LUNCH WITH MY COUSIN

THE VIEW FROM OUR TABLE AT FISH HOPPER

We met up with Kathy and her husband Malcolm at the Fish Hopper along Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona, as planned. We nearly messed up. John and I were there nice and early and scored a front row table looking over the bay. After a cup of coffee I was looking for the loo and Kathy spied me. They were doing exactly the same thing as us but at the other end of the restaurant.

KATHY AND I

It was a great treat to meet up like this because we all have busy lives have never had an opportunity to meet other than at family gatherings. The weird thing about meeting in Hawaii is that in New Zealand we live a mere three hours drive apart. We had a great time catching up and sharing our travels. They will be back in NZ tomorrow while we still have 6 nights in our hotel near Waikiki Beach. This is our last night on the Coffee Plantation. I really don't want to go to Honolulu. I'm sure we will love it when we get there but being on Big Island is far more our style.

JOHN, KATHY AND MALCOLM

John and I had time to browse through the shops along Alii Drive. There was a huge variety beautiful crafts, fine jewellery, artists, clothing, every kind of souvenir and made in China shops. We enjoyed looking today as it wasn't quite as hot as yesterday. There has been a kind of sea mist blotting out direct heat from the sun most of the day. I think it's like inversion as the sea did not feel very warm to me. There are lots of restaurants, coffee shops, shaved ice and icecream. We had a leisurely icecream before returning to the car. Everywhere we go someone wants to talk to us about New Zealand. The people feel a strong link with us. I guess it's part of the Pacific Island thing and the Polynesian ties. It is surprising how many words are the same and how many are similar in the two native languages.

LOTS OF LOVELY THINGS

Tonight we are watching TV ... more of the Hula Competition which is the Merry Monarch Festival.

COFFEE PLANTATION AND HOUSE

I need to spread all our purchases out as well as what we brought with us. We need to pack with care as there is a very strict weight limit for checked luggage and they might weigh our cabin bags too. The excess is quite high so we'll be carrying more in our hands than usual and trying to pretend it's light as a feather. Right now I'm ready to go to bed. I was very late last night and it's catching up in spite of more coffee than usual today.