lundi 28 mars 2016

Tranquil Vacations In The District Of Kona HI

By Stephen Baker


The Hawaiian Archipelago in the Central Pacific was granted statehood in August 1959. Because of its location near the equator, it is a popular tourist destination. Those wishing to experience the islands while avoiding the crowds and other trappings of tourism would do well to visit the district of Kona, located on the west side of the big island of Hawaii.

Although you can comfortably drive the entire circumference of the island in about a day, there is still enough air traffic to sustain two airports. The one on the eastern side of the island is Hilo; on the western side, in Keahole, is the other. Here, passengers can arrive from/depart to the western seaboard of the continental United States, as well as destinations in Canada and Alaska.

The architecture of the airport befits that of a southern pacific resort, a series of open-air chalet-style buildings graced with palm trees. It could just as easily be a restaurant or night club. Despite its island charm, Keahole has all the standard passenger services that you would expect to find at any other passenger air terminal.

While there are bright lights, noise and crowds of people if you should choose to go looking for them, you can just as easily convince yourself that you are a local resident. Attractions include a popular shrimp restaurant on the coastline that is themed after one of America's favourite movies. Here, you can observe swimming humpback whales or body-surfing humans.

The island is just the right size for sight-seeing in that nothing is too far away. Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano standing nearly 14,000 feet above sea level. It is the highest peak in Hawaii. A million years old, it is actually taller than Mount Everest. The Mauna Kea Observatory is the largest facility of its kind in the world.

If you feel like an adventure and can summon the nerve, try parasailing. Basically, this involves you strapped into a parachute, a speed boat and a length of very, very strong rope. Many people allow themselves to dangle 800 above the crystal blue sea, while others signal a desire to go as high as 1,200 feet. If you don't mind your tummy tickling you to distraction, the views are tremendous and when the boat stops and you are allowed to free fall, it really is amazing.

Those who want the marine experience but aren't courageous enough or physically fit for parasailing can enjoy a boat tour. Discover dolphins, go diving, or go for a raft cruise. There is no shortage of seaborne adventures to be had on the island.

What makes staying in Kona great is its atmosphere of suburban independence. You have access to whatever you need in terms of food, shopping, and sight seeing but without the crowds and high prices. If you are lucky enough to find accommodation with your own balcony or patio, you can pretend that you really live there and have your own apartment. It makes you feel like you belong there.




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