This is the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, as seen from Anaehoomalu Bay on Hawaii’s Big Island. Anaehoomalu Bay, or A-Bay, as it is also known, is a shallow water bay lined by a beautiful palm-fringed beach. The bay is known for its excellent snorkeling as well as the plethora of sea turtles that can be found sun-bathing near the lava rocks.

A night at this Marriott will, at a minimum, set you back over $300. If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii, a more cost friendly option would be to check online classifieds in the US for rental homes, timeshares, and apartments. If you are traveling with a large group of friends and family, this is an especially cost-effective option.

In addition to lodging, food in Hawaii is also notoriously expensive. Instead of eating out for every meal, make a trip to the local supermarket and stock up on provisions. The best thing about Hawaii – the beaches – are free to the public, so you won’t spend a dime soaking up the sun for several hours a day (well, except on sunscreen, but you can pick up some decent-priced stuff at the nearest ABC Store). Snorkeling gear can be rented for less if you check the prices at stores in town instead of renting from stands on the beach. Doing just a few of the above things can drastically cut the price of your vacation to Hawaii.

Helicopter trip over the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii, one of the most active volcanoes on the planet. Taken during a December 2007 trip to the Big Island.

Sea turtles in Anaeho’omalu Bay on the Big Island of Hawaii. Yeah, these guys are livin’ the life. Photo taken during a December 2007 trip.

We took an early morning whale watching tour on our last full day in Hawaii. I was skeptical that we would actually see whales, but in reality there were over 20+ sightings while we were on the boat. It was pretty cool, and I would definitely recommend it if you are ever on the Big Island.

Our guide had a great sense of humor and was brimming with facts (which I can no longer remember) about the whales that were surfacing just yards away. She spoke with an accent, and when someone asked where she was from, she replied Budapest, Hungary (which, by the way, is completely landlocked).

The boat

Kohala Coast

OMG dude! Whales!

One breaching the water off in the distance

Tails

I really wanted to take an air tour of the Kīlauea volcano while we were vacationing on the Big Island, so we booked a flight with Sunshine Helicopters and drove across the island to the Hilo airport.

Our method of transportation. I’ve flown in a helicopter only once before, on a big, lumbering Russian Mi-8 that was more widely known for transporting Soviet soldiers throughout Afghanistan than for providing obnoxious American tourists with a background prop for our best Nixon impersonations.

It was raining when we took off, but this is Hawaii, so wait a few minutes and the weather will change.

Approaching Kīlauea

Lava flows. I was lucky enough to be assigned the seat right next to the pilot (granted, the photos still suck…taking photos while in a helicopter is not as easy as I had imagined).

More lava. We spent a few minutes hovering over the area, which smelled strongly of sulfur.

The lava fields stretch to the coast. Several small towns were destroyed by eruptions in 1990, and some residents rebuilt their homes there against the wishes of the Hawaiian government.

The coastline. 2km of prime real estate added, courtesy of the current eruption.

Waterfall spotted while returning to the airport.

Obligatory family photo in front of helicopter. In case of a crash landing on the volcano, the inflatable life vests we had to wear around our waists would not be of much help.

While on the Big Island of Hawaii, we stayed at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, which sits directly on Anaeho’omalu Bay. With the temperature a bone chilling 20 degrees here in DC, I thought I’d upload a few photos of last week’s trip to the Big Island to remind me of better times.

View from my room

Hotel

I’ll take a Mai Tai over eggnog anyday

Lava rock

Stumbled across some sea turtles

Dear haole tourist, please stop taking photos and leave me the eff alone so that I may suntan in peace. Mahalo.

Fish ponds

Lava fields on the Big Island. Upon arriving at the airport, I was convinced we had landed on Mars.

My favorite trees

Outrigger canoes

What can you do with an $8 ukulele?, originally uploaded by lfincher.

Not much, except drive everyone at home and the office absolutely crazy.

Hawaiian breakfast, originally uploaded by lfincher.

Loco Moco (white rice topped with a hamburger patty, eggs, and brown gravy), pineapple, and a pineapple daiquiri.

My new ride, originally uploaded by lfincher.

Flew over a volcano today. New career track: helicopter pilot. That’s just how I roll.

Meli Kalikimaka, originally uploaded by lfincher.

Just arrived. View from the room.

Merry Christmas, everyone.