Five days in Hawaii.
Our original itinerary was to have Friday 14th Sept in Hilo, but due to a combination of dangerous air from the volcano and massive damage to the waterfront by the hurricane the week before, that or was dropped.
We started off with a two day overnight in Lahaina, Maui.
September 13 and 14.
Lahaina, Maui.
I just spent a lovely two days relaxing, wandering around and eating out with friends.
The water was the most amazing blue colour. I was the first tender process since they left Hawaii in May – and it went smoothly. Of course many people complained.
I wandered around – looked at a museum, watched wood carvers, and had nice time. The trees were amazing.
Pineapple and Pig. What could be more Hawaiian.
Hawaii is great with reducing plastics. No plastic bags and no plastic straws.
We had a guide dog on board. She was lovely and had a great time running around the park after five sea days. She had a bad time when the tender got back to the ship and it was rough. She was scared to jump onto the landing and leave her man behind. In the end they picked her up and put her on the ship. Poor girl was so upset to be on the ship with her charge still on the tender. It was only 60 seconds but really upset her.
Next day I went back and did more of the same.
More tropical drinks.
Just some guys walking through the carpark with their shotguns.
Finally got around to tasting the famous Dole Whip – a pineapple ice cream….Nerrrrrr. Nothing special
And a car who didn’t want anyone too near!
The surf break was about one kilometre off shore.
A water feature on deck 13.
September 15
Kailua Kona
I did a “hop on-hop off” bus today and saw many great sites.
A tiny church where John Wayne was married to Pilar were married under these two arched banyan trees in Hawaii. King Kamehameha was also said to be born on this property!
Some markets. Met a Gecko.
Prawn “Shrimp Trucks”.
And had my first experience of Ross – Shop for Less. A famous and amazing store selling many things but especially clothes. A bit insane! I bought a few shirts for Andy – much to his delight as he admitted to only packing one short sleeved shirt – bonus!
When I got back to the tender I went over to take some photos of dragon boats. Behind them was a lovely little beach! And it was hot – so most clothes off and in I went! Simmers would have been great…but clothes will do.
Then another great night.
BJ asked Minguel (the amazing barman) for a “whisky….make it a Blue”. Quick as a flash off he went then came back with a BLUE whisky. Food colouring. hahahahha
September 16
Kauai (Nawilliwilli Port).
I went on a bus trip to some of the main attractions.
Waterfall used in many movies.
Tunnel of trees of Eucalyptus.
Blowhole through lava tunes- Spouting Horn.
On a stunning coast line. One couple were having a discussion about what a perfect swimming spot this would be. All the Aussies gasped. They obviously haven’t spent much time at the coast.
You wouldn’t get me anywhere near there……
A number of huge turtles.
Concrete made with the red soil.
And then to Waimea Canyon AKA Grand Canyon of The Pacific. We flew over this a few years ago and it was amazing. Just as amazing from the ground.
A coffee plantation. Yuck!
I tasted this.
Thought it might be better than coffee.
And this.
And even this.
But they all tasted like watery black coffee….AKA Shit.
This was much better. But at least I tried to drink coffee!
Bantams everywhere. Like hundreds of them. Apparently they have bred up since many escaped in the big hurricane 20 years ago.
Then a pretty sail way.
Andy asked for some olives! He got them. Every night!
And that was the end of leg 3! Many people got off so more sad goodbyes.
September 17
Honolulu
We arrived to a few showers and overcast. But overcast and shower can certainly improve the look of an industrial area.
I was moving rooms for the final leg. From my lovely Ocean View room 4058. I was quite sad to be leaving. It was a great room. Loved it.
But my new room was a balcony, next to Andy. And what a balcony it was! Ginormous. Three times a normal balcony.
And then the giant rainbow turned into a double and drifted towards the ship.
I went into town today to do a few things. Car sticker I saw on the way.
I was chatting to Sarah About how good Hawaiian Poke (poke aye) is. It’s one of the main native foods – diced raw fish…usually tuna. Sarah had seen a show about a tiny lace called Ahi Assassin. So I headed off in search. It was way back in Honolulu – lucky for Uber!
It’s a tiny business owned by siblings. Their motto is “Caught here, not bought here”. They run their own Tuna boat and bring it straight to the shop!
It’s not a fancy restaurant and has almost a cult following.
I arrived to a dodgy looking part of town with an old building. Up a steep stairway and down a long ‘balcony’. I looked very much like a cheap hotel that you see in movies.
Then into a tiny shop. Long and thin. A small counter at the front, and preparation and cooking area. You bought the food as takeaway.
Not only were they famous for their Poke, but also for the “Bag of Bones”. They are a very ethical business and run at a minimal waste. So the off cuts of the fish are seasoned and cooked.
So I got my Poke and my Bag of Bones and off I went ……. To sit in the gutter an eat it. As I was searching for a gutter in the shade I noticed on shop as not yet open…and had a smokers chair out the front! Bonus. And it as in the shade! Super Bonus.
AND Oh My God …… Amazing.
I sat and munch on this glorious food. WOW. The tuna scraps are amazing. Such sweet and tender meat tucked in all around the fins n pine. What a genius idea. I need to learn to do this!
And while eating I watched the many people rock up to get food. Some sat in their cars and ate. Police grabbed theirs and headed off.
I then headed back to Waikiki to meet up with Emma and BJ for a final farewell.
Wonderful coconut cocktails.
Another shower and another great rainbow to set us off on leg 4 of this fantastic trip. And the meeting up with old friends!
Andy had a drink of water…and we all yelled and cheered. Which made him almost choke! Funny! Not the choking part.
We had a great Chops dinner for Scott’s Birthday!
NEXT PAGE – LEG 4 – TO FRENCH POLYNESIA