Days 8 & 9 - Hawaiian Islands

12 February in Honolulu
The clocks went back an hour last night , so it was much easier getting up today.  Our trip assembly time was 8.45, so we were 3rd in line when breakfast opened at 7.30.  Our tour was Natural Highlights of Honolulu and involved a drive around much of the island.  The weather was glorious with gentle Tradewinds blowing.  The sights we visited were predominantly coastal and we saw humpback whales in the distance from both sides of the island.   The whales come down to Hawaii from Alaska with their young every year, so we were here at the right time.

We actually started off going to Diamond Head Crater, which for many years years was a military base and is now an active Civil Defence headquarters.  Our guide explained how the craters were formed in a different fashion to our NZ volcanoes and how the composition has been affected by winds and changes in water levels over the years.  Apparently volcanic activity from the depths of the earth are expected every 350,000 years - and that is pretty well the time since the last major bout of activity.

Our guide was particularly knowledgeable and barely stopped talking for the whole 5 hours.  I must add however that he was interesting,  not like some we have experiencedin the past.  The tour was scheduled for 4 hours, but he and the guide on the other bus got their times confused, so we got great value!  Only 1 couple complained - but even so, he continued on and ignored her.

We got back to the ship at 2.00 and came across the most grumpy US security staff we have ever experienced.  Dare I say it, but the were aged women who just seemed to love a bit of a uniform and authority.  To simply return to the ship we had to produce our passports along with our cruise cards, the former were intently scrutinised.  Don't know why, but  no point arguing.  On board we had room service lunch and then we headed back into town on our own.

We were headed towards Wakiki Beach and caught the #19 bus as far as Ala Moana shopping centre, where Vivian wanted to check out Macey. Really just another Farmers,  but bigger and  ore expensive.  After a brief visit we walked about half an hour to the top of Wakiki and watched the late sun and all the people walking, sitting, eating & drinking.  Very pleasant, but as it was about 5.30, thought it was best to head home.  Fortunately #19 was not far away and we were surprised that it was the same driver as our journey out.  The fare was just $2.50 each as that included the free transfer back to the ship.

It was too late for dinner by the time we got back, so we showered and went upstairs to the Lido.  For some reason, they did not have a full buffet tonight, only Indian,  which Vivian didn't feel like.  We however found Bangers & Mash,  so as we weren't hungry, this was adequate.  We "dined" on the open deck by the pool and it was a perfect temperature.  As an added bonus we found that the Hinton puts on a fireworks display every Friday, so we were in a perfect position to watch this.  Sad to say but we were in bed & asleep by 8.00.  The ship however didn't sail until just before midnight,  as we are only going to Maui, not far away.

13 February at Lahaina
Yet another beautiful day as we dropped anchor around 8.00.  This is a tender port and our trip today was the first off the ship which meant we had to be in the theatre at 7.45.  MDR still didn't open until 7.30, so room service was the only option.  It was very good too.  When the tender boat arrived at the dock, we were denied permission to land.  I am sure that they had sent over the same women from Honolulu!  Absolutely incredible when you think about it - after all we are still in USA & have been processed for that country.  Anyway everything was resolved and we headed for our business to take us to the Iao Valley, in the centre of the island.  On the way along the coast we once again saw (dozens of) humpback whales.

A very interesting trip and it is surprising how little of the land is being used for agriculture.  The last remaining sugar plantations are closing next month with the loss of over 600 jobs.  Clearly the people are unhappy with the way they are treated by both State & national governments.  While a lot of land has been opened up for prime real estate, there are also impoverished areas.  Our driver guide, who turns 70 this year, lost his home about 6 years ago due to the GFC and he now works 2 jobs to support his family, including sending his granddaughter to College.  Having said that, his daughter retired from the Police at age 45.

The State Park was lovely and green and clearly there is a lot of rain higher up the valley, whereas the slopes towards the sea are almost barren.  After a general tour around the capital of the island we went to the Maui Tropical Plantation,  which is simply a tourist trap.  We went on a road train trip around the property,  which is growing a variety of tropical plants etc. for sale at there market.  We had expected a true plantation but were not overly impressed.  The only part which did impress us was the locally grown & brewed coffee we had before heading get back to the ship - delicious.

Back in Lahaina, we walked about half of the town, but there was nothing to take the eye, so lined up for the tender back to the ship.  Yet more room service lunch (& 3.00) and watched the whales out on our starboard side.  The ship set sail around 5.00 and as we went out the whales got a little closer.  I think they thought that we were family!  Next stop is Western Samoa on Friday 19th.