Growing up, I wasn’t a huge fan of Kona.

I used to dread the drive from Hilo — yes, I never flew into Kona until I was in college — and when we got there, I didn’t know what to do. It was hot. It was desolate. It was so… touristy.

But when you venture beyond the resorts and Alii Drive, there are vibrant and interesting pockets of communities all over the island’s western coastline. And after years of visiting the coastal town, I’ve grown to really love it.

Maybe not enough to move there, but enough to visit several times a year.

This time, though, I wanted to see things and place I had never been to. That included Kaaloa’s Super Js, Standard Bakery, Punaluu Bake Shop and the new restaurant at the updated Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa.

So here’s what the first day of my quick jaunt to Kona looked like:

Rays on the Bay

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And while there were so many tough options for desserts — I was really leaning toward the warm chocolate cake — we were urged to try the buttermilk ice cream. So we ordered the trio of ice cream. Most people might be disappointed to learn the trio was actually a duo — we got one scoop of mac nut ice cream and two of the buttermilk — but the latter was so good, we didn't complain.