Last updated on January 17th, 2016 at 03:34 pm
Posting will probably be a little slow this week while we are on the big island of Hawaii, but we will definitely have some exciting photos and stories to share when we make it back to a more stable power supply and Internet connection.
For now I just wanted to describe our current situation, since it’s not something you read about much on travel blogs. Usually it’s suite upgrades and amenities. Right now we are pretty far from that lifestyle.
The setting: in a Yurt high up on a mountain on the big island of Hawaii. Our vantage point looks over the southern most point of the United States. Between that vantage point and our yurt? Miles and miles of black lava rock.
It is so quiet here that often the only sound you can hear is dogs barking from miles away. When I flew my drone around the area, I could hear it from a mile away. Usually the sound fades away in the wind when you get 100-200 feet away. That is how quiet it is here.
Our accommodations are really interesting as well. First of all, the only power in the Yurt is solar power, and the simple act of plugging in a computer or charging batteries drains the entire power supply at a rapid pace. That means we can really only use the computers during daylight, when the sun is strongest. No charging phones or computers overnight on this trip.
That limits computer time to a very short window. During that time I am trying to get some work done, and keep this blog afloat as well.
But work has been tough given the Internet connection here. First, I have to say it is amazing that we have Internet in a Yurt. It’s great to be able to keep up to date while “glamping” on a mountain.
The problem is that the ability to upload pictures on this Internet connection takes a long time. For example, I spent 60 minutes uploading the photos on this post. Makes for tough blogging conditions.
The good news is that I have so much photo/video coverage from the past two days of exploring Volcanoes National Park and the Black Sand Beaches that we will be able to share for months into the future. I’m just not sure exactly when.
The other good news is that we still have several more days on the Big Island to explore.
Today we are going to go Scuba/Snorkeling with the Manta Rays. Later this week we will be hitting up a green sand beach and Mauna Kea, a mountain that extends above the cloud line.
These are all awesome activities that will fill our days. So blogging will be light/very picture heavy for a bit.
If you are dying for something to read, check out Amanda’s review of the Vintages Trailer Resort. I actually had the drone flying there and just yesterday discovered this overhead picture of the camper. This photo sums up our travels perfectly!
When you hit up the green sand beach, try stopping at Punalu’u Bake Shop. I thought the malasada’s there were way better than Tex Drive-In.
Appreciate the recommendation. You are the second one to tell me that, so must be good!!
Awesome trip! I’m probably gonna end up replicating it, though maybe use SPG flights and nights at Sheraton Kona Resort. Can’t wait to see the Manta rays, green sand beach, and Mauna Kea.
Definitely sounds like the Sheraton is the place to be for Manta Rays. The dive last night was fun, although the rays are unpredictable. Cool experience seeing them though!
awesome. This is what I call a trip report! At least you’re not just staying at the hotel 24/7.
Yes! For most of my trips, the hotel is just a place to sleep, not the feature itself. Then again, I do like staying in nice places from time to time!
can you post some video from your drone after the trip? thank you! good for you!
Definitely. Once I’m back in a place with solid Internet, I can post a video. Right now it’s tough to find time to edit video and upload on solar power :).