![]() ![]() Don’t ask the locals where the petroglyphs are because the ones we talked with, who worked right next door, had no idea what we were talking about. ![]() We parked at the Shell Gas station (the closest parking lot) and walked from there to the petroglyphs. Waikōloa Petroglyph Reserve is 25 miles north of the Kona airport. They have a four-step process to make the ice cream that you want. But you do sit outside, and the ice cream was good. Sweet Journey Soft Serve – Located near the back of a courtyard.Their ice cream cooler was broken, sad face, but we got blended coffees that worked. Kona Heaven Coffee (cafe) – You can sit outside with great views.There are also several other shops and restaurants in the same building. Oceanfront Coffee & Ice Cream Café – There is paid parking below the building.We tried out three different places for coffee and ice cream-two of them had terrific views one was in a courtyard. ![]() Oceanfront Coffee & Ice Cream Café Ice Cream and Coffee Parking is an issue, but keep looking or go to another one that is easier for you. We found the one we went to near Kailua Pier had a good selection of items, and the prices didn’t seem outrageous. There are several ABC stores in the area. We learned some things about the fish that live there, and overall it was okay. But on the way back in, we did go by some rock formations that looked like small waterfalls. If you too suffer from motion sickness, I can’t recommend going. One disappointment was we never left Kailua Bay, which is probably okay, but I felt like we didn’t “go” anywhere. My husband enjoyed the tour, me not so much. Well, we were only 10 minutes away from the pier and was already feeling sick! Ugh. One problem, I get motion sick, so I bought new meds, used the wrist bands that are supposed to help, and the tour company gave me some ginger candy. Not a scuba diver? Want to explore the coral reef? Take a glass-bottom boat tour. In addition, there are places to watch sunsets and to wander along the beautiful water. It has many small shops to explore, places to get coffee and ice cream, and many places to get something to eat. This is the main street that winds along the waterfront through Kailua-Kona. Amazing location I would have liked to live there too. It is mainly something to see from a distance. So many people park at the hotel, it is paid parking but close to where you wanted to go. Parking is an issue since the parking on the pier was closed when we were there. This was the home of Kamehameha I, the first ruler of the Kingdom of Hawaii it is near the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. This was my favorite beach to watch sunsets. When we went, we would bring chairs so we could stay longer and enjoy the ambiance. And in the early evening, waiting for the sunset, you will hear dozens and dozens of birds in the trees. (Be sure to check a map before going, there are no signs.)You may also see some marmots running around while walking from the parking lot and the beach. This beach at one time was a clothing-optional beach because it is secluded, but it is no longer, and many people enjoy the white sand, turtles, snorkeling, and sunsets! We would park at the Honokohau Marina near the Kona Sailing Club and walk to the beach. So go sample some coffee and walk through the clouds. This was a great way to start our time on the Big Island, plus now Tom had Kona coffee to make each morning. You can sample coffee, see their coffee-making process, and then, of course, buy some real Kona coffee from the source. They also have a nature walk that includes seeing volcano tubes – very cool. This plantation is located up the mountain, up in the clouds, so the area is very lush with vegetation. I knew Tom would want to try the coffee, and being on the dry side (Kona side), I wanted to show him there was more to Kona. Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation was our first destination. Nature Trail entrance at Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation Here are some of the many places we went to when we were there. Kona is often called the dry side, but being on the west side of the island, it has the best sunsets! But when most people talk about Kona, they usually mean the Big Island. Even the area where Honolulu is on the island of Oahu is called Kona. There are several Kona’s on several islands, so now you will hear it called Kailua-Kona. Partially because of the US Post Office, I was told. Now, Hilo is not as famous, and the Kona side is where the big hotels and tourist attractions are. At one time, Hilo was more popular, and a lot of sugar cane was grown nearby. When talking about the Big Island, I found that most people will say either the Hilo side or the Kona side.
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