Big Island - Kohala

The west side of the Big Island is a popular destination for tourists. This is where Kona is located, world famous for its coffee. We stayed in the Kohala area, which is home to a number of nice resorts and 20 miles north of Kona. This area is extremely hot and dry, quite different from the rainier, cooler areas of Hilo, Puna, and Volcano.

As you approach Kohala, the highway goes through miles and miles of lava fields, as far as the eye can see. It feels kind of like the apocalypse has come, which is a strange feeling considering you're literally just a minute away from complete paradise. The Big Island is a land of many contrasts. We spent our last two nights on the island soaking up the sun and relaxing at our resort. It was a nice way to celebrate a not-so-nice birthday.

Panoramic shot of the resort:

Our room. One nice thing about being a Hawaii resident is that you get remarkable discounts on hotels.

We mourned my youth with a wonderful dinner and indulgent dessert: