Kona

Kona was a tender port and Akis managed to get off earlier in the day. As a result we walked the streets to get a feel for the small town and then attempted to flag a taxi to Turtle Beach. As experienced before, Taxis just don't seem to exist on the Big Island. We finally decided that we needed to ask where we could catch a cab and the store owner called a cab for us. We arrived at Turtle Beach and the look on Akis' face said it all ~ this did not look like a beach to the Greek. The sand was black, which makes sense from the lava and small, no chairs or umbrellas. Definitely a different feel than what we have experienced in Greece or the Caribbean.



This was all forgiven though as we took our first few steps over the lava rock into the beach to be greeted by the first of 2 Sea Turtles. We looked out to see the ocean was full of snorkellers. What did they know that we didn't? Well apparently a lot ~ one of Akis' co-workers was kind enough to loan him her snorkel and mask. This was the first time Akis had been snorkelling and seen fish like this. We splurged, each rented a mask and snorkel and took the underwater disposable camera and were off. I am a bit squeamish about swimming when there are things in the water. I guess what you don't know won't hurt you, cause I was fine swimming, that was until I realized just how MANY other things were swimming down there with me.



We headed back into town and had lunch and wandered the market ~ where the woman selling the necklaces told Akis that his shoulders were big and then his head swelled. Guess all of that time at the gym is starting to pay off for him.