Hawaii Trip Cont.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Nice leisurely morning, late breakfast and a walk on the beach. Great way to start a day. We were not leaving for the cruise ship until 12:15 p.m. so a good excuse to do a little shopping and beach walking. Teena had told me that there was an ABC store on every corner in Hawaii. She was not kidding, every corner and then some. Below are picture taken from the beach in Waikiki. Of course we saw surfers. I also thought I would get a shot of the view from our balcony at the hotel. It was under construction.

This tree was very cool looking. I tried to look it up and I think it is a Ficus Banyan Tree. We saw them in several different places in Hawaii. The roots grow down and then embed in the ground and start a new tree. The guys were pretending to be Tarzan.

Around 12:15 p.m. we checked out of the hotel and boarded a bus for the cruise ship. The cruise ship was huge to me. I have never been up close and personal to a cruise ship and was amazed at the size. When we go to the ship there was a huge line to register. It looked like the entire Island was getting on the ship. We stood in line for a while until Teena realized that we were VIP's. VIPs (people who are Latitude Members or those who have used Norwegian before) got to go to the front of the line. We got to bypass everyone but the photographer. This saved us hours in line. We went and got something to eat at the buffet and then walked around the ship to become acquainted where everything was. Our luggage finally arrived at our state room so we could unpack and make ourselves at home in our luxurious 4X4 suite. That includes the bathroom.

After dinner at the Skyline restaurant we were entertained by the crew and comedian Jeff Harms. The entertainment was in the front of the ship which rocks the most putting us to sleep during the entertainment. I also realized by that time that the motion of the ship made me really dizzy, uncomfortably dizzy.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Early in the morning the ship docked in Maui. We had decided for this days adventure we would rent a car and do the road to Hana. Unlucky for us it was pouring rain that morning. Oh well, do it anyway. Dennis was the driver I was the navigator, sort of. Teena had borrowed a book from the neighbor who had gone to Maui in May. She had marked several things that her family had enjoyed doing that she thought we might also. So off we went.

The first stop we made was at Waikamoi Stream See the rope, we were going to tell everyone that we swung across the stream. We really didn't. As you can see by the force of the water it would have been a little dangerous. The rain was making all the waterfalls run at very high levels.

Waikamoi Stream

Going up the road to Hanna these three falls were massive. Hard to tell them apart. By the time we came down again it was easy to distinguish the three falls apart and which was the Papa, the Mama and the Baby. What a difference a few hours made and no more rain.

Upper Waikani Falls or The Three Bears

At about the half way mark the guide book suggested that we stop and taste test the Banana Nut bread at a little snack bar. So we did. It was very tasty. I would recommend it to all.

Next stop Wai'anapanapa Park Black Sand Beach. The black sand was amazing to see. There was no swimming do to Jelly Fish in the water. We did not see any but the waves were to hard anyway to really swim.

Wai'anapanapa Park Black Sand Beach fresh water caves

Pa'iloa Beach (Black Sand)

Lava Tube Cave

We then went to the other side of the black sand beach and found some blow holes. Wade said, "go stand by that blow hole and I will get your picture when it blows." We had watched another couple take pictures by it and it was rather cool. So I went and stood by it.

When it blew I disappeared. See the before picture and then the after. I am standing in the same place. I had not moved at all.

So, I told Wade to go stand by it and I would get his picture. Can you believe he actually did it. You can see what happened when he stood by it. Barely any water! You can also tell that he was ready to move fast if it blew big.

After we feasted on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches we continued on to Homoa Beach. The waves were great so Wade and Dennis body surfed. Teena and I played in the waves. For reasons, I don't remember, we did not take the camera to the beach with us. So I had to get a picture off the Internet. Looks like I took it doesn't it. The waves were big and broke close to shore. They deposited you right on the beach. The bad part was, our bathing suits filled with sand and no place to rinse or shower off.

Next we headed to "Ohe" O Gulch or the 7 Sacred Pools. Again, no swimming due to the heavy rain fall. It was still worth seeing.

We made several other stops along our way to the top of Hana. Because of the rain we were unable to get any more pictures going up. Then on the way down we were just to tired, it was getting dark, and the road a little scary. Thanks Dennis for driving. Every day seemed to get better and better!

Monday, October 5, 2009

We were still docked in Maui for the day. This day we had booked an excursion called "Molokini & Dolphin Adventure. It was great to head down to the dock, get picked up, and head to our adventure. We boarded the Quicksilver to head out to Molokini Crater and then Turtle Town to snorkel. On our way back we went to the south tip of Maui where dolphins are often spotted swimming playfully in the Pacific (that's what the info said). No dolphins and no turtles. But, we did see some amazing fish and coral while we snorkeled.

Just a side note. There were a lot of people on this boat for the days activities and since we were quite far back on the bus getting off we did not get prime seating on the boat. We found seating directly across from the bathrooms. So, we became the bathroom monitors. We were always letting others know if there was someone in there or not. We met a family from the cruise ship that were vacationing from Australia. They were a very nice family. There son, about 13, was constantly checking out the bathroom. Not sure if he needed to use it that much or just wanted to check it out. Twice he opened the door while someone was utilizing it. It really was quite amusing.

Quicksilver

Bus

The rest of the day we spent relaxing on the ship.

Tuesday, October 2, 2009

We were all set for hiking to waterfalls and playing in the water. This adventure was much more mild that we had expected. It was a very calm and leisurely tour of Hilo. Our excursion was a "Cave, Lagoon & Waterfall Trek". I make it sound like we did not enjoy it. We enjoyed it very much, it just was not what we had expected by the brief summary it gave. On this morning, we loaded on a van and did a overview of some of the sights in Hilo. We stopped at a surfing beach. Tons of surfers.

We then continued on to see several waterfalls. I have more pictures but I am sure you do not want to see even more waterfalls than have already posted.

Then we proceeded to "Rainbow Falls" and this banyan tree was huge. We "hiked" in the back way. It was not much of a hick. Actually there were steps that we used. Yes, there was a rainbow there.

It was a beautiful waterfall with rainbow. I am not that good of photographer and was unable to get the rainbow in it. It was there.

Then we headed to an area known as boiling pots where water from the Wailuku River rushes through old lava rocks and lava tubes creating a boiling effect.

Then we headed to Kaumana Caves. Now, these were cool. You walked down a very steep staircase down to the floor of the lava tube. Lush foliage surrounds the opening and plant and tree roots extend through the ceiling of the tube. You definitely needed a flashlight. The tube was 2-miles long. The lava tube was created by an 1881 flow from Mauna Loa.

Next off to the rugged coastline of the black sand beaches of King's Landing. This is an area where fresh water meets with ocean water. In one place there was a little pond that you could almost swim in. When first entering the water is very cold, but as you venture farther in it became warmer. Not a lot warmer but a little warmer. This is due to the mixture of the waters.