Day 11 A Move Downtown and Dinner at 7

By the time we got home Saturday night, it was already Sunday morning, about 1:30 am to be exact.  We were all bone-tired with aching feet and sore backs.  We dropped into bed and passed out.  But, a nice sleep-in was not to be had.  We needed to pack our belongings and get out of Dodge by 10 am.  Our condo in Paniolo Greens, up in the foothills of Waikoloa area, was a Sunday to Sunday rental.  It was nice place and we had a long range view of the ocean, off the second floor deck, if you craned your neck just right.  Our new condo is located past downtown Kona about 2 miles.  We packed everything into the car....barely.  I think we've gained some extras and may have to buy new bag to check in on the flight home.  Funny how little treasures like broken coral, rocks, interesting coconut shell fragments,  weird seed pods, tropical pine needles that resemble some intricate macrame weave, shells, souvenirs, and all the free stuff we've acquired from the expo has seemed to pile up. 

A shell, a rock, a pine needle, some coconut shell, and coral

 Thankfully, Paul is used to me because no matter where we go, I have to trudge home rocks and other such treasures.  Hey at least they are free, except for the time I was smuggling small, flat,  bluish-black  stones, tumbled smooth by the surf, from a beach in Seattle and almost got busted by the TSA...there could have been a fine involved, phew!  Now we know where Lily gets her proclivity for smuggling.  Then there was the most beautifully weathered 2x4 I found a few years back, in Hilton Head, SC, and had to bring  home.  It looked like a sculpted art object and I have plans for it....someday.  However, here in Hawaii, I know I have  limits...my finds must fit in a suitcase, no car top carrier on this trip, c'est la vie.  The kids are as bad as me, and poor John has had to turn loose 2 hermit crabs, a couple bugs,  and a gecko for obvious reasons. I've already explained that the any sea turtles he befriends cannot come home with us, so he shouldn't get too attached or even think of asking.  At least my stuff is inanimate.  Anyway, our new condo is awesome! It doesn't look like much from the front, maybe the side of an ocean liner cruise ship, a behemoth, white wall with small windows, a door every 20 feet or so and a series of half wall railings.  But on the back side, the building is  U shaped with modular decks stepping down toward the ocean, like decks on a ship, each providing a little private patio that takes advantage of the great views.

Decks with a view

The pool is in the center of a courtyard, right about 15 feet from the ocean.    This condo is situated on a beautiful span of primo real estate, with a western view....gonna be a great place to watch a sunset. I can hear the surf pounding  the coast, in its hypnotizing lullaby, as I sit writing this blog.  The kids are excited because the pool is about 50 yards from our patio door.  We sure got lucky on this one!  As we were getting situated, we were greeted by a welcoming committee...two little songbirds hopped right into the living room through the patio door (they must know John is staying here).  The kids then swam while Paul and I sat out at the seawall and enjoyed our ocean vista, before getting ready to go to the Ironman Awards Banquet. 

Pool with a view

Soaring above the surf

The banquet was outdoor and there were several thousand people there.  It was buffet style and the food was located in a tent, which looked like a beehive swarming with bees.  Long tables were set up, row after row, where people could dine.  The food was pretty good:  chicken, teriyaki beef, lasagna, a curried couscous, pasta salad, rolls, corn, and Caesar salad.   There was pre-award show which included a  parade of flags representing each athlete's country and traditional Hawaiian hula and fire-eater dances.  The awards were presented to the top five male and female age groupers, who were brought on stage to receive their them.  Prizes included a beautifully carved traditional Hawaiian wooden bowl called a umeke, a Timex watch, a red polo, and the first place winners received a cycling jersey.   The pro top ten male and female winners were presented with the same bowl and a laurel and floral garland that was placed around their neck (alot bigger than a lei and worn like a scarf).  The top 3 received monetary gifts, $40k for 3rd, $60k for 2nd, and $120k for first and laurel wreaths placed on their heads.  First place was also presented with a cycling jersey.  Pete Jacobs (Australia) and Leanda Cave (Great Britain), 1st place winners, each gave a speech, that provided a glimpse into their personalities.  It was refreshing to find out that they are humble, gracious, and thoughtful good sports.  A video montage of race day was presented to finish off the evening...a nice way to end the weekend. 

The golden ticket

Aloha!

Food tent

Dinner and a show (glimpse of the sunset to the right of trees)

Tomorrow we have one final Ironman event, a Mahalo (thank you) dinner for those who volunteered at the race.  More free food, can't beat that!  I think we may be heading north to Hawi as well.