Rachaelle and Dina’s Cottage By the Sea was a terrific place to stay. Literally steps from the ocean (albeit across a large and fascinating lava field), it has everything you’d need to be quite comfortable on the isolated southeast shore of the Big Island. The sound of waves is ever-present, as is the chirping of coqui frogs at night (you’ll likely never see them, but you WILL hear them! [but it wasn’t really disruptive]). There’s a wonderful Saturday farmer’s market just down the road in Kalapana, and a gorgeous, secluded black sand beach about ten minutes up the road in the other direction. (Note: this beach is accessible via a somewhat tricky - for anyone mobility-challenged - descent from the road, and is clothing-optional; the surf can sometimes be quite high.) Pāhoa Town is ten miles north with some great shops and cafes, and Hilo only another twenty miles beyond that. So despite its relative isolation and quiet, you’re never too far from supplies and amenities. All in all, this is a lovely place to chill for a few days.