Tag Archives: beach

Hawaii – Kona Day 12

Posted on by
Reply

We spent this day on the east side of the Big Island, Hilo.

Started off the day driving through the two highways that cuts through the center of the island (190 and 200). Great scenic drive, where you can see the volcano mountain, and where the solidified lava stopped flowing, and the mountain where the Keck is on.

First stop when we approached Hilo was Rainbow Falls. This was an easy attraction (just needed to drive up to it). Unfortunately no rainbow as found at the falls 🙁

We then made our way to Akaka falls. There was a $5 fee per person at the entrance, but definitely worth it. The trail to the falls was a tropical rainforest. It was awesome to see so much biodiversity. It was like being in Animal Kingdom in Disney land, but it’s actually the real thing!

After the falls, we drove by the main part of town, and even saw the statue of the last King of Hawaii. We then drove along Kamehameha street (it was along the perimeter of water at Hilo and it’s actually the word used in Dragon Ball Z), leading up to the place where we had a late lunch near Carlsmith beach at a place called the ponds. Here is the info:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2020/11/28/ponds-hilo/

(On a side note, I definitely see how Kona is a more developed and richer part than Hilo. Also, Hilo’s older part of town is really run down).

After eating, quickly made our way to Carlsmith beaches we didn’t really get into, but the water looked pretty clean, with really no rocks or coral or waves. Would have been great to take a dip at this easy beach. Also, the greenery leading up to the beach was different.

We then headed over to the adjacent beach, Richardson. The greenery leading up to the beach was amazing. We also saw several (large) turtles, and the waves at the beach were pretty awesome.

After the beach, we quickly swung by University of Hawaii. It’s not that big, was looked like a typical University. To end the night, we quickly checked out the Keck (visitor’s center). Temperature was pretty chilly, but it was definitely noticeable you were closer to the stars. Hot chocolate plus looking through binoculars made a difference.

Hawaii – Kona Day 8

Posted on by
Reply

This day was a day of snorkeling.

Started off the day going to Costco to pick up some snorkeling gear. Decided to get the full face mask, but also had to buy the set with flippers.

We headed off to two-step beach at Captain cook, where I basically learned how to use the snorkeling face mask (key part is to make sure the face mask is tight enough using the straps at the back, and just breath with your nose normally. Admittedly it is difficult to breathe with it, and don’t really like to use it longer than 30 minutes), and got comfortable with the flippers. To finally get out there, as Dersu said “don’t think”. Another tip (but I think this is for the goggle type snorkels), to have no fog, you spit in your goggles (need to figure if this works for the full face mask).

The ocean floor had very few sea urchins. There were a good amount of fish. At the time I didn’t know this, but there were sea urchins between some holes in the rocks on the steps coming out of the water (although I had my flippers on, so my feet would have been ok regardless. I was using those holes with my hands though).

After two-step, we headed to Honokohau Harbor for our night time manta ray snorkeling adventure.

First time wearing a wet suite. Definitely see how it warms you up, and would consider buying one if I did more water sports (but would get between a small and a medium size).

To get to the snorkeling spot, we spent 30 minutes getting there. The boat ride was definitely bumpy. While we were there, we spent 45 minutes attached to this surfboard looking device, that shines light down the water to attract plankton, which attract the mantarays. I was fortunate enough to get a manta ray kiss (it’s bottom part touched my right hand). Gotta say it felt pretty rough lol.

The last 10 minutes I did start to feel light headed. Didn’t think I needed to throw up, but my stomach was also not super settled. Might have been a good idea not to drink a seltzer beforehand.

The ride back it started raining, but covering myself with a towel plus the wet suite helped.

We ended off the day having dinner at a ramen place, which you can catch the details here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2020/11/24/daichi-ramen/

Exploring Patong

Posted on by
Reply

After checking into our hotel, Cape Sienna, we ventured off into Patong. Patong (more specifically Bangka Road), is very much like old Vegas, but busier and with lady boy’s everywhere. 

We started off at Jungceylon (a very Western shopping complex), and then grabbed some sushi for dinner.

   
 
Then we headed into Bangla Road, where people were aggressively trying to get us to drink in their bars (sometimes almost to the point of grabbing your arm). We walked to the end of Bangla Road onto the beach, which then we headed back to Bangla Road and grabbed drinks at some bar called Pink. When we got drinks, one lady boy asked me to play a game of connect 4. If I win she buys me a drink, but if I win I buy her a drink. I obviously lost (she plays it every night). 

   
    
    
 

UPDATE: this is the view from our hotel:

  

Full Moon Party

Posted on by
Reply

We started off the night by going on a speed boat that took us from Ko Samui to Ko Phangan. Not gonna lie, the speed boat went pretty fast and was definitely not as safe as it could be (what people said online was accurate).

Arriving at Ko Phangan, we had to pay 100 baht to enter (but we did get these interesting bracelets in return):

  
After entering the gates, we quickly looked for some sort of string to tie our drink “buckets”. These buckets pretty much housed all our drinks for the entire night (Jack Daniels + Red Bull + Coke). The entire night, we bought 5 buckets in total, so Sam and drank a bit more than 2 buckets each.

  
  
We also got some glow in the dark tattoos to blend in…

   
 
The beach area was filled with venues where you could hear different types of house music (deep, minimal, progressive). Unfortunately no trance music.
   
    
   

  
  
We got to also play with the fire at the beach (this is obviously something I wouldn’t do sober).

   
 
And the last experience (no pics of this) is that for guys to take a piss, you literally just go in the ocean.

 To sum it up, the full moon part is simply a beach party where EDM music is played, you drink out of buckets to get really drunk, you get UV activated tattoos, and you eat a lot of junk food. With that said, I had an awesome time. 

We ended up going back from the party around 4:00am.