would greatly appreciate any thoughts, suggestions, donations (GRIN), etc.Hoping to hear something from those of you reading this...

Me ka aloha pumehana, (With kindest regards, warm aloha)
~Melissa