At Home in the Jungle
Submitted: January 20, 2013
Stayed: October 2012
Our stay here was delightful!! . We fell in love with the place on the VRBO web site and we were not disappointed. We arrived at night and the care taker had left on a few soft lights and the stereo was playing traditional Hawaiian music---a wonderful welcome. We found the house very homey, very clean, with a well equipped kitchen, comfortable beds, good sized bathrooms and well stocked with supplies. The house is older, in very good condition, with a great floor plan, and totally charming and restful. Interaction with the owner, Elyse, was great. She provides a notebook of local attractions for guests to review as well as a subtle Hawaiian themed decor. The huge screened lanai is a real joy for just relaxing, dining at a large table, and keeping an eye and an ear on the natural world that's so close. The kitchen, dining area, living room and screened lanai make a very good-sized common area with excellent air flow. You are in lush vegetation---and still in the middle of a quiet, friendly neighborhood that seems very secure---flowers and palms and birds everywhere. The Coqui Frogs are wonderful to fall asleep to. Geckos keep a quiet patrol in the house ( that's good luck, you know). They're beautiful, like little jewels. And then there's the tidepools: Just a very short walk from the house to great snorkeling, beautiful fish and corals, swimming or just enjoying the view. We definitely would stay here again. As for other nearby places to see and enjoy: Pahoa, Lava Tree State Park, Hilo (very different from Kona) including Coconut Island where we watched sea turtles swim right below us as we walked across the bridge to the island, Suisan Seafood Market on Lihiwai St., Rainbow Falls and suburban Hilo, Onomea Bay and the Hawaiian Tropical Botanical Gardens (wear good walking shoes and bring your camera!), fruit smoothies and more at What's Shakin' after seeing the gardens. And, of course, do not miss the Nat'l Volcanic Park! The Saddle Road, Hwy 200, passes between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea and is just fine for regular vehicles nowadays.
Recommended for:
Age 55+,
Adventure Seekers,
Girls Getaway,
Sightseeing,
Families with Teenagers,
Families with Young Children,
Romantic Getaway
Helpful votes: 1/1
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