[TBD]: Hawaii 2025 - Day 11+12 (Last day, Big Island, Travel home)

Well today is bitter sweet, lucky to spend the entire day in Hawaii, but sad to be going home. We got up at about 7:30am, to head for breakfast again at our hotel. This time AA had Kahula Pork Hash, and Lola the same thing.

We quickly ate and headed back to the room to get to the 9 hole golf course that was right next to our hotel. With the room they actually give you 2 complimentary passes and club rentals (but we had our own clubs).

Carrying our clubs we walked across the street and to the left to the very small club house. No carts, we were walking, Lola decided she should rent a carry cart as she wouldn't be able to carry her clubs for 9 holes, AA decided against it. She paid $3 for the hand cart. (and they didn't take cash so Lola used her credit card).

We headed out on the course, it was pretty good for free. Lola still ended up breaking a lot of tees and loosing a few golf balls. The greens were very difficult as they were pretty hard and lots of different kinds of grasses.

The course was very close to the airport, so we got to see a few Planes coming in which was pretty exciting. Lola got better as the round went on, and AA got a lot more sweatier. His shirt was drenched by the time we finished. It was a great way to spend our morning.

Back at the room, we got late check out so we could shower and finish packing before heading out to venture to the other side of the island.

Lola found another place to eat with Gluten Free options, but it was a little hippy for AA. The Booch Bar, was full of Kamboocha and greens...

Lola enjoyed her burger and red rice, and AA enjoyed his fish tacos. We were trying to figure out how to spend the rest of our day, so we decided to go to the Hilo Zoo that was just outside Hilo, and was free (by donation).

We arrived, put on sunscreen, and headed for the walk. It was actually called Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens and ran by the Department of Parks and Recreation.

It was sure warmer than we were expecting, and AA may have sweat through another shirt. They had a variety of birds, and some typical zoo animals such as Emu, monkeys, Lemon's and Tortoises.

Highlights include the Hawaiian Hawk, The Binturong (which they call Chandler Bing from Friends), the variety of frogs, the 2 bengal Tigers (one white and one orange) and the Giant Anteater.

After the zoo, we ate our apples in the car before heading to Rainbow falls that is pretty much right in Hilo. We walked on this portion of the viewing that had a new railing that we don't remember ever walking on before (but can't find any photo evidence). The falls are pretty and a short walk, so a good way to spend some time.

We headed to McDonalds for a bathroom break and some unsweet tea for our venture to the other side of the island.

This drive is always unique, climbing up in elevation, seeing the changing landscape and driving through the clouds. We even saw sheep and goats.

1.5 hours later, we got to Kona area, and had some time to kill before our reservation at Kona Brewing for Supper so we went to Costco to check it out. As Lola scanned her Costco card, the lady was like "excuse me miss, your Costco card is expired....", oh yeah at the end of the month... it is now March. We weren't really planning on buying anything so we walked around and looked at what we could get and then headed back to the car. Guess we will be paying for a renewal when we get back to Canada.

We went and got gas nearby, then headed to Kona Brewing. We were 30 minutes early, so we headed to a little chocolate shop that was near to browse and buy a few things.

While in the store we got a text our table was ready so we headed back and sat down. AA had a flight of beer and the pizza he had been waiting for (the captain), and Lola had the Seared Ahi and a side of rice. The food was good, and it was nice to eat outside one more time.

After supper we headed to the airport. Since the rental car place is a distance away, AA dropped Lola off with the luggage and took the rental car back.

As Lola was sitting on the bench, far from any action, all of a sudden a police man came and she noticed he was talking to a teenager and his mom. It was weird as the police man turned on his flash light and was kind of shinning it at Lola, but didn't say anything. Turns out he was waiting for the Fire men to arrive and was flagging them down with his phone flashlight. A little awkward, but couldn't move with the 2 suitcases and 2 golf bags, Lola sat there while the action went down. As the airfield fire department showed up, trying to help the kid, taking to him, taking his blood pressure and temperature, he started to throw up. Poor guy.... and I was stuck there. Lola texted AA, just to warn him that she was in this action and there were lots of police and flashing lights.

Thankfully AA walked over and helped Lola get out of the situation, and moments later the ambulance showed up for the teenager in distress. AA said it was a good thing she texted, as he would have been worried as he walked up there. It reminded me of what happened just before we had left, and was hoping nothing will happen to us.

We got our bags tagged, and headed through security. The gate was super busy, as there were 10 flight still leaving that evening.

Decided to put pants on.... AA stayed in his shorts till we got to Calgary.

We boarded the plane, and prepared for the overnight flight back to Canada. We had our drink and then made sure to try and sleep. We were pretty successful with getting just over 4 hours of sleep.

Our flight arrived about 1 hour before scheduled, so we had a 5 hour wait in Calgary before heading home. The weather here is very snowy and miserable, hope it is better at home.

We spent our time in the lounge which was nice, eating some food (2 times) and shutting our eyes, we didn't get a nice lounger to lye down, but moved to some comfy chairs to blog and wait.