20th day - day 20 (for English scroll down)

Today we had the Rimini feeling. Originally we wanted to go up Mount Maunakea at 4205 meters above sea level. Apparently the stargazing is optimal there, the air is clear, dry, and there are hardly any disturbing light sources, but there are plenty of observatories and an astronaut training camp! Hiking wasn't an option for Lenchen. There are guided tours that take you all the way up with SUVs. It takes about 8 hours to drive up and about 1 hour to watch the sunrise or sunset in a down jacket, hat, and gloves. Shaker-feeling included, star spotting optional depending on the clouds. Not very enticing either. Alternatively, you can also drive to the visitor center halfway up with your own car. Apparently, there is a great astronomy center there. We would have loved to visit it. Unfortunately, the stars, galaxies, and the visitor center are closed on Mondays....Bummer. OK, the alternative program was a beach day, much to Zoe's joy. But first, we went to admire some totem poles at Honaunau-Napoopoo (these names though...). The bottom line is, even the Hawaiian men had eye problems and greatly overestimated some body parts 😉 After that, we went to Kaloko-Honokohau (what can I say...), a white beach. Beautifully situated with a few palm trees, few people, and far too many turtles - truly perfect. The Rimini feeling arose because we had to keep 20 feet away from the turtles. But there were so many turtles and not much beach, that we had to squeeze together to fit everyone! At some point, our stomachs growled and since the Lava Lava Beach Restaurant was not far away, we became repeat offenders and enjoyed another fantastic evening on the beach in the front row, watching the sun set and imagining how it is rising slightly reddish over there with you. Oh, how beautiful it was!

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Today we had the Rimini feeling. Originally we wanted to go up Mount Maunakea at 4205 meters above sea level. Apparently the stargazing is optimal there, the air is clear, dry, and there are hardly any disturbing light sources, but there are plenty of observatories and an astronaut training camp! Hiking wasn't an option for me (surprise, surprise). There are guided tours that take you all the way up with a SUV. It takes about 8 hours to drive up to watch one hour of sunset or sunrise in a down jacket, hat, and gloves. Shaker-feeling included, star spotting optional depending on the clouds. Not really appealing either. Alternatively, you can drive with your own car to the visitor center halfway up. Apparently, there is a very cool astronomy center there. We would have loved to visit it. Unfortunately, the stars, galaxies, and the visitor center are closed on Mondays....Bummer. OK, the alternative program was a beach day - much to Zoe's joy. First, we went to see some totem poles at Honaunau-Napoopoo (these names are doing my head in...). Bottom line: even the Hawaiian men had eye problems and greatly overestimated some body parts 😉 After that, we went to Kaloko-Honokohau (what can I say....), a white beach. Beautifully situated with a few palm trees, few people, and far too many turtles - perfect! The Rimini feeling arose because we had to keep 20 feet away from the turtles. But there were so many turtles and not much beach, that we barely fit! At some point, our stomachs growled and since the Lava Lava Beach Restaurant was not far away, we became repeat offenders and enjoyed another amazing evening on the beach in the front row, watching the sun set and imagining how it is rising slightly reddish over there with you. Wow, it was so beautiful!