First off, I have to say that I am not sure that a cruise ship is the best way to see the Hawaiian islands. Not to say I did not enjoy it, but it is a bit limiting and quite frankly a bit expensive to experience the islands from a cruise ship. We stopped at Hilo, Kona, Lahaina, and finally Honolulu with the cruise ship before renting a car and spending the last three days on the north shore of Oahu at a place called Turtle Bay. But I am getting ahead of myself.

Hilo, on the island of Hawaii was my most anticipated stop. As my mother and myself were booked in for a hike around and through a volcanic crater. Our guide, Leo, was excellent and provided a non-stop flow of information. The day was perfect for a hike and we had a lovely time.

My mother and I at the halfway point of our hike around and through the Kilauea volcano crater.
My mother and I at the halfway point of our hike around and through the Kilauea volcano crater.

At the end of the hike we had a chance to explore a lava tube which was cool and provided me with the perfect excuse to haul out my tripod that I had been carrying all around the volcano. On the return to the ship we also did the obligatory side trip to the macadamia nut plant and gift shop. There is one place I wish I had shares in. I’m fairly sure everyone on every tour is delivered to this destination. They are delicious nuts though.

We got a chance to explore the Thurston lava tubes. Very impressive.
We got a chance to explore the Thurston lava tubes. Very impressive.

A couple of the more exciting points during our stops are where we had to take tenders from the ship to shore. Boarding these tenders in the harbour is a piece of cake, however, embarking and disembarking from the ship to the tender was a whole different story. If you happen to be changing vessels at the right time you would wonder what all the excitement was about. But if you were in transit as even light swells were going through it was like a ride at the Stampede (Calgary Stampede reference for you non Calgarians). The height difference between the two decks would go from zero to a metre (3 feet) with very little warning. The crew members were fantastic in working to keep passengers safe, however the Darwinian urges of some of the passengers helped me understand how people could get hurt during these operations.

Due to the depth of the harbours at Kona and Lahaina we had to take tenders to and from shore.
Due to the depth of the harbours at Kona and Lahaina we had to take tenders to and from shore.
Crew members standing by to assist passengers with disembarking from the tender at the side of the ship.
Crew members standing by to assist passengers with disembarking from the tender at the side of the ship.

In Kona, Karen and I took the opportunity to head out with a small group to do some scuba diving at a couple of sites just off shore. Big Island Water Sports are a small outfit who provide great service. We were fortunate that the group of six were all competent divers and needed a minimum of guidance, which makes for a more relaxed outing and plenty of time to explore.

Lots of Yellow tangs darting around the volcanic reefs.
Lots of yellow tangs darting around the volcanic reefs.
Moorish idol fish drifting around in groups of three or four.
Moorish idol fish drifting around in groups of three or four.
This white mouthed more eel cam out to say hello as I was going by.
This white mouthed Moray eel came out to say hello as I was going by.

The small reef fish were plentiful and beautifully coloured. The coral growing over the volcanic rock made for a stunning backdrop for the fish. It was the first chance I had to use my new underwater light so the colours were even brighter than I expected. At the second dive sight we were treated to an absolute mobbing of dolphins as we approached the site but unfortunately they all went elsewhere by the time we got in the water. Great day of diving though.

Heading to our second dive site. With our ship in the background. Great staff on the boat.
Heading to our second dive site. With our ship in the background. Great staff on the boat.

As we returned to the ship after diving I was able to get a reverse shoot of our cabin from water level. Circling this ship in a little tender certainly brings home the size of these vessels.

Our room was on the second row of balconies from the bottom on the left. Great location.
Our room was on the second row of balconies from the bottom on the left. Great location.

Our stop in Lahaina marked a milestone. It was my sister’s first Lu’au and first proper Hawaiian Lei. Everyone had a great time at the Old Lahaina Lu’au. The food was excellent and the entertainment non stop.

A much anticipated event of our time in Hawaii was my sister attending her first luʻau and getting a proper lei.
A much anticipated event in Hawaii was my sister attending her first luʻau and getting a proper Hawaiian lei.
I have to put one last plug in for the entertainment onboard the ship. The productions were first class and the performer were excellent.
I have to put one last plug in for the entertainment onboard the ship. The productions were first class and the performers were excellent. This was the last show during our time on the ship.

Our last port of call with the ship was Honolulu. This worked exceptionally well as we were on the ship for two nights here, giving us a whole day to explore Honolulu before departing northbound. We did a bunch of walking before getting tickets for the Waikiki Trolley Tour. It is a hop on hop off kind of set up, but quite frankly I was fine with just hopping on and enjoying views and commentary.

Packed in the Waikiki Trolley Tour around Honolulu. The full tourist experience.
Packed in the Waikiki Trolley Tour around Honolulu. The full tourist experience.
King Kamehameha at the King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Centre in Honolulu on the island of Oahu.
King Kamehameha at the King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Centre in Honolulu on the island of Oahu.

The trolley did a trip out to Diamond Head which afforded beautiful views of the shore and the surrounding hills and volcanoes.

A view down the south shore of Oahu. One of the stops on our Waikiki Trolley tour.
A view down the south shore of Oahu. One of the stops on our Waikiki Trolley tour.
The last sunset from the balcony of our stateroom on the ship looking west across the harbour entrance in Honolulu.
The last sunset from the balcony of our stateroom on the ship looking west across the harbour entrance in Honolulu.

From Honolulu we rented a Jeep to drive north to Turtle Bay along the north shore. Unfortunately the weather was a bit overcast and rainy, but still a wonderful area with great beaches and facilities along the roads.

The north shore of Oahu in Turtle Bay.
The north shore of Oahu in Turtle Bay.

Hawaii is a wonderful holiday destination and a great place to enjoy sun and sand. However, I must be truthful and admit it was tainted a bit by the sad farewells and ‘see you laters’ with my Mom and sister. As well as the mystery and draw of what awaited us in the southern hemisphere. Life is not always filled with easy choices.

Enjoying the view on the north shore of Oahu. Looking forward to our next adventure.
Enjoying the view on the north shore of Oahu. Looking forward to our next adventure.

Welcome to our travel blog. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to say, "I'm out of here?" Well we did, and in 2013 we made it a reality. We sold or gave away all of our possessions other than what fit in our luggage and we set off on an endless adventure. Part of our goal is to share our experiences with others and hopefully provide some information, motivation, or just a moments escape. The general idea was to look for a place that would be ideal to settle down in. However in the meantime it is about experiencing life in different countries amongst different cultures and learning how to understand and appreciate each other. A large part of our time is spent housesitting which provides an excellent opportunity to experience more of the "normal" neighbourhoods as opposed to the tourist locales. Though we make sure to enjoy those as well. So through plenty of photographs and a running commentary come and share with us our life on the road.

1 comment on “Hawaii

  1. Wow! Beautiful pics! Happy for Jenn she finally got a proper one 😉
    Deb

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