Our Hawaiian Cruise

 

I took this while Bill drove--on our way out of the town of Haleiwa.

My mind is on Hawaii. It has been on Hawaii for the past two years when I became a Hawaii Specialist. I'm also an Oahu Specialist and a Kaua'i Specialist.

Last year, we had planned a Hawaiian cruise, but had to reschedule due to my husband's work. So, this year, we flew out of Jacksonville International on March 5 and headed to Honolulu. 

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki. I chose this because the beach was across the street which made the price a little more "affordable". 

Is anything really affordable in Hawaii? No, you have to be ready to spend. For us, this was a bucket-list trip. But, I have to say that I would happily go into major debt again if I could return to Hawaii. I sit and look at my pictures. Even the ones that didn't come out so well look beautiful to me.

I had reserved a Mustang convertible for Bill to drive. He was thrilled! 

Bill was so excited about showing me Oahu, where he had been stationed many (many, many) years ago. Honolulu is like a big parking lot--tons of traffic! First, we went to the base where Bill was stationed and then to the base where he went to Communications School. Bill is fond of telling me that his unit is typically killed during times of war because they have to go to the front lines and fix communications equipment. So, they are shot at and blown up during war time. Bill didn't serve during war time, and that's why he's driving that convertible Mustang in the photo (above).

Here's my favorite picture of the North Shore. 

Well, it's one of them. The North Shore is stunning! I think my favorite town on the North Shore is Haleiwa (ha-lay-eve-a). Something about this town just touched me, and I didn't want to leave. It wasn't the drink we had in the funny mug either!

              


There was much we didn't get to see in Honolulu (which is my justification for a return trip). However, we did go to a Luau on Friday night. I've seen Hawaiian dancers on TV, but that's not at all comparable to seeing them in person!

I have more on my You Tube channel . 

On Saturday, we dropped the rental car off at the airport and took a cab to the cruise port. This was an easy transition! 

Because we've sailed on Norwegian Cruise Line before, we had priority embarkation. That was GREAT! Before we knew it, we were on the Pride of America (POA). This is a charming ship, and perfectly fit the Aloha spirit of Hawaii! She's an older ship, and we found her to be a good home to us that week--the week that something changed in the COVID-19 pandemic. 

We were in a cocoon that week aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America. The crew constantly cleaned and sanitized (which is typical for NCL). 

We didn't realize that something was changing in the world outside of our ship, until the crew stopped letting us serve ourselves in the buffet. One morning, all the displays of food were roped off. The crew wore gloves and stood by the ropes giving us plates and utensils rolled up in a cloth napkin. At each food section, we could tell staff what we wanted to eat, but we weren't allowed to get our own food. 

NCL has always had the pleasantly aggressive Happy Happy Washy Washy crew outside the buffet and dining rooms. They are armed with a squirt bottle of hand sanitizer. They stand near the sanitizer dispenser too; so they can see whether you've used it on your own or if they will need to squirt you down. They are attractive; they make eye contact with each person, and they smile a lot as they say, "Happy, happy, washy washy" and squirt your hands. I always repeat this back to them as I cheerfully rub the sanitizer into my hands.

There she is! 

I took this picture at a hotel in Hilo. We sailed from Oahu to Maui that first night.The water was choppy, and Bill (who is never seasick) felt nauseous most of the night. The entertainment was really great--Billy Joel and Elton John sung by the same singer. It's bad to forget someone's name, and I have! I'm sorry! We listened to him in the Pink Champagne Room every night.

I should explain that the POA is in dry dock in April; so the Pink Champagne Room might not exist when she cruises again. Maybe the Pink Champagne Room will just get a little facelift during dry dock. I really enjoyed the time I spent in this lounge.

When we first came aboard POA, we learned that our snorkeling with the tortoises was canceled for the next day--not enough people signed up. We had brought our own snorkeling gear. I was VERY disappointed. I love turtles and tortoises--so much that I signed up to volunteer on the Sea Turtle Washback Program before we'd even moved to Florida.

Anyway, we had three excursions set up for Maui--snorkeling and the Sunset at the Haleakala Crater on March 8 and whale watching on March 9. 

Sunset at Haleakala was like a spiritual experience. The guide slowly acclimated us to the 9k feet above sea level altitude so no one got sick. I felt a little lightheaded at one point, but I was fine really. The guide showed us a plant that had been near extinction. He showed us where people were NOT supposed to walk (and, yes there were people walking anyway). 

Here are some people watching the sunset--also in a spot where they weren't supposed to be. This didn't distract from the beauty of it all--the sun setting below the clouds. 

    



See the clouds? We stood in the parking lot at the Park Rangers building, but above us was the peak of Haleakala, where you'll find nukes! Don't mess with the state of Hawaii!!!

The next day we boarded a zodiac and went whale watching. Momma whales swim down from Alaska when the waters there are cold so they can have their babies in Hawaii. We saw a few mommas and their calves. We also saw two male whales trying to get the attention of the mommas! 

If you get a good picture of a whale fluke, you can go on www.happywhale.com and post your picture. Since whales aren't tagged, this website is the best way of tracking the movement of whales you've seen. 

Day 4 took us to the Big Island. First, we visited Hilo. Our guide showed us the restaurant where Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson visits when he's on the island. 

Hilo is rustic. We rode through town on the way to Rainbow Falls. Then, we rode a bit to see Akaka and Kahuna Falls. Here are Bill and I by the famous Akaka Falls and the other is Rainbow Falls.

       

The POA moved over to Kona for our second day on the Big Island. Kona reminded me of a place where water sports people would love to visit. It's a small town. The Sheraton is down the road, located in a cove. We saw it from the zodiac. We were going to snorkel (finally), then see dolphin and lava caves. What a day! I have no pictures because I was holding on to my seat for dear life on that inflatable boat. 

It was such a great time, but I did hurt my back a little; so if you have back problems, don't do the zodiac here. 

I deliberately purchased a waterproof disposable camera so I could take pictures. Yes, I forgot the camera. We saw whales on the way to Kealakekua Bay Marine Preserve. I could watch whales forever.

We saw a memorial to Captain Cook, who came to Kealakekua Bay in 1779 during the makahiki time which celebrates the earth god Lono. The people thought Cook was the second coming of Lono so his crew got the royal treatment.  However, the English stayed too long and behaved in ways that made it very clear that they were not gods. They sailed out of the harbor on February 4, but had to return due to bad weather. Several incidences of violence broke out on both sides, and Cook was killed. 

It was by the memorial to Captain Cook that we snorkeled. It was gorgeous! When we were finished, we climbed back into the zodiac and had juice. Who greeted us? Several spinner dolphin--again no picture!! They're smaller in size than the bottle nose dolphin we have here, but they're just as friendly.

Several spinner dolphin came alongside our zodiac, jumped out of the water, spun around for us and then back into the water. What a great way to say, "Hi, look at me! Welcome to Kona!" They have the most joyous faces. 

Gradually, we had to leave our new friends and return to the ship--but wait! Our captain pointed out some lava caves and pushed the throttle on the zodiac. I knew he wouldn't drive us right into the walls of lava. 

At the last possible moment, the captain turned the boat to the right. We screamed with laughter. Then, our zodiac floated into two of the lava caves--just our nose, but the entire experience was thrilling. Seriously, I wish I had the camera!!!!! That must mean I have to return to Kona! Right?

For Days 6 and 7 we headed to Kaua'i for two days. Bill was really looking forward to visiting this island since Jurassic Park was filmed here. Our first day took us to the National Tropical Botanical Park. On the way, we stopped at Sprouting Horn. Watch the video and you'll see why it's called this!

While studying to be a Hawaii Specialist and also a Kaua'i Specialist, I learned about the McBryde & Allerton Gardens. It's the National Tropical Botanical Park. I just had to see this. What a beautiful place. We saw a bird that was close to extinction. The grounds are gorgeous.

               

The picture on the far right has been filmed in several movies including Seven Days, Six Nights starring Harrison Ford and Anne Heche. On our walk near the water, we passed an old tree with big white dinosaur eggs sitting between roots (from Jurassic Park).

One of the most breath-taking spots on our cruise was Waimea Canyon. My pictures don't do it justice (another reason for me to return?!). 

It's impossible to choose one representative picture of Waimea Canyon.

When you exit your tour bus, there are two ramps up to the sightseeing platforms--no steps. The ramp to the left is a bit steeper, and the one to the right is shorter and not steep. There is a lower viewing platform that as a few steps, but you really don't need to do that if you don't want to or can't. We bought fresh pineapple and coconut from the vendors here too. Hit the spot!

Sadly, it was time to leave the amazing islands of Hawaii. But first, the Pride of America had a great surprise in store for her guests! The Na'Pali Coastline!! So many times during this cruise, I said to myself "God made Hawaii." I can't recommend this cruise enough if you want to see absolute beauty and meet kind people. 

Aloha!



For More Information On Hawaii or Hawaiian cruises, contact Anita O'Donnell at 904-342-0740 or email me at anita.odonnell@cruiseplanners.com. Visit our website too! 

Your Hawaiian Specialist in St. Johns County, Florida!