First Impressions of the Big Island

Since I arrived after dark, and woke up at 5am, I didn't even see the place until I have been here for hours and hours.  But the first thing you see is the airport, right?

On the first business trip I ever took, I was having dinner with my boss, Ron, and a vendor named Robert.  Ron and Robert had a deal whenever they travelled together - Ron's job was to find the best place to eat and Robert's expense account paid for it.  So we were having a nice meal and got to talking about how we judge cities.  Ron, of course, judges them by the food.  Robert judges them by the view from his hotel window.  I said that I judge them by the airport.  And really, that is still true.

Kona airport's terminal - as in the place where you sit and read a book and wait for your plane - is open air.  As in pretty much outdoors.  My mother neglected to mention this. 

Driving up from the airport on the dark, dark road, I had just convinced myself that there was no danger of hitting a deer when I saw a sign that said "Donkeys Crossing".  So I thought, "Did that sign just say donkeys crossing?"  When I saw another caution sign with a picture that looked like a donkey.

It is pretty in a less-beachy-more-organic sort of way, which I like.  The "organic" being volcanic rock.  This is outside my window:

And this is the ocean view of the "ocean view room":

Here are my vacation goals:

1. 
   
   Eat papaya every single day.  At every meal if it can be arranged.
2. 
   
   Do not check the work e-mail more than once a day.
3. 
   
   Don't spend too damn much money.

I am definitely going to head toward the volcano sometime this week, and will consider some whale-watching something.  But omg, the sun is finally up and now I am just going outside.