First and foremost, Dr. Tarek is an amazing host. From day one, he was extremely communicative and readily available to help in any way possible. He offered extremely helpful tips and advice during the planning stages of our trip and prior to our arrival at his home. Since we are vegetarian and were scheduled to arrive later in the evening, he was kind enough to purchase some initial staple groceries for us (milk, fruits, etc.) beforehand. Once we arrived, he was there to greet us and show us around the place. He was available to us each day (both via text and in person), and continued to answer questions and provide us with guidance. He also checked in with us via text to see if we needed anything and to provide local recommendations. He is truly a gem of a person.
His home is absolutely amazing! Located on a quiet, secluded, wooded property, his place is a wonderfully serene haven. The interior was immaculate, and fully equipped with all the comforts and amenities of an upscale resort. Each room was tastefully decorated and well-stocked with more than ample supplies - from towels to pillows to blankets. The exterior was just as amazing, with beautiful patio seating and a lovely pond. While I was initially reluctant to stay for three nights on the Hilo side of the island, I realized that the days flew by so quickly. We were so busy visiting Volcanoes National Park and hiking to see the lava flows that we didn't have a chance to enjoy Dr. Tarek's place to the fullest, a destination in and of itself! But, we will most definitely be back as soon as we possibly can.