First Walk on Beach

We arrived at the Kona, Hawaii Airport on July first around eleven in the morning despite our departure from Sacramento, California at 9:30 am this was due to the three hour time difference. I was happy to be there so early we immediately made our way to the dive shop at Big Island Divers we had so much to do before our first dive of the trip which was the next day at 8:30 in the morning. We turned in our new gear for them to take care of while we were there. That was such a relief not to have to worry about cleaning gear after every dive and taking 50 pounds or more each time we were going out for a dive. They took care of our BCD's regulators/computers and wetsuits. Thanks guys!!! We then got Austin outfitted in his dive gear that he would rent with each dive, Cara, or sitter we also had plans to take on a Discovery Scuba Dive or DSD, so she too was fitted in the necessary gear. Then Darby found her purple barney colored wetsuit (I think it's the only one they have that size) for the days she would accompany us on the boat and snorkel.

After we finished getting all our equipment set in place for all we came back to our condo, which was immaculate. It has three bedrooms and three bathrooms so there was plenty of room for all to enjoy the space and amenities the area afforded. The sandy beach was just outside our lanai which was on the ground floor so the kids enjoyed opening the wall of pocket doors that brought the outside in. Literally, we found a gecko later hiding behind a picture on the wall. 

These are pictures of us on the beach in Waikaloa and around the grounds of the complex which included tennis courts, swimming pool (why... I'm not sure... the ocean is my playground!) hot tub, hiking trails with wonderful foliage and scenery.
Putting our feet in the Pacific for the first time this trip! I don't think that we could ever NOT do this on our first day in Hawaii! We already spotted a honu (sea turtle) and boats and a beautiful sunset.... ahhhh paradise!
Here are the kids with Cara. They would be spending a lot of time together as Dennis and I were planning on diving everyday of our vacation and they were planned to come out with us only three of those times. There will be more to post on those occasions as I am frantically trying to catch up on all of our excitement!