One of the things that makes you feel safe on the ship is the fact that all passengers leaving the ship must check out electronically with their photo ID and when they return they must check in with it. Also, those boarding after a day of touring must send all bags and purses through the x-ray machine or submit to a physical baggage search. In addition, everyone goes through the metal detectors, just as you would do at the airport. So when it came time for immigration check before entering the U.S. at Hawaii, the procedure went smoothly. This was the point where passports were returned to the passengers. Typically the ship keeps the passports and the ID card is all you have when you visit the foreign country.
I am reluctant to get anywhere close to a hot erupting, flowing volcano, so we did not sign to see any part of Kilauea, go to Volcanoes National Park, or fly for a helicopter view. They just all seem a little too close for my comfort. In talking with another cruiser after the fact, I knew I made a good decision. She had walked over recently crusted molten lava and had a burn on her ankle from some steam. And after all, helicopters are man-made.
We had two tours lined up for today. The one in the morning, called "Best of Hilo" targeted three main locations: Nani Mau Gardens, Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory, and Akaka Falls.
The gardens were nice but not outstanding compared to other gardens Lesley and I have visited in the past. A tram transported us through the area, stopping occasionally for photos.
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The Macadamia Nut Factory didn't have a tour, but had some windows where you could look into the production area. It wasn't very exciting because you didn't get an explanation of exactly what they were doing.
There was a steep paved path that led to Akaka Falls about a quarter of a mile from the location of the tour bus. An alternate, more challenging, route circled the other direction toward another waterfall before winding back to Akaka.
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Our second tour, Tropical Botanical Garden Tour was a walking experience. They claimed it was a one mile tour. I know it was more than that and they didn't mention the steep, really steep, incline when exiting. This was much more what you'd expect a Hawaiian tropical garden to look like. The paths led down to the sea (and back) The guide who picked us up on the pier is a botanist there!.
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Ive never seen a black elephant ear plant before. The flowers were unique and beautiful.
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There were many varieties of orchids and what I think were ornamental pineapples.
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I believe the hill on the exit is what initially irritated my knee. I am still recovering from a pulled muscle that goes around my knee cap.
This port was another at anchorage, so we had to use the tenders for transportation to and from shore. Our tour, Lanai Wild Dolphin & Snorkeling Adventure, was all on a boat or swimming. John and Debbie were with Lesley and I. No stops at beaches.
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It is the time of year that the whales gather around Maui to give birth in protected waters. Fortunately, we were seeing whales everywhere. They weren't very close, but easy to spot on all sides of the boat. We came across several mother/calf pairs and could see them breaching, diving, and blowing water spouts into the air. It was fantastic. Every time another was spotted, tourists with cameras would rush to one side of the boat or another to try to snap a picture. Then one on the other side would come up and the boat shifted. Getting the showing recorded with a camera was more of a challenge. I have several shots of just water or a speck. The one below is the best I could get without a movie camera. The whale is the black spot in the middle of the ocean.
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We arrived at our snorkel spot without seeing any dolphins. But just after I got in the water, there were two sea turtles swimming by the boat on a strip of sand between coral reefs. They were graceful and not moving very fast.
On our return to the ship we again viewed multiple whales. At one point, we stopped and the boat lowered a microphone into the water so we could listen to them singing. Fantastic. The guide said they all sing the same song. The song changes a little each year until after three years the song is brand new. But they all know the new song. It was very interesting.
In the evening, we attended a show called 'Ulalena. It is a "Lion King" type production of the creation and ancient settling of Hawaii.
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Since we were at anchorage, our shore tour began earlier than most. We had to be ready by 7:30AM. We were not able to get tickets for a sunrise viewing of Haleakala Crater. For that we would have to be started by 4:00AM. We were first in line for the tour bus and got to sit in the front for the climb in a wide bus up narrow roads. Sometimes it seemed the bus was hanging over the edge of some of the cliffs. As we climbed higher and higher our eagleÕs view spread to cover neighboring islands.
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We stopped at the visitor center for about fifteen minutes before continuing to the top. There were sliver swords, a plant only found near this crater and no where else on earth. The are said to be a cross between a century plant and a sun flower. Another bush had a silvery shine.
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Lesley walked up to the high point that is open to the public. I used my knee as an excuse not to. (It really was hurting.) Another hill top has several observatories that are owned/sponsored by various countries. They are not open to the public. I'd love to look at the stars and planets from there.
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The center of the crater itself resembles the photographs received back from the rover that landed on Mars...with less red dirt. Clouds were moving in fast, as they often do as the day progresses.
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Our driver took us to a second vantage point for a different perspective of the crater and a better view of the cinder cones.
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For the effort of ascending to Haleakala, a certificate was available for proof that you were there. They were provided for a donation used for park maintenance.
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Of course, no trip ashore would be complete without trying to phone Lesley's mom and to check on her dog, Angie.
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This was our last night on the ship and our last visit to the Karaoke Bar. Lesley was desperate to make me sing, something I never agreed to. But, she talked my brother John into singing with me (a song he hadn't tried before) and signed us both up for a song. I sang "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," poorly, but made it through. I'm not sure John's moral support really helped with that tune. I think Lesley wanted me to do this so she would be able to laugh at me later.
Our ship docked in Honolulu and it took a couple of hours for customs to let us disembark. Lesley and I had made reservations to stay at a hotel over night so we could go around Waikiki and attend a luau, since Lesley had never been to Hawaii before and we had not signed up for one on the other islands. John and Debbie were heading back to Houston in the evening and joined us at the hotel for a swim while they waited for their flight. I love swimming at Waikiki. The beach is sand and coral so you have to watch where you step. My favorite place to stay is the Sheraton Moana Surfrider. It is elegant and right on the beach. It is the hotel I stayed at when I took Brandi to Hawaii when she was 16. The swim was great and then it was time to clean up for our final tour.
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At 4:00 PM Lesley and I said good-bye to John and Debbie so we could catch our tour bus for the Paradise Cove Luau. By the time we arrived, my knee was keeping me mostly immobile. Lesley took some nice photos of the hukilau and a great sunset. Then it was time for the entertainers who demonstrated typical dances from each of the areas that initially settled in Hawaii.
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The guys here are really sexy, especially when they do the Tahitian dances! The girls were lovely, too, and very graceful. Everyone should take in at least one luau. I don't recommend the poi.
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We're glad we could share our vacation with you. I hope for a moment you were able to live vicariously through us.
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