Two miles south of Kailua Pier, is a rather large outdoor market with lots on offer.
If you require coffee (Kona coffee of course, the best), birds-of-paradise, shell anythings, macadamia nut whatevers, hot pink hibuscus-themed luggage...well the Alii Gardens Marketplace is for you.
We strolled through and loved the pineapple (supersweet, out-of-this-world), the wood carvings, the friendly faces.
Iced coffees from the Bad Ass Coffee company were laden with toffee shots and mocha. (Best five bucks I've spent in awhile.)
If you don't want to spend anything on goods, you can buy massage, palm readings, lomi lomi massage and more. There are healers and wellness practitioners galore. (I had the hot healing stone massage with lomi lomi at our hotel, I highly recommend it for sucking the stress and tension out of the neck, back and shoulders. Complete your treatment with a blackend ahi sandwich with wasabi mayonaise and a fresh lime mojito, and you will be smiling from head to toe!)
I haven't forgotten the Dominican Republic. I'll post next time on that little Caribbean jewel, as there is much more I'd like for you to see. No wedding updates as of yet. I have a stack (and it's huge) of bridal magazines now...there is much to learn. One must be green and eco friendly, fashion forward in an organic way, one needs a non-traditional thinking photographer...I'll keep you posted!
Alii Gardens Marketplace;
75-6129 Alii Drive, Kailua Kona, HI 96740 | (North Kona District) | Tel. (808) 3341381
wonderful,
lucky YOU.
:-)
if only i could feel
~~the hot healing stone massage through~~
this computer!!!!
Posted by: somepinkflowerss | August 17, 2008 at 11:51 PM
The market looks fabulous! I will look at your pictures and dream of strolling down browsing through the vendors myself.
;)
It looks like a wonderful vacation! And your wedding plans so far sound so much like you already! I look forward to the results!
Posted by: angela marie | August 18, 2008 at 08:36 AM
Aloha Gill, love the market..Bad Ass coffee is yummie, sitting above Kona in their little coffee shop, watching cruise ships sail in and out at sunset.. :)
I brought the Blue aloha luggage, lol.. It's so easy to spot at the airport, Mr Dan has the matching one..
I'm glad you indulged in the Lomi-ness of Hawaii..it's truly paradise!!
AS for weddings, well, mine is still end of 2009, there is nothing out there for my *situation*, so I'm counting on you to be the perfect bride!!
peace, Kai xxx
Posted by: kai | August 18, 2008 at 08:37 AM
Oh I think that place would do me a world of good - especially that stone massage! Thanks for sharing the delightful photos. xoxox
Posted by: Paris Parfait | August 18, 2008 at 08:51 AM
Terrific images of one of my favorite spots. I've been lucky enough to have been to Hawaii 8 times. Every island. Not sure which is my favorite. I suppose whichever one I am currently on., though the flower farm b& b we stayed in on Kauii was spectacular.
Wish I could sit and pour over those bridal mags with you. What fun!
Posted by: karen Cole | August 18, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Would it be too much to ask for one of each? The message, the coffee, the lemonade...
: )
Posted by: Christina | August 18, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Looks like a great market. Lots to see and do and that massage sounds like heaven!
Posted by: Janet | August 18, 2008 at 11:23 AM
What a neat little place, I can't wait till it's my turn to go to Hawaii! Thanks for sharing :)
Posted by: Wayfaring Wanderer | August 18, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Yo ! THank you for this loverly traipse through the market! Coffee is my first love ..right up there next to chocolat! Kona rocks!
Posted by: pam aries | August 18, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Holà Gillian !
oh..this sounds truly PARADISIACO...yes I would love to try this stone massage !
we also have birds-of-paradise here on the coast. Love those flowers...
Have a great monday !
ps: i think you would like my monday post :-) (re cards)
Posted by: My Castle in Spain | August 18, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Thank you for sharing with us! Ohhh I just love coffee!!! I had to say that... Thanks again for sharing with us!
*HUGS*
Posted by: Angela | August 18, 2008 at 02:37 PM
The pineapple, leis, tiki carvings, and the hot pink luggage sound terrific along with the massage, but the blackened fish with the fixings almost did me in. Yum-O! as Racheal Ray would say!
Posted by: Mary T. | August 18, 2008 at 03:46 PM
It looks and sounds like heaven! I've been thinking about getting a hot stone massage. I've never had one, but will heed your advice and take the leap.
Do keep us posted on your wedding plans. How lucky are you to have the best photographer on the planet as your dear friend!! xoxo
Posted by: Epiphany | August 18, 2008 at 08:09 PM
It has been too long since I was visiting Hawaii. Those pineapples . . . I could smell them from here! ;-)
Posted by: Butch | August 18, 2008 at 10:49 PM
Hmmmm, I will have the pink themed luggage filled with macadamia nuts. Overnight delivery to Marrakech. Thank you!!!:)
Posted by: Maryam in Marrakech | August 19, 2008 at 08:11 AM
Engaged!! Congratulations...see what happens to me when I ignore the computer that calls to me daily...lots happens in the blogger world. I am truly enjoying all your photos and news from the world beyond Newmarket ha. I hope to pop into your spa while in Toronto for TIFF next month...or is that when the "Olsen re-do" is happening?
Posted by: Leslie | August 19, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Forget the Bad Ass coffee, these are some bad-ass photos, Blue! You know how to take them so they pop right out at you and make you feel like you're there. If only I could be in Hawaii. I have dreams of Hawaii and now you're making me want to make them a reality.
What I wouldn't give for a hot healing stone massage with lomi lomi (whatever that is). It sounds fabulous!!
I can't wait to hear more about your funky wedding! I'm dreaming of being there.
Posted by: Scarlet | August 19, 2008 at 10:55 AM
your banner is SOOOO AA-MM-AA-ZZ-II-NG.
and your pictures so very ... dreamy..boy, you are good..very good.
Posted by: anrosh | August 19, 2008 at 07:05 PM
Thank you for sharing these shots. Especially the ones of the lei's (did I spell that correctly). I've never been to Hawaii, so this is fun!
xox
Constance
Posted by: rochambeau | August 20, 2008 at 01:13 PM