Aloha!

Hawaii - some R&R for a change, but a bit of research for articles as well. Flew directly from DEN to Kona on Big Island, about 7.5 hours flight time and arrived on Monday afternoon. UA-flight was smooth, on time and we even got an upgrade to Premium Plus and two meals. 

Car rental procedure at AVIS at Kona Airport was rather annoying: First, slow service and long lines at the counter, then waiting for delivery of the car, a GMC Terrain (SUV), larger (and more run down) than expected. Signal light said "low tire pressure", so  had to fetch a mechanic first to get tires pumped up. All happening at about 90 deg F and very high humidity! It took a lot of time, and, we only arrived at our little house (AirBnB) north of Kona (photos below) at 5 pm. Drove grocery shopping to a Safeway - fresh papayas! - and called it a day on the patio, with a partial ocean view and noisy Coqui frogs.

Next day: the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park not far from the airport, an old Hawaiian village on the beach, where Green Sea Turtles are under protection now. Drove the scenic highway afterwards, in the backcountry, to check out some coffee plantations, but majority was closed for the public (COVID/staff-related, I guess). 

Explored the city of Kailua-Kona then - pretty touristy and swamped with cruiseship passengers - King's Palace closed as well. In the late afternoon we ended up at Kona Brewing for Happy hour with pineapple/BBQ-pork/goatcheese pizza.

Love the flora and fauna on Hawaii - and, we had plenty around our little house - so unique!