Sea Day #5

Hello from the most boring sea day ever. It wasn’t because of the lack of activities on the ship because there were plenty. 

It was because of a dog. Baloo, my daughter’s dog who I babysat when he was a puppy, had a life threatening medical emergency last night. He was rushed to the all-night veterinarian office, transferred to another, and had emergency surgery in the wee hours of the morning. As things progressed, texts and calls between my daughter and I were numerous throughout the night and early morning hours. It was 3:45 AM Hawaii time when Baloo was out of surgery and I felt comfortable getting in some sleep. And 6 something when I got the next update. At that point I decided to turn off the alarm, push the privacy sign on the door panel, and dig out a protein bar for when I woke up. 

Baloo will be in the hospital for at least another day but should make a full recovery. They had to make a late afternoon trip back to see him because the boy wouldn’t eat but his mom and dad (my daughter and son-in-law) were able to get some baby food in him.

With me sleeping in my day started late. I skipped going to breakfast, I skipped the treadmill, and I barely made my way to the dining room for lunch. I made my own lunch combo of a Thai spring roll and grilled shrimp pasta - minus the pasta.

I had to cut through the casino to get to and from my cabin and the dining room, and since it wasn’t very crowded today I stopped and played a little while. My winnings will help contribute to the Baloo recovery fund.

Put in a $100 bill, lose $30 of it, and win $1547.20. 
Yeah, I’ll take it. 

After lunch were more phone calls and texts and updates which then rolled into predinner drinks. Someone may or may not have had multiple lemon drop martinis.

Dinner was another mix and match meal with this time being beef and a little baby lobster tail. The lobster looked so much more impressive when it was in the shell.

Can you find the lobster?
I think my shrimp at lunch were bigger.

I turned in early tonight, hoping to get some better sleep. What’s up tomorrow? Another sea day, but hopefully a more productive one. See you then!

Nawiliwili, Hawaii

Hello from Kauai!

After a crappy breakfast of scrambled eggs, peppers, onions, and cheese

Gross

And a 20 minute session on the treadmill 

Morning treadmill view

I went back to the cabin, changed shoes, and got packed for my day. Today’s plan was going to happen, rain or no rain, so the waterproof jacket and hat got tucked into my bag.

There was only one place (technically two?) I wanted to go today, the nearby Kalapaki beach and Duke’s. When Ed and I have been here before we’ve contemplated Duke’s, but there’s always been a long line. It’s also so expensive it’s been hard for us to justify eating or drinking there. But on this visit it’s just me, the sun is shining, and it’s my last Hawaiian port. So today I first perused the grounds of what used to be the Marriott but is now the Royal Sonesta. Beautiful flowers and foliage and a koi pond, complete with food so you could feed them. The koi were huge.

There was a bathroom nearby, too

Then a little stroll down the beach and a little bit of people watching had me ready for the 10:45 AM opening of Duke’s.

Once seated somebody may or may not have had more than one Mai Tai.

Mai Tai #1

#2

#3

And a guava daiquiri/martini kind of drink.

Before my cheeseburger I contemplated having a piece of hula pie but when the server told me there is a pint of ice cream in one slice, I passed.

I could only eat half. But so good. 

Instead, on my way back to the ship I stopped off for one last shave ice. 

What would you choose?

I chose the small Alive made from strawberry, banana, and vanilla. I guess the vanilla was the blue? Oh so tasty. 

It was definitely a magnificent day and a great way to end my time on the islands. We now have five long sea days until we arrive in Ensenada, Mexico.

Bye, Nawiliwili. Hope to see you again!

Honolulu, Hawaii

Hello from the island of Oahu! It’s a rainy day here in Honolulu.

Diamond Head is out there

After my omelet breakfast I walked the treadmill while hoping the skies would clear. 

18 minute treadmill view today

I also watched the weather from up in Skywalkers and even made my way across the wet deck to double check the abilities of the scooter to navigate slick surfaces. I knew the answer already, but how could I come all this way and miss going out in Honolulu? By early afternoon my decision was made. With weather on the bridge cam looking like this I would have to stay put on the ship. 

Looks like today’s a wash

Things lightened a little bit later in the afternoon and I probably could have chanced it, but by that point I had lost my motivation. I’ve been here many times before so it’s not like I haven’t experienced everything Honolulu and Oahu have to offer. Plus I’m certain I’ll be back again another day. 

The rain stopped tonight so it’s easier to see Diamond Head.
Too late for me to go anywhere now.

Pre dinner drinks included a new one, some kind of vodka, blue curaçao, and pineapple juice mixture.

And some delicious dumplings from the Elite Lounge

A shrimp dish for dinner with a sugar free coconut cake and orange sorbet for dessert rounded out the evening.  

A little too spicy for me

A great combo

A nice little swan towel animal greeted me upon my arrival back at the cabin. 

Look at the “feathers”

Tomorrow we’re in Kauai. I’m hoping for some good weather there. So you then!

Kahului, Maui

Hello from Maui!

A beautiful day is brewing

View during my 16 minute treadmill session

I contemplated involving an island bus in my travels again today but changed my mind. Ed and I have been here several times as well so I really didn’t feel the need to venture out across the island. So I bypassed the lines for the ship excursions and the even longer line for the taxis

Me, choosing to be in a taxi like this? No thanks. 

and followed the convoluted path out of the port.

The fenced walkway was narrow in some places 

Once out of the port a right turn takes you to a stoplight. Cross the street to the left and you’ll find yourself in the Maui Mall Village, an outdoor mall with a collection of shops and restaurants and even a movie theater. 

A Regal Theater with a splash pad and palm trees? Oh, yeah. 

In the mall there is also a Long’s Drugs (haven’t seen one of those in years) and a Whole Foods. There’s plentiful outdoor seating and that’s where I encountered momma hen and her chicks looking for crumbs. 

Sorry, no food here

I did some souvenir shopping at Long’s Drugs.

Unique Japanese flavors I can’t find at home - matcha and kohaku

Had a personal-sized pizza lunch at Round Table Pizza. 

Strolled over to the guri guri place for a guri guri dessert. The frozen dessert similar to sherbet was so good I wish I had ordered a larger size.

Strawberry and pineapple flavors are all they sell.
The perfect combination. 

Rolled my way back to the ship for yet another nap. What is up with that?

Home sweet home

The nap and phone calls from home led into drinks before dinner, 

Lemon Drop martini

Angelo Azzuro martini, too sweet for me

which led into my dinner of appetizer-sized portions of roast pork tenderloin, wok-flashed shrimp, and a watermelon sorbet dessert. 

I also had the sweet longan fruit from yesterday. Peeling the hard outer shell revealed a soft semi-clear white fruit with a dark pit. 

We had some mighty 45+ mph winds howling as we left the breakwaters of Kahului tonight and had some very noticeable listing of the ship. (As a passenger I would call it significant but I’m sure it wouldn’t be in Captain’s terms.) Thankfully we’re getting into open waters for our short sail to tomorrow’s port of Honolulu. See you there!