Early Risers

I strangely feel like I am back at work after a very early get up today and a drive to the airport in Victoria. Even some fog for a realistic effect! Luckily work is the last thing I am thinking of as we head off to visit a "new to us" destination.

We had a late night evening with the Greater Victoria Police Pipe Band hosting their annual Burns Dinner at Mary Winspear Center.  In bed at midnight and up again just after 3 a.m. to catch our 05:40 departure to Vancouver. Jamming every minute of vacation time in! 

A quick flight over after a de-ice spray and we then went through the preclearance of US Customs & Immigration. Nexus sped us through nicely!

At the gate in plenty of time for our Air Canada Kona flight at 08:10.  Pushed at 08:02 local and away we went....  watched some downloaded content and slept a bit.

Flew past our accommodation on the way into KOA as it was off our left side as we approached the airport. Nice landing... arrived @ 12:07 local  40mins early give or take.  Clocks go back two hours here.

 

Arrival in KOA.. the heat was awesome.

 

Bag collection at 12:30 off to budget car rental.  Via shuttle bus which was fairly easy. 

Unfortunately lots of people lined up so that added another 40 minutes to get our car. We got a nice upgrade as our booked car was "unavailable' so we now have a Buick Enclave:-) . We took a video of the car, noting the existing imperfections. Off to our obligatory first stop... Costco!

 

A quick shop for some necessities.... beer, wine and some basic dinner items. Then a 30 minute drive north to our accommodation at Mauna Lani. Hugh & Simone along with Hugh's sister Sheila  and husband John met us and we enjoyed a nice beverage on the lanai. Later we went for a short walk to the beach for a dip in the ocean. 

Map reading... planning stages!

Cooking station in the BBQ area. Tri-tip tonight! 

Relaxation spot

View from the lanai.

 Back at the villa, we prepped dinner and then headed down to the BBQ central area to cook up the tri-tip. Met some other folks and shared some stories & BBQ tips.

 

Dinner was very good and then an early night for us as we are bagged... bed at 9pm!

 

Steps: 8,190

 

Weather: Victoria -2ºC Clear with some fog.  Kona 28ºC - Scattered cloud.