Aloha. . . Mahalo!

Land Ho!!!

After 5 1/2 days at sea and travelling 2,050 nautical miles from Los Angeles, we arrived at Kauai, the oldest of the Hawaiian Islands also called the Garden Island due to its lush green valleys and pristine rainforests.  The striking island of Kauai also features towering ocean cliffs and cascading waterfalls.

We arrived at the port of Nawiliwili on Kauai in a morning mist and mostly cloudy sky. The temperature was a pleasant 70 degrees headed up to 80 with welcomed sunshine.

We got a cab and interacted with the driver, a lanky transplant from Baltimore, who recited a litany of the benefits of living on this lovely island. He left us at Kauai Kayak, where we planned a day of kayaking and hiking.

Our young, affable guide Dustin oriented us about the day planned, which included 4 ½ miles of kayaking on the beautiful Wailea, the only navigable river in all of Hawaii. This was to be followed by a 1 ½ hour hike to the Secret Falls which features many streams to cross and plenty of ankle-deep mud to keep it interesting.

It promised to be an easy 2 mile plus paddle to the hiking trail, but some of the group of 10 were wind-milling their blades apparently believing there was prize money at the end of the day.

 

The trail to the Secret Waterfall was winding and strewn with obstacles including fallen trees, gargantuan tree roots, swift river crossings and an unbelievable amount of thick, sticky mud, which robbed many of their footwear.

I encouraged Robin to soldier on, though mud baths are not her thing. After what seem liked days, we arrived at the waterfall in an hour and a half and enjoyed a prepared lunch on a moss covered rock. Lovely!

I was not aware that running through mud was a skill that I possessed, but we were in a hurry to get back to the kayak and leave the risk of broken bones and world of mud behind. After over an hour of paddling and just ten minutes before we arrived at the marina, a heavy rain squall ensured that we had less mud to wash off of our bodies.

After changing into dry clothers, guide Dustin was kind enough to give us a ride to Duke’s Canoe Club at the Nawiliwili Harbor. Here we met up with a high school classmate who lives and works in Kauai. It was great to see Max Trapp and catch up on the fifty years that passed since we last met. Thanks for your hospitality, Max!

OAHU

On day 8, we docked at Pier 2 in Honolulu on Oahu under sunny skies and 78 degree temps. We were pleasantly surprised with the wonderful weather, since our last visit here in 2017 was a bit gloomy.

We disembarked and were transported to the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Wakiki to board a launch, which under the shadow of Diamond Head, transferred us to the Atlantis Submarine. The vessel accommodates 40 passengers for an undersea odyssey to 120 feet below the ocean’s surface.

Now this is Robin’s kind of diving! We did managed to see a few wrecks, turtles, eagle rays, white tip sharks and free swimming green moray eels along with the usual Jacks, assorted colorful Butterflies, Surgeon fish, Filefish, Sergeant Majors, Rainbow Parrotfish and Moorish Idols.

 After a leisurely stroll through hotel gardens ,we enjoyed a cocktail and a delicious  lunch at Tropics Bar and Grill on Waikiki on a perfect warm, sunny day with a light breeze.

Looking down at our feet, there we vestiges of recalcitrant Wailea mud from our hike yeasterday, which begged for removal. Siri helped us find a nearby nail salon where we enjoyed a pedicure at Luxure Nail Salon on Ala Moana Blvd. With a spring in our step, Uber ferried us back to Pier 2, me with exfoliated lower extremities and Robin sporting sparkling gel nail polish!

 

HAWAII

Day 9 found us on the Island of Hawaii also known as The Big Island, Orchid Isle and Volcano Island . We docked at Hilo on the SE coast and joined a “Volcanoes and Blossoms”  tour on a comfortable mini bus.

The weather at Kilauea Visitor’s center was chilly and breezy so we took advantage of the self-guided tour within the center, followed by an entertaining lecture by the most gregarious tour guide in the National Park Service. He described the nature and power of volcanic activity on the island including the much publicized eruption of Kilauea just last year. Many parts of the park remained closed due to the event.

We then travelled just a few minutes away to the Steam vents emanating from the Kilauea Caldera. Robin took the opportunity to let mother nature warm her up a bit in the 100 plus degree heat of the steam vents.

It is difficult to capture the vast nature of the Caldera. . .  it’s truly an amazing sight!

From there we travelled to the Akatsuka Gardens and Orchid Farm. . .magnificent! After brathing in the Sulphur Dioxide of the volcanic steam vents, we could have spent much more time here with the lovely fragrance and beauty of these orchards.

 

The star of the the Orchid Show, with its perfect symmetry and horizontal side petals, is the prize winning Volcano Queen orchid  which displays a $20,000 price tag!

Lastly, no trip to Hawaii would be complete without a visit to the Mauna Loa Factory store. Hawaii is the world’s largest producer of Macademia nuts. As you can tell by my increased  girth, a decision was made to avoid the purchase of any of the islands signature crop.

Well, it’s back to the ship to continue our journey south to French Polynesia. The nearly 2,000 nautical mile trip will have us “Cross the Line”, aka the Equator, before we arrive in Nuka Hiva. We’ll have four sea days to prepare for our next tour. In the meantime, we’ll be sure to enjoy the amenties of the ship and the comraderie of our fellow travelers. Believer it not, I’ve made a few friends!!

Wish us fair winds and following seas,

Captain Bobby