Hilo, Hawaii

Hello from Hilo!

At 6:23 AM today the Mauna Kea summit and observatory were showcasing themselves in the early morning sunshine. What a sight.

As we pulled into the dock, we had a tugboat on standby. Moana is her name.

It was another glorious day - even though I never left the ship. I was here in the spring (I wrote about the visit here) and thought about whether I wanted to make the trek back down to the farmers market again today, or go get shave ice again. I didn’t. So I opened the mini muffins I picked up at Whole Foods yesterday and ate them for breakfast. In the shade, on the balcony, while watching the clouds show and hide (and show and hide) the summit.

As I stayed and watched commercial and military planes landing, minutes turned into hours and before I knew it the noontime phone call from my daughter rolled around.

By the time the call was over, the sun started coming around to my side of the ship.

When I’d get too hot I’d come back into the air-conditioned cabin until I cooled down. And then back out I’d go. All day long. It was a wonderful way to spend the last day in Hawaii.

I spent my last evening in Hawaii outside at Movies Under the Stars watching Bohemian Rhapsody. A great way to end another great day.

We have five sea days in a row until we get to Ensenada, Mexico. See you then!

Kahului, Maui

Hello from Maui!

This morning’s photo yet again was from my balcony. Another early start to the day for me. 

6 AM view

I thought about going back to sleep, but when a day like this awaits you it’s hard to climb back into bed.

Although I didn’t go to a beach I did have a good day, even if it wasn’t exciting. Today I repeated what I did in Kahului earlier this year.

First up, Guri Guri. For a 10 AM breakfast? You betcha.

Then to Round Table Pizza for a pepperoni and garlic pizza for an 11 AM lunch.

A noon phone call with my daughter as I people watched - and sky watched.

A stop at Whole Foods for some browsing and snack purchasing.

Can you imagine walking out of your Whole Foods and seeing this view?

Then it was time for the long haul back to the port. Kahului is a working port so it’s complicated to get in and out of. I took pictures of the path on the way back to the ship. I did forget to take the first picture, but after the first turn here’s where you’ll be going to get back. If it looks like a lot of turns and narrow paths, it is. 

This part of the path was new.

It was a very warm day today so I was happy to be tucked in my nice air-conditioned cabin for the afternoon and evening. I even caught the sun slipping behind the mountain. 

Tomorrow we’ll be in Hilo, our last port in Hawaii. See you there!

Nawiliwili, Kauai

Hello from Kauai!

Golf anyone?

Because I was just here a few months ago - and because it was such a great day then - I decided to duplicate it today.

I’m coming your way!

I made sure to be out of the cabin and on my way so I could make it to the Koi feeding at the Royal Sonesta resort at 10 AM. I made it with plenty of time to spare. They have little cups of food so anyone who wants to do the feeding can. So I did.

One new thing I discovered today was a shortcut to the gardens. Usually I push my scooter up this hill. But today I found it’s not necessary as a little farther down the path is an elevator. And you don’t have to be a guest at the hotel to use it.

I perused the grounds, checking to see if any different flowers were blooming in the fall compared to when I was here in the spring. There were a few flowers, but mostly I found lots of different colors in the foliage.

 

The grounds are just gorgeous, no matter the time of year.

As is the pool area.

I spent some time on the beach and then right at 10:45 I went over to Duke’s for drinks and lunch. Multiple Mai Tais and a cheeseburger kept me busy for a few hours.

After lunch I went back to the beach. I like that the grass is firm and compact and I can take my scooter on it.

The extra time soaking in the sun had me ready for more refreshment. On the way back to the ship I stopped at the shave ice place where I stopped last year and had the exact same one I had last year.

I sat in the breezeway in a comfy chair and ate almost all of it. And yes, it was much better than yesterday‘s shave ice at the Ala Moana Center.

It was another great day in Hawaii.

Tonight’s sunset

Tomorrow we’re in Maui. See you there!