Most people think of the Big Island of Hawaii divided into two regions identified by their largest cities: the rainy side referred to as Hilo and the sunny side known as Kona. Downtown Kona is a funky port town with the main street, Alii Drive, lined by restaurants, shops and bars, with a feel similar to Lahaina on Maui. Cruise ships tender passengers right into downtown, making Kona an easy town to explore for those who don't want to take an excursion. Hotels near downtown cater to tourists whose ideal vacation centers on shopping and dining.
My wife, on the other hand, goes to Hawaii almost exclusively for beaches and snorkeling, so on our recent land vacation there, I barely convinced her to visit the town for dinner once, on our last evening on the island. On cruises we feast on delectable, well-balanced meals, but on a land vacation we seem to eat a lot of sandwiches, hamburgers and chips, and this trip was no exception. By the last evening, we were ready for some vegetables, and we decided on Thai food.
There were lots of great restaurants from which to choose, from international chains like the Hard Rock Cafe to Hawaiian icons like Don the Beachcomber to many delightful eateries with names I didn't recognize. Are you ready for the taste of exotic locales? Call me toll free at 866-554-5553 to start planning your next great vacation.
My wife, on the other hand, goes to Hawaii almost exclusively for beaches and snorkeling, so on our recent land vacation there, I barely convinced her to visit the town for dinner once, on our last evening on the island. On cruises we feast on delectable, well-balanced meals, but on a land vacation we seem to eat a lot of sandwiches, hamburgers and chips, and this trip was no exception. By the last evening, we were ready for some vegetables, and we decided on Thai food. Kona Taeng-On is an authentic feeling Thai restaurant on the second floor overlooking Alii Drive. The canopy overhangs on the open sided 
restaurant have seen better days, and I doubt anyone would call this joint fancy, but it's clean and seems like what a Thai restaurant should be, with pictures of revered elders on the walls, a tropical flower motif and other Asian touches. From the badly faded photos of food around the doorway to the stairs, I selected the House Special (Number 62), which is rice stir fried with chicken, shrimp, carrots, raisins and pineapple, all baked in a hollowed out pineapple. Although the menu offered a wide selection, I stuck with what turned out to be a dish as delicious as it sounded.
restaurant have seen better days, and I doubt anyone would call this joint fancy, but it's clean and seems like what a Thai restaurant should be, with pictures of revered elders on the walls, a tropical flower motif and other Asian touches. From the badly faded photos of food around the doorway to the stairs, I selected the House Special (Number 62), which is rice stir fried with chicken, shrimp, carrots, raisins and pineapple, all baked in a hollowed out pineapple. Although the menu offered a wide selection, I stuck with what turned out to be a dish as delicious as it sounded. 
There were lots of great restaurants from which to choose, from international chains like the Hard Rock Cafe to Hawaiian icons like Don the Beachcomber to many delightful eateries with names I didn't recognize. Are you ready for the taste of exotic locales? Call me toll free at 866-554-5553 to start planning your next great vacation.
