The Big Island

On my last trip to Hawaii I would have been content to stay on Maui the entire time. But my friends were insistent that we journey to the Big Island, a move to which I agreed only reluctantly. I'm glad they persuaded me, because it represents Hawaii in ways that aren't captured by other island. . . .

For one thing, the Big Island is home of the only coffee crop on American soil! The locals capitalize on this fact, bombarding tourists with messages all over the island: Buy coffee! Drink coffee! Drink more coffee! Buy some and ship it home to your friends! Don’t forget your poor Aunt Clara in the nursing home! Here, have a 10-gallon cup of Kona! Drink up! Support Hawaiian coffee growers! Blah! I fell under the spell of this subtle advertising and quickly found myself in the throes of a five-day caffeine buzz.

Actually, it was the smell that got me. That rich, Kona coffee that costs about nine zillion dollars a pound gives off an aroma that’s irresistible; and the smell along justifies the price. But you don’t have to pay the shipping premium in Hawaii, so I stocked up. And drank up. And drank some more. And still more. Remember the old Beavis and Butthead episodes where Beavis gets jazzed up on coffee and starts playing Cornholio? Well, that was me.

We stayed in Holualoa — where there are many fine hotels – but ours was the KonaLani, which is actually on a coffee plantation. Upon arrival, instead of the usual rum punch routine, they presented us with leis made of coffee berries! We spent an entire day touring the Kona Coffee Company, which was probably the most educational thing I did during my entire trip. I felt like we got a fairly sanitized presentation in terms of worker conditions and the like, but Kona does seem to have a genuine concern with environmentally-correct coffee production, and takes steps to preserve the soil with practices such as intercropping with rice. The farming aspect of it was all new turf for me, and it’s changed the way I think when I enjoy morning coffee, much the same as my travels in Bordeaux have changed how I appreciate wine.

More on Maui

One of my New Year's resolutions was to stop procrastinating, and here it is January 9th already and I haven't written a real "travel post" this year. I guess I've procrastinated resolution to stop procrastinating.

I just talked to my folks a few days ago, and all the weather you've been having has spurred me into action: You might, after all, be thinking of a trip to Hawaii. So here's some more of my picks . . .

I left off in Maui, and I'll resume with the town of Kihei, located on the southwestern part of the island. I'd be remiss if I didn't point out one attraction that could havfe specific appeal for Snyderites: Makena Stables . That's right, it's a riding stable, Hawaiian style. I'm happy to report that they use American-style saddles (versus British); and while they don't expect it, no one will look askance if you don your cowboy hat. You'll get to ride all over the 20,000 acre Ulapalakua Ranch, which looks exactly like Scurry County ranches . . . only with palm trees, ocean and tropical vegetation.



Also while in Kihei, you won't want to miss "The Kams," more formally known as Kamaole Beach Parks. As the name implies, it's more than one beach -- there are three, in fact, and each of them has a distinct appeal. I found Kamaole I to be the best for people-watching and bikini-ogling, whereasa Kamaole II was better for a quiet picnic on the beach (and would be excellent for families). Kamaole III was my fave for swimming, because the waves were the strongest. It also seems to be the one most favored by locals, which is always a good sign.

Here's a run-down of some of my favorite things to do in Kihei. If you're on Maui, don't miss it!

Thanks to Giselle27 for the photo of Kamaole II.

Happy 2008!!

I'm taking a brief "vacation" from my usual travel blogging to wish everyone in Snyder a Happy 2008!!

I had thought about traveling to Texas for the holidays, but my mother informed me I'd stayed there "long enough" on my last pass through. Yeesh! Even my own mother doesn't want me around!

Seriously, it was a mutual decision that I'd stay put this year; after all, I was in Snyder only weeks before the holidays. Consequently, I spent Christmas in San Francisco, which I must admit was very nice. It was a little odd though, because there are no climactic cues to remind one of the holiday season. For some reason, Santa just doesn't seem to belong amongst the palm trees on Market Street, but there he was.

Just before the New Year, I did something that simultaneously pleased and shocked my folks: I went to church! Yes, it's true -- this sinner went to repent at Glide Memorial Church, which in theory is Methodist. It felt more like a Southern Baptist ethic though, what with all the gospel choir music and "audience participation." Maybe that's because the minister, Cecil Williams, is from San Angelo Texas. I'm not kidding.

Cleansed of my sins, I availed myself of some of the fine shopping to be had in San Francisco, ate compulsively. After all, I needed something to base my New Year's resolutions on!

Hope all you folks in Snyder have a great 2008!