cam, 267 words, 0 comments, Hawaii, Green Flash Coffee, Coffee, Kona Coffee, Photography

Our favourite coffee shop on the big island was the Green Flash. It had good coffee, good food and excellent service. The only places in Hawaii where we got good service was in the coffee houses; the restaurants and bars were atrocious. You were left dangling often for twenty minutes at a time.

To get to the Green Flash we would often run four miles down Ali'i Drive to the coffee shop from where we were staying and then grab coffee or a protein smoothie - or both. We got asked if we were here for the ironman contest as apparently the competitors start filing in around now for the race around the island. While I am in good shape for my age, sadly I am not that fit.

On the run back there were a couple of small big island style beaches with small sand spits and very, very mild waves. We would stop at one of the beaches about the two and a half mile mark and then go for swim in the surf for a while. It was a relaxing way to break up the run.

The local delicacy is Kona coffee grown on the hills in the south of the island. It goes for a premium. I am a daily coffee drinker but my palette was not good enough to pick up the differences in the taste between house coffee and Kona.

Anyway props to the Green Flash for being an excellent coffee house especially as most Hawaiian restaurants, bars and service is quite ordinary to the point of disappointment. (reply)

cam, 154 words, 0 comments, Hawaii, Big Island, Tourism, Photography

The big island of Hawaii is one of contrasts; whether it be climate, soil, lava, clouds, sunshine or coffee plantations. All the time the island ringed by the Pacific at its most beautiful and blue.

There is a downside to island life; jobs don't appear plentiful and seem to follow the rythym of tourism. Wealth is not obvious in the housing. The service industries, other than coffee shops, run on Hawaiian time. Which means you will be served when they get around to you. Not promptly.

The island is also young geologically so the East coast Australian and Southern Californian beaches only exist in one place; Hapuna Bay. However the island is largely peaceful swell wise and wonder ful for kayaking, snorkling, scuba diving and all manner of water pursuits. The coral reefs are easily accessible and give instant wonder as to the variety of marine life.

A lot of fun. (reply)