Hawai`i 2009: Day 21

Today was our last full day on the Big Island. Our flight out of Hilo tomorrow is fairly early (9:40am) and then we spend a great deal of the day at the Honolulu airport (which we plan to utilize as continued vacation time!).

We decided to get much of the packing and cleaning out of the way early this morning so it wasn't hanging over us throughout the day. By the time we finished, the sun came out and we enjoyed one last day in Lagoon Shangrila - the sun, the birds, the lizards, the lagoon, the hot tub. Dan made us fresh leis!



With a three week vacation in Paradise, one may expect an epiphany or some sort of revelation. I am not sure either of us has had anything so dramatic, but this morning on my jog I came to realize just how relaxed, calm, energized and confident I feel. I will bring this feeling back to the mainland, along with the Kona coffee and macademia nuts.



This being our third visit together to the Big Island, we've been able to dig a little deeper. See things a bit more from the local side, and explore more of the vast terrain. But more on impressions when we return.

We will surely miss this place.



In late afternoon, we decided to take one final stroll down to the tide pools for one last snorkel (for this trip). While a bit spooked from Wednesday's drowning, we had a few days to let it sink (bad choice of words) in. The tide pools are a safe place, and one that gives us great pleasure. While the tragedy might make us a bit more aware, we won't let it keep us out of the water. Withdrawing out of fear is just not the way to lead a full life. However, this time we used floaty devices and I loved it. I laid across a little board and enjoyed the fish and coral while feeling the sun on my back!

In keeping with the theme of indelibly etched positive memories, we headed back to Pahoa for our final supper on the Big Island. This time we tried Kaleo's, an Italian-fusion restaurant right at the beginning of the strip. We were first met by a greeter in the parking lot who told us where to park. At that point I knew this would not be a typical Pahoa joint. In fact, it was not at all. We walked into candles, red walls and a romantic atmosphere. Slowly, the parking lot filled and we can see why: this place is golden! Dan will write more about it.



Back at the house, we did some final packing and then lit all the tiki torches for one last round in the hot tub.