When we first arrived in Hawaii last week, it seemed that there was not much going on except this single mountain road that never seem to end. After a few times up and down the highway, our eyes were slowly getting used to the dense vegetation and started to notice things. There were plenty of things to do and places to go, the key was to spot that little sign and that narrow road leading you up to them. Everyday we drove on Mamalahoa highway, I always saw this little black dog playing in the front yard of this house. There were lush trees surrounding it, and the owner apparently love the little puppy very much. They built a dog house, and a doggy sized "porch" for him to chill with many food bowls laying around. Some times I caught him jumping around, other times he was just laying on his "porch"resting. It was the coolest thing I'd ever seen!

Whenever I got a chance, I talked to the locals. It seemed that most people who moved here bought themselves a one way ticket and never looked back. I can see why! If I were surrounded by lush trees and the ocean, I'd be a happier person too!  I'm savoring my last days here at the big island. At night I don't want to sleep because the time here is precious! When I get back home, it will be a while until I could enjoy the beautiful sunset and sound of ocean wave at night again!

If you are in the Kona area in Hawaii, it's definitely worth the effort to make it to super J's. You can't get a more mom and pop, hole on the wall restaurant than this. After exploring town for half a day, my husband and I were ready to get some lunch. 

Inside the restaurant, there were two plastic folding tables for diners and rows of family photos, and pretty much everything else here was set up for practical purpose only, which made it so much more curious why they had a shiny plasma tv in the dining area. They served one thing mainly, and they were called "laulaus." When my husband asked what was a "laulau," the lady in the picture smiled proudly and said we may watch tv for two minutes. She turned on the tv for us while we stepped away from the cash register to watch the video.  Apparently some tv crew did a short 2 minute episode about the restaurant featuring this lady and their food, and described laulau as a type of marinade pork wrapped in a inner layer of taro leaf and a outer layer of tea leaf, slow cooked for hours. It is one of the local foods here in Hawaii. 

We were charmed instantly and ordered two plates of food with coke. While we dived into our food, the lady chatted with us. She told us that back in the old days, whenever they were short on cash, they used to make laulaus and went from door to door selling them.  She inherited this restaurant from her father, whose dream was to open a restaurant on this spot. Unfortunately, he didn't live long enough to see it finished.  Today, the family lives where the restaurant is because they work here 20 hours a day. The laulaus must be prepared the night before and cooked slowly all night long. One bite, you will taste the slow cooked goodie in all its glory:) And the reason that they chose to make laulaus? "Because that's all people wanted!" They have been making one thing for the past twenty years, so I'm betting money that they are the town's laulau experts! 

We are still here in Hawaii enjoying our vacation.  It's been a lot of fun running around in Hawaiian print dresses and enjoying the nice weather. I love the pink dress in the second picture, it has white orchids printed on, how appropriate for being in Hawaii:)

Helicopter ride today... 

I did it!!!

Yesterday we saw whale from the patio of our house. Today I tried snorkel for the first time ever, the ocean was powerful and exciting at the same time, I did pretty good for someone who can't swim.  My hubby and I have been going to Don the Beach Comber for drinks, my hair was covered with cocktail umbrellas by the end of night! There was a bird coming up to the rocks right by us catching his dinner. For two evenings in a row we saw him swallow the fresh catch of the day in front of our eyes!

Yesterday we visited the botanical garden and cooked a delicious dinner at the house. I fell asleep on the patio, it was early morning when I woke up and the stars were very clear and bright. Now I remember why I always liked the ocean. Whenever it felt like life was trying to run me over instead of passing me by, I like to go to the ocean at night just to listen to the sound of the waves and let my imagination run wild. 

    

Our doggies were sent to boarding yesterday, and house keys given to a friend.

I was up at 3 am to water my orchids and finished packing my bags. The bedroom felt weird without my doggies sleeping on the window seats. I missed them already! At 5 am we left home for a trip.

 

The destination? Hawaii.

My husband and I are staying at a house on the ocean front for a few days. The beach is gorgeous and we've got a generous front patio to look at the ocean.

For no particular reason, I have always loved a walk on the beach in the evening. With it being so close by, I will be able to do it every night.

Tonight I'm going to fall asleep to the sound of the ocean wave.