Excitement is building for our “Friends of New Kent Winery” 2018 Group trip to tour the Bordeaux wine region aboard the AmaDolce. Joe and JoAnna Dombroski, owners of the New Kent Winery, will be joining us as co-hosts. Over the weekend we booked 2 more staterooms, bring our total to 13. With only 7 staterooms available, please call us today to reserve your space on what will be an amazing trip with a unique insider’s look into the secrets of Bordeaux winemaking.

Near sunset on Hawai’i near our hotel down at sea level we were treated to a rare glance up at the Mauna Kea Observatories as the sun lit them on the volcano’s summit.

Up at 13,700 feet, researchers work on the campus of 12 telescopes and sensor arrays watching the heavens for clues to the universe. Two days ago the summit faced blizzard conditions as over 10 inches of snow and 65 mph winds enveloped the summit. Earlier this week we spent fascinating time at the “welcome center” up at 9,200 feet. It is an easy drive from the Kona coast but watch those 17 degree inclines!

The dramatic view of Waimanu Bay and the Waipi’o Valley on the Hawai’i north coast.

You can explore the valley and black sand beaches by ATV or 4x4 safari or on horseback

Volcanoes and black sand beaches

Spent part of the day exploring the Hawai’i Volcano National Park. Steam vents, lava fields and craters galore, including the active Kilauea caldera.

On the way back to the condo we discovered a few black sand beaches where the lava had been ground by the waves into dust.

Thank you, Wendi!

Our sincere thanks to Wendi Vasconcellos, Resort Sales Manager for the Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa.

Wendi graciously spent almost two hours with us today as she gave us a thorough professional tour of the hotel and various room categories. She certainly made us feel very welcome.

We were extremely impressed with the quality throughout this stunning Resort which emphasized Hawaiian culture and lore. The rooms were equipped with every amenity , including a baby “pack n play” set, and perfectly designed for families. The Resort has its own beach and lagoon and creative water parks, all perfect for kids and adults. As a bonus, there are no extra resort fees.