This visit to the Big Island was some bit of impulse on Stephen's part, I believe... one of "those deals he couldn't resist." Yet it turned out to accomplish getting us out of our rainy, very cold winter weather, giving us some great meals [atop many of our favorite... poke!] & opportunity to see & visit our numerous friends who live there... plus our friend John's new special friend/partner, Ben.
Ultimately... another great trip!
The deal was... a block of inexpensive nights at a Hilton Resort in exchange for a couple hours at the end being informed by a sales staff about the advantages of buying a membership in a time share plan. Notice our eyes rolling with sighs of bemusement... even as that amusement began five days before... this hotel had many parts which were rather Disney-esque. One story suggested one of designers was connected with Disney.
Such might introduce the amusement to which I allude in this post's title...
I didn't think humorously so much about being lassoed into a reservation at a Hilton... after all, Otto (Stephen's father) left a pile of Hilton Honor Points to Helen (Stephen's mother) -- plus other family members to whom she made gifts of them...we all traveled for several trips. Another of the blessings she shared!
This was a campus of various opportunities to play, from the bit of true beach into a series of coves, islands & smaller swimming & water play, like paddle boards & boats; numerous buildings for dining, events & conventions strung along the coastal property.
Of course, there was a golf course along the perimeter!
An unmanned train trundle-rumbled guests & luggage around, to & from the reception area & various registration desks... showing its age, as did much about this property. There was a meandering canal, originally connecting more distant parts of the resort by boat, but the guidance system for them became slippery enough with seaweed to keep them docked while we were there.
With the architectural infrastructure of arched bridges & walkways making a stage set, I could better imagine gondolas for such work... This place was trying to cover everyone's bases.
But, we enjoyed walking from our room, in the farthest "Ocean Tower" building, via the long gently curving corridor, covered but open to the air. It is a gallery housing the hotel's eclectic art collection. Many Asian objects & sculpture, some native Hawaiian pieces... with a sprinkling of European things loosely bridging these three cultural contexts for the Island.
All of which presented interest on several levels, intriguing one to dawdle at times or to pace more briskly when we were heading to the parking lot. We became quite familiar with its scope during our frequent passing... we enjoyet it inside many moods.
Hilton had been invited, before China opened, to come buy and make some precision copies of ancient work... the pieces we are seeing here. Some very impressive.
We joined in an chef's dinner with a particular vintner's offering wine. Kudos to that ending of our Hilton stay... Almost. More coming in a next post: [https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/19601980/1324984333291729424]
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