As it was, we got to Hilo on a really nice, bright sunny Friday. We did a little shopping at the Prince Kuhio Plaza for some back-up summer wear (and oddly enough, a big Making of FF Movie book and a PS link cable) and groceries. We had no trouble finding the remote resort in Punalu'u, 56 miles from the airport, and our suite was ready, complete with the fully equipped kitchen. After taking a few pictures from inside our suite (like this and this), we unloaded our stuff and went out for a short drive....

  We took our shoes off in the car and donned our slippers. Standing on the black pahoehoe, we enjoyed the cool wind (I wouldn't call it breeze!) coming in from the ocean. There was always wind. The waves crashing on the far cliff seemed to splash water up into the air as high as 80 feet. This place was only a few minutes *walk* from the resort, so it took all of 45 seconds to get there by car.

  There were a few sea turtles on the sand and on the rocks at the water's edge. We steered clear of them, minding the signs that were up -- although there were quite a few who were pretty ignorant of that and stood nearly on top of the creatures. >.<