Big Island-The Orchid, Better The Second Time Around

Sunset in front of the Orchid

It’s brutal taking an early morning flight with kids.  I feel so bad waking them up.  Our flight on Alaska Airlines to the Big Island left out of San Jose at 7:30am, which meant we were out the door around 6am.  The kids seemed OK being woken up but then on the flight we realized quickly they were missing their sleep.  Both were so cranky and the flight to Hawaii isn’t short…about 4 ½ to 5 hrs. 

What made the flight somewhat bearable was the crew and service of Alaska Airlines.  I had never flown them before.  I was impressed with how nice, friendly and helpful they were – from the moment you line up at the ticket counter, you are greeted with smiles…imagine!!

We arrive into Kona about 30 minutes early, around 9:40am Hawaii time.  The airport is small.  There aren’t any jetways…you walk onto the tarmac off the plane…you feel you are now truly away.  The landscape also helps to make you feel you have traveled far.  When you start driving, as far as the eye can see, you see old lava fields, brown and rocky.  Very barren looking compared to the other lush islands of Hawaii. 

I found a good package deal for the Fairmont Orchid through Costco (although I think you could have booked directly through the hotel for a comparable rate).  The Orchid was built as a Ritz, but changed management years later to the Starwood group, and in its latest reincarnation was now the Fairmont.  We had stayed at the Orchid before many years ago, prior to kids.  Neither my husband nor I remembered it being particularly memorable but this time with kids, we really liked it.

I remember not being impressed with the manmade beach on the property but this time around thought it was one of the highlights!  The girls loved the beach where we bought an activity card for $60 that allowed the kids to rent lots of fun water equipment.  The girls took out a large foam surfboard and practiced surfing.  I snorkeled around the mouth of the lagoon and immediately spotted a honu, a green sea turtle, which swam right underneath me!  That made my trip.  We pretty much spent the whole afternoon at the beach. 

Since the Bay Area was 3 hours ahead of Hawaii, by 5pm all of us were starving and opted for dinner at the Hale Kai restaurant right by the beach.  The food was pretty awful but the setting was wonderful.  As we were having dinner, my sister and her family who were already on the island joined us.  They had just returned from the Volcano National Park.  We watched as the sun set and the sea turtles rested on the rocky beach in front of the restaurant and knew we were indeed in paradise.

Friday, August 6, 2010