Captain Cook

Our final stop on our Hawai'i Island Christmas adventure was in Captain Cook just south of Kailua-Kona. On the trip from Kalopa to our hotel in Captain Cook, we saw a neat looking playground in Waimea that we stopped to check out. After about five minutes outside the car. Gabbi and Jacqui decided that it was a little too cold for playing outside... (it's all relative)

We stopped and hiked at the Puako petroglyphs. It was pretty amazing to see the figures that had been left behind by inhabitants from long ago. Unfortunately we left our camera behind.

We stayed at the Manago Hotel, which was a no frills, roof over your head type of place that worked just fine. The next day, we hiked down to Kealakekua Bay to snorkel. Jacqui and Gabbi did an awesome job on the 2 mile hike down to the Captain Cook monument and some beautiful snorkeling. The water was crystal clear and we saw incredible fish, corals, and sea stars!

Exploring Kealakekua Bay.


As you can see in the background, many people kayak across the bay to this awesome snorkeling spot. The hike was a little tough, but well worth it!


Taking a break after a snorkeling session.

On our final day we visited Pu'uhonua o honau'nau (the city of refuge). The history and native Hawaiian village that are on display were very interesting. We also spent some time exploring the tidepools there.

These figures are replicas of the originals. With the salt air, they last about 10 years.


Exploring the tidepools usually means finding cool things to hold like these pincushion urchins.



We say this honu relaxing in the calm of the tidepool area. Many people walked within about 20 feet of this one and didn't even notice. The shell and body color and shape blend so well with the rocks.

The red pencil urchins are really cool looking. We don't see them as often on O'ahu, so we especially enjoy finding them other places.


and of course, Jacqui and Gabbi completed their activities and becam Junior Rangers at Pu'uhonua o honaunau) and they can even say it...

Danielle and the girls dropped me off at the airport that afternoon for my trip back to O'ahu and they set off for the frigid northeast to visit family and friends.