The Marriott Courtyard Kona is situated on a small bay with a sandy beach and a beginner’s snorkeling area. There’s also a freshwater pool for hotel guests. That’s where we spent the morning and afternoon.

First, after breakfast, a local scuba instructor gave us a lecture on the marine life we might encounter – a mind blowing list of native, endemic and invasive species found around the coral and rock formations of the Big Island. He also emphasized the importance of protecting coral, a living animal that’s quite sensitive to the mere touch of a flipper. Many sun tan lotions are harmful as well. Only those that use titanium or zinc are safe. We bought some here in Hawaii, thinking it would be safe. While it contains zinc, it also contains chemicals whose names are hard to pronounce and hence are bad for coral.

We snorkeled for an hour or more and did indeed see a number of fish varieties. Not much coral here, just lava rocks. I had my iPhone underwater case so you can see some examples in the pictures. Esme and her friends had fun taking pictures in the cove and in the pool.

Today was a preparation for the next two mornings, which will feature more snorkeling from a catamaran sailboat and then from zodiac boats.

The lu’au was a real production, stage for fewer than 1,000 guests but surely more than 500. Dinner was buffet style, set outdoors with multiple tables so feeding the multitudes was quite efficient. There was of course background music played and sung by a trio of two guitars and a ukulele, sort of reminiscent of Don Ho style of music.

The stage show started with traditional hula dance instruction for the guests, followed by a stage show of professional dancers, accompanied by the trio plus three percussionists and a MC. Dancing and culture of Polynesia was the focus. I’m not sure how “authentic” it all was, but who cares. The performance was really very good and entertaining.

Polynesia, by definition, is the area bounded by Hawaii, New Zealand and Easter Island. The commonality of culture across Polynesia was the focus. The show culminated with a fire dancer from Samoa that had to be seen to be believed.

Lots of time in the sun and a 7 AM report for duty to go snorkeling on a catamaran. Off to bed for all of us.