Sunset at the Royal Kona

(Katherine) Robert and I got up early today to go with Natalie to Hookanu Beach, where she had been a week ago and saw dolphins. We were the first ones to arrive at the beach, but apparently we could have camped at a site just behind the beach (note for next time.) We snorkeled for about an hour & a half, and Robert saw a turtle. I chased after a Cornet Fish, which looks like a trumpet. I also saw Parrot Fish, which have freaky looking teeth. We went back to wake Kien, and then we all went to a beach just down the street from our apartment, the Kahaluu Beach Park (specifically, I think it was La'anua Beach, which I later learned the locals call “Magic Beach” due to the tide patterns.) Here we did some more snorkeling in super clear and warm water – so relaxing!


We showered up and were determined to make sunset at the Dan the Beachcombers at The Royal Kona, one of Kona's oldest resorts. We could not have asked for a better view – we literally had an unobstructed view of the entire sunset while sipping on Mai Tais. It was definitely a “mental picture” moment that I will have to reference later in life while I'm sitting in my cubical.

Later that night, Kien took us to The Mask Bar, which describes itself as “Kona's Friendliest and only Neighborhood Gay Bar.” We met up with Tina's (Hilo homeowner) friend Mike, who lives on the island. We also met a super cool bartender named Iliana, who is incredibly funny and brash – she had us in stitches. She introduced us to some of the locals, who were really sweet guys from Kona. I of course had to sing a couple of songs, while Robert played darts with some of our new friends. The placed reminded me a lot of my old Silver Clouds karaoke bar from San Francisco – ahhh, memories!