Before the Gala dinner, we played some Wonder Woman slots again. Chuck hit a big win. Nice way to start the evening. Then, while we listened to the Dance Band, we used our coupons for the special Mariner Cocktail – tasted like a weird glass of champagne.
I was right when I predicted that the main dining room would be crowded. Biggest crowd yet. I wasn’t surprised as HAL had lobster tail on the menu. Lobster is usually an upcharge so when people can get it free – stampede!
We shared a table with travelers we’ve eaten with before – couple from San Diego and the solo traveler from Arizona.
I tried escargot for the first time in my life. The San Diego couple convinced me to give it a whirl and if I didn’t like the first one, he’d finish them for me. I admit – they weren’t terrible. I ate them all.
For the main course, we all had the beef tenderloin and lobster tail except for one who had the lamb shank. The steak and lobster tail were delicious except that I got a huge piece of tenderloin that I couldn’t finish. Felt bad for wasting that good piece of meat.
Then the waiter and the other couples said I had to try the crème Brulé. I should not have let them talk me into it since I couldn’t finish my meal. But I did. Turns out – not a fan. The others said not to judge all crème Brulé on the ones served tonight. They said the consistency was too runny. I just know I didn’t care for it.
Internet is still so poor. All my phone photos are in a queue trying to upload. Sometimes I forget how spoiled I am with our home Internet speed.
After dinner, we listened to the Dance Band and then went to comedian Martin Beaumont’s second show. Just as funny as the first one.
We came back to the room and we had another towel animal and two HAL pillow chocolates.
We also had a note from King Neptune indicating he is giving us safe passage into the Southern Hemisphere. We will have his homage ceremony at a later date.
The stewards took the other bag of laundry but the first bag is not yet back. Maybe it will come soon.
Unfortunately, Chuck was the one to have a restless night last night. I think it was the two-hour nap he took yesterday afternoon.
It was cloudy when we woke up. Decided to eat in the main dining room for a change of pace. We sat with a couple from England and a couple from southern California. I had the Swedish pancakes. They look and taste like crepes to me. They were very good – filled with cream and big blackberries with blackberry compote on top. Chuck ordered the egg, diced ham, and diced potato skillet – said it had a southwestern flavor.
I sat on the balcony and read while Chuck played some slots until it was time for the presentation about exploring French Polynesia by Kainoa, the Hawaiian ambassador. He has cousins on some of the islands, so he was able to tell some personal stories as well as give pertinent information about the islands.
We have excursions planned on the majority of the islands so our days are pretty filled but we may have some free time to just look around. I think Chuck got worried when I perked up at the part about the beautiful black pearls that are for sale. I usually just buy Christmas tree ornaments as souvenirs but I may have to make an exception this trip.
Decided to make it a main dining room kind of day and made our way back to it for lunch. I had the grilled shrimp with roasted cauliflower and Chuck had the Reuben sandwich. Both were very good.
Laundry from the other day was delivered so I got it put away. Still waiting for the second bag.
Sun had come out so I had more veranda time while Chuck played some 3-card poker. I’ve now finished two books for this trip. I am thankful for my Kindle as I would hate to lug even paperbacks around and HAL has really downsized their onboard libraries. Of course, if I had forgotten the Kindle charger, I would wish I had a paperback.
Did get our passports turned in before we set out for the evening. Gave us receipts for them that I put in the room safe. We should get them back on March 27th.
Both the Dance Band and the BB King Band had the night off. Good for them. Sad for us. We went to the Sea View area to enjoy the warm breezes. Some members of the BB King band were having a good time in the pool and hot tubs.
Dinner tonight was a shared table – a couple from Kona, Hawaii, and a solo traveler but I didn’t hear where she was from. I did hear her say that she has traveled on several HAL world cruises and was even on the ill-fated one in 2020 that had to disembark all its passengers in Perth, Australia. She is scheduled for the world cruise in 2023.
I would be interested in hearing about the logistics of booking a cruise that long. Hard for me to imagine how you deal with stuff back home being gone essentially from January to June.
Chuck and I had the same dinner – Shrimp Louie cocktail, black bean soup, and grilled red snapper. We both skipped dessert. Another excellent meal.
The wave action was getting rougher so we decided to skip the main stage show – a cabaret singer. Read my book until I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer.
Ended up having a restless night. Temperature of the room felt warm. Think the air conditioner is struggling as we get closer to the equator.
Ate a late breakfast in the Lido. Afterwards, I attended the lecture by Ross, the onboard naturalist – The Culture of Whales. Again, he was an excellent presenter.
Some interesting points –
The humpback whale sound was first recorded in 1967. Scientists determined that the male whales sing the same song and it lasts for 15 minutes on one breath of air.
The song was made into an album in 1970 and it made the Top 50. It inspired people to work harder toward protecting whales and other species.
The song is found to change slightly each season.
The humpback whale sounds were sent into space on the Voyager II.
Bubble netting is a group activity where humpbacks will work together to surround tiny fish and other creatures with a net made of their air bubbles. The humpbacks will then dive below the bubble net and come straight up through the bubbles with their mouths open to swallow all the fish. This group activity was first observed in pods in Norwegian waters but it wasn’t long before it was also seen in the Hawaiian and Indonesian pods.
Orcas, too, will work together to capture their prey – seals, sea lions, penguins, dolphins, and even other whales. They are especially good at lining up side-by-side and swimming fast toward a small ice berg. This action creates a wave that will wash a seal right off the berg.
After the presentation, Chuck and I went to the gym and then did a mile walk on the promenade deck. I spent the rest of the afternoon sunning by the Sea View pool.
It was very windy and one time I had to chase my Diet Coke can across the deck before it could go overboard. I wished I had remembered that I had taken my swim shoes off. The deck was super hot so I was doing the high step-hop trying to capture that aluminum can. I’m glad the Internet has been spotty; otherwise, I feel certain I would have ended up on YouTube – “watch old woman chase Coke can.”
Chuck decided that an afternoon spent napping in a cool cabin would be better. I think it was a good choice.
Tonight is another Gala night so the main dining room will be crowded.
Why would I interrupt a good nap to see a presentation filled with math, physics, and politics? Because as we sail southward, we are skipping Saturday, March 12 and going to straight to Sunday, March 13.
The International Dateline was established 180 degrees from the Prime Meridian, the reference point of time zones, in Greenwich, United Kingdom. The date line runs from the North Pole to the South Pole and marks the Western and Eastern Hemisphere divide.
However, it is not straight but curves around landmasses and national borders. For example, it leans towards the east at the Bering Strait between Asia and North America, leaving Cape Dezhnev in Russia a day ahead of Cape Prince of Wales in Alaska even though they are only 50 miles apart.
In our case, Kiribati and Hawaii are on different sides of the date line. People asked why are we changing since we are not stopping in Kiribati any more due to their COVID outbreak. Apparently, it is some sort of maritime law that ships must be able to communicate on the same time and time zone as the countries they pass in case of emergencies. Okay.
Other interesting facts:
Every day between 10:00 and 11:59 UTC, three different calendar dates are in use simultaneously on Earth. – For example, March 12 at 10:30 UTC, is 23:30 (11:30 pm) on March 11 in American Samoa (UTC−11), 06:30 (6:30 am) on March 12 in New York (UTC-4), and 00:30 (12:30 am) on March 13 in Kiritimati (UTC+14).
The International Date Line was sketched over 130 years ago and is the line that officially divides two different days on the calendar. The date becomes one day later when you move to the west from the International Date Line.
The IDL is used as a plot device in Jules Verne’s book Around the World in Eighty Days (1873). In the story, Phileas Fogg of London and his newly employed French valet Passepartout strive to move around the world in 80 days on a bet set by his friends at the Reform Club.
Ceremonies aboard ships to name a sailor’s or passenger’s first crossing of the Equator or of the International Date Line are a deep-rooted tradition.
The speaker said if we were still confused just look at the floor mats in the elevator and they will tell you what day it is. I do appreciate the crew changing these floor mats daily because I have gotten my days mixed up before while cruising.
We went to the Sea View pool area to have a pre-dinner drink. The sea view pool was as wavy as the Lido pool. I believe the crew knew something we didn’t because they were clearing the outside tables and stacking chairs much earlier than I have seen on this cruise. Could be we were in for some rougher weather. The waves were definitely getting higher as I needed a second Bonine and some ginger ale. First time this trip I’ve needed a double dose.
We had a table for two at dinner in another different section. Tonight’s dinner was a Culinary Council dinner. The executive chefs in the Holland America fleet choose an appetizer, main course, and dessert as their special offering. I had the zucchini bisque, coconut shrimp salad, and Chuck had a double order of the crab cakes. We each had the grilled halibut as our main course. Excellent meal.
The Dance Band had a night off, so we went to BB King. It was abnormally warm in there and the motion of the ship made it hard to dance. It was just getting to be too much, so we decided to skip the main stage show – a classically trained guitarist and go on to the room.
When we got back to the room we found a letter from Guest Services indicating that everyone would have to relinquish their passports on Sunday for the French Polynesian government. I hate giving up my passport but it does save time if the ship can handle the transaction instead of each person meeting with a Custom’s agent individually. We will get our passports back once we leave the islands.
So, when we woke up, yes, according to the elevator mat, today is Sunday. I’m glad we will pass back through the dateline to get our day back before we reach the islands. It would make for some confused people because we’d get our tours mixed up.
After a late breakfast in the Lido, it was kind of cloudy, so we decided to relax on the veranda in case of rain. Did sprinkle on us a little but it passed quickly.
While we were out there, we heard the alarm and the call for the medical emergency team. I hope someone has not had a stroke, heart attack, or any broken bone. The waves are still high and it is still difficult to maneuver the hallways. Would be really easy to fall in the shower if you are not holding to the safety bars.
Not sure what they will do if the emergency is very serious. I think we are in a spot that is too far from Hawaii to turn back and not far enough to French Polynesia to get there quickly. Don’t know if we could even dock in Kiribati given their limited medical resources.
I have seen videos of helicopter evacuations but luckily have never experienced one. Not even sure if a helicopter could reach us from anywhere. I always buy travel insurance with extra medical evacuation coverage just in case. But you have to remember that it could be a reimbursement. You’d need a credit card(s) with limits that could handle the upfront expenses.
I also found out it was 29 degrees and snowing back home so I checked in with our pet sitter. Yes, it was snowing but all is well. I am glad we have someone who is so reliable.
My goal today was to catch up on my blog posts from Hawaii. Didn’t work out so well. The Internet is still spotty. I can still read emails and save the blog narratives but getting any photos to upload is a non-starter. Guess I can’t expect any better from somewhere in the Pacific. I hope when we reach the islands, the satellite connection will be better.
Pool is still too rough for swimming so Chuck took the opportunity to play some three-card poker.
The Kona sail-away party was at 5:00. We could see rain in the distance and then a rainbow formed in the clouds. First rainbow I’ve seen this trip.
They were serving a special Mai Tai for the party, so I had to try one or maybe it was two. They were strong.
At dinner, we shared a table with a nice couple from San Diego. They sail mostly HAL and Celebrity since they usually only sail out of San Diego now. I asked a lot of questions about Celebrity as we might try that cruise line one day.
Chuck and I had the Brie appetizer. I had the shrimp salad and had crepes made with spinach and mushrooms as my main course. Chuck had the short ribs. I didn’t have to ask him if they were good as the only thing left on the plate were some bones. My crepes were excellent.
I ordered the baked pear for dessert. I thought it was going to be like a baked apple. Instead, it was a slice of pear pie. It was okay but I wouldn’t have ordered it if I had read the description instead of just the title.
We didn’t finish dinner until after 8:00. We had just enough time to catch the last 15 minutes of the Dance Band set and the first 15 minutes of the BB King Band before it was time to go the main stage.
The performer was Martin Beaumont, a comedian from England. He had several funny jokes and observations. Much better than the last comedian. Hope to catch his next show on the 15th.
Since we have left Hawaii, the Casino has reopened. We played some slots before calling it a night.
No need for an alarm this morning as it is the beginning of a few more sea days before we reach Raiatea, our first stop of the French Polynesian islands. We slept in and then had a late Lido breakfast.
We made it back to the gym for some weight training and then did 1.5 miles around the ship on the promenade.
I was having trouble loading my pictures to the Cloud so I thought going to the Crows Nest might give me a better connection. It didn’t. Just slow Internet today. I got spoiled with the fast connection in Hawaii. Because of satellite positions, we will have spotty Internet during times.
Waves were high today. Captain announced 8-to-9-foot swells and may be higher tonight – especially if we cannot avoid the harsh weather they have picked up on radar. Everyone is careening down the hallways like they are pinballs.
Chuck tried to swim in the Lido pool but the motion was too harsh for floating. Pool sloshing out of its boundaries. However, it was a sunny enough day to warrant eating salads outside and then relaxing on the verandah.
I was napping so hard that I almost missed the 3:00 presentation on the International Dateline – what it is and how it came to be.
Sail-away from Hilo was at 5:30. Even saw some whales spouting as we were leaving. Didn’t expect it in Hilo as the majority are found around Maui. We could see rain and lightning in the distance.
The Captain came on the PA system at 6:00 to announce that the COVID test results were in and all passengers and crew were healthy. A cheer went up. Not sure if we will have to have another test or not before this journey ends.
We also found out that Canada and the cruise industry have finalized their agreement regarding vaccination and testing requirements. So, it appears that our July cruise will be a go!
After the announcements, I wanted to get my sweater so we went back to the room and sat on the veranda. We spotted a whale surface not too far from the back of the ship. I was too slow for a picture.
At 7:00, we had a table for two and were seated in the same section. That is a first. I like these two waiters. All the waiters have been efficient but these two are also very friendly and chatty. I had the lettuce, seaweed, and edamame salad. If there was any seaweed in my salad, I couldn’t tell the difference between it and the other spring mix lettuce. We each had the beef stroganoff.
First time I have had a beef main course in the dining room. The waiter said it was the most ordered dish for the evening. I had the double chocolate cheesecake for dessert. It was so rich I had to share it with Chuck.
After dinner, we danced at the Dance Band venue. They are playing more contemporary songs than they do in the afternoons. More Eagles, less waltzes. As I mentioned, we like to watch people who can waltz, but we prefer to dance to other music. We went to the BB King show for a while until the show on the mainstage was set to begin.
The performers were 4 men called Jukebox Rogue and tonight they were doing a tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Chuck did not care for the performance and snuck out early. I liked it and stayed for the encore. I still love the song “My Eyes Adored You.”
After the show, Ian, the Cruise Director, was encouraging everyone to stay up and watch the scenic sail-by of the Kilauea Volcano. We were scheduled to go by it between 11 and midnight. Nope. Fool me once in 2018, not this time.
In 2018, I stayed up past midnight to watch volcanic activity. I had visions of seeing flames roar skyward and watching lava pour into the ocean like the Mississippi River. I was sorely disappointed. We were miles away from the activity, and my pictures of the event were these pitiful red dots:
Instead, we went back to the room and got our snorkeling gear prepped for our first snorkeling tour of this trip.
Room service breakfast was delivered at 6:45. We were at the meeting point in the mainstage at 7:45. Kona is a tender port so we all trooped down to the gangway when our tour number was called. The tender is large so there were several tour numbers called at the same time. We would separate into our particular tours when we reached the Kona dock landing.
The waves were rocking and rolling so it was an adventure getting onto the tender. As you made a big step from the ship platform to the tender, you had two crew members from the ship holding you until two crew members from the tender could grab you.
If you are short, the step is what you worry about. If you are tall, you worry about hitting your head on the top of the tender door as you make your way into the tender. I always hold my breath when I see people with canes and walkers negotiate the tenders, especially days like this one where the tenders are bobbing up and down so much.
Once the tender got us to the dock in Kona, the water was smooth so the process of getting off was easier. However, it was a steep climb up the ramp to the port area. Some people had to stop and rest before making it to the landing.
There were 24 people on this snorkeling tour. We had to walk a short distance to where our zodiacs were waiting. These were traditional rubber zodiacs where you sit on the side and hold on with ropes (like the example below). We had 12 people per zodiac. We were with Captain Eric and his crew member Tara. Eric said he was from Indiana but fell in love with Kona several years back and just stayed.
stock image
The name of this HAL tour is Captain Zodiac Rafting and Snorkeling Adventure. The tour description is:
If you have a little pirate in your heart, step aboard matey and explore the scenic Kona Coast by 24-foot Zodiac ocean raft in an intimate, small group format.
Your captain/naturalist will “talk story” about Hawaii’s history and the beautiful scenery on your 12-mile exploration of the coast.
Seek out pods of dolphins, sea turtles, (whales January through April only,) and other marine life along the way.
You’re headed to Kealakekua Bay — site of the Captain Cook Monument, accessible only by boat, and an area of unsurpassed importance in Hawaiian history.
Listen to snorkeling instructions (all gear is provided); then hop into the waters of the Kealakekua Bay Marine Preserve — home to hundreds of varieties of tropical fish and coral formations. Its calm, pristine waters make it a perfect snorkeling spot.
Enjoy a tropical snack of fresh local pineapple, fruit, chips, soft drinks, water, and cookies while the captain tells tales of Captain Cook’s encounters with the Hawaiians and the history of the bay.
Photo opportunities abound as you get close to the many lava formations, sea caves and blowholes of the coastline. This tour is full of fun, adventure, and education.
Notes:
Minimum age is 4 years. Maximum weight is 320 lbs. Ride will be bumpy. Waiver must be signed and medical conditions disclosed. Participants must be able to step from dock down into the zodiac. You will view the Captain Cook Monument from the boat only, as going ashore at Kealakekua Bay is strictly administered by National Park Service lottery and permit system. Wildlife sightings are likely but are not guaranteed.
We did this tour in 2018 and loved it so much I booked it again. This time, we spotted some whales which we did not in 2018. However, in 2018, we got a close-up look at spinner dolphins and today the dolphins did not come close.
When we arrived at Kealakekua Bay, sometimes referred to as Cook’s Cove, I noticed that the monument now had red paint smears which I did not remember from 2018.
The guide explained that some Hawaiians have not been happy about the monument. Hawaiians did not erect it – the Australian government did. They are especially annoyed that the inscription has in it “Cook discovered Hawaii” – conveniently forgetting that Polynesians have been there for hundreds of years.
Of course, I shouldn’t have been surprised. After all, this is where Cook died fighting the Hawaiians after trying to take the Chief hostage.
Our guide gave us the safety information and then asked if anyone was a first-time snorkeler. No. Did anyone need masks or snorkels? No. There were some of us that wanted to use their fins. He was really surprised that we all had our own gear.
There were several catamarans and other zodiacs at this location so a lot of people in the water. There was a lifeguard on a stand-up paddle board going back and forth across the Cove warning people about the shallow water. You do not want to cut yourself on the coral or get stuck by a something spiny while you are admiring the fish.
We were first to jump off the zodiac. The water was cold, but I had my neoprene shirt on, so I quickly adjusted. I was glad to see that the coral looked good. Some coral in the Caribbean doesn’t look so good. Too much damage from careless humans. And there were a lot of fish. I just love the yellow tangs. Saw a beautiful Angel fish also.
The current wasn’t bad swimming from the zodiac to the coral. The water got warmer as the water got shallower. That is, I hoped the water was warm because of the depth and not because of any person using it as a bathroom – eew. 😬
We drifted with the currents and then swam to different sections. We were fortunate that not too many people were swimming around us. Although one lady bumped Chuck’s leg and I could hear his muffled yelp as if a creature from the deep had gotten him.
Only real annoyance were the people in the kayaks going back and forth. You had to watch for them as they would run you over. Don’t know why people would bring kayaks into the shallow part. You can’t see anything unless you jump in. Most people in kayaks stayed out in the deeper parts hoping to spot dolphins. We did see a pod swimming out there.
After about an hour, we noticed people getting back into the zodiac so we swam toward it. Had a very short ladder to step on and then you had to pull yourself up with a rope hand over hand. Glad I have been going to the gym.
Once we were back seated in the zodiac, we realized we were last to get back on board. Our masks and gear did so well in the water today, we just didn’t want to get out. Sometimes, our masks fog up or the fins get loose but not today.
The captain and Tara had snacks and soft drinks ready for us. We headed back to the ship. Along the way, he stopped along the shoreline to show us ocean made caves that sometimes the water pressure in there is so great that it will form blow holes to let the water come surging up.
We saw some awesome blow holes on our tour in Maui in 2018. If you stand too close, the suction is so great that it can drag you into the blow hole when the water begins to recede. You might come back out when it blows out again, but you won’t be in one piece. Our guide that day wouldn’t let us get close at all. He said he got paid for how many people he brought back to the ship. 😁
The Captain also showed us old lava tubes that had formed when the Kona volcanoes erupted. He said they can stretch for miles from the volcanos to the ocean. We also got to see a rock formation that some people say looks like the Hawaiian goddess Pele.
Further down the coast, he showed us three very large houses that sit on the edge of the cliff. Under one, you can see a large cave that has formed under it. He said that the rumors are when the water rushes in, you can feel the vibrations in the house floor. He also said that if the cave ever does form a blow hole -the force of the water spewing up will tear the house apart. Location. Location. Location.
Back to the dock, back in the tender, back to the ship, and back to the Lido in time for a late lunch. The afternoon was dedicated to relaxing on the balcony after a great tour.
Travel Trivia
Kona, Hawaii
Kona is a moku or district on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Kona coffee is one of the most expensive coffees in the world. Only coffee from the Kona Districts can be described as “Kona”.
It is the location of the Ironman World Championship Triathlon which is held each year in October.
In the Hawaiian language, kona means leeward or dry side of the island.
The Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park in Kona marks the place where Captain James Cook was killed in 1779.
The region served as the basis of the Beach Boys’ song “Kona Coast” from their 1978 album M.I.U. Album.
*Travel triviaprovided by Wikipedia and Holland America documents.
Our sail-away from Maui was at 5:30. The DJ played music from the 80’s with drinks and appetizers being served. We even had some whales flapping their tails. Great sail-away.
We stayed there until time for dinner. We had a table for two in a different section again. I had the Hawaiian shrimp appetizer, roasted beet and pineapple salad, and Blue Marlin. I thought it tasted like the swordfish from the other night.
Chuck had the Polynesian short ribs. They were sliced very thin and had a nice soy and ginger flavor. We were surprised to see our favorite dessert on the menu – carrot cake – so we each got a slice. Glad they were small ones.
We went to the second set of the BB King Band. We now have a male and female singer like we did on the Rotterdam. They take turns with songs and sometimes will sing duets. Their back-up band is always good, especially the drummer.
I set the alarm today for 6:15 as I wanted to see the scenic sail-in to Hilo. Sun was rising as we were getting close. You could even seen a smoking volcano in the distance.
Looked to be a gorgeous day. Of course, a scenic sail-in is not complete without coffee and a HAL special powdered-sugar puff pastry. I was able to control myself long enough to get a picture and also remember to bring one back for Chuck.
Hilo has rain approximately 238 days a year. We were told to expect rain. It rained most of the day when we were here in 2018. Not today. Gorgeous, sunny day and very hot.
In 2018, we took an all-day tour to a waterfall, the volcano national park, a lava tube, an orchid farm, and a macadamia nut processing facility. Those are the most popular places in Hilo.
With the quiet ship and sunny humid weather, we decided to enjoy the hot tubs and sunshine while it lasted.
Travel Trivia
Hilo, (Island of Hawaii) Hawaii
Pronounced “Hee-low”
Hawaii Island, commonly referred to as the “Big Island,” is the largest island in the Hawaiian chain of islands of the state of Hawaii.
Hilo is one of the seven regions that make up “The Big Island“, along with the other six regions of Kona, Kohala Coast, North Kohala, Puna, Kauai, and the Hamakua Coast.
The Hilo region is known for its dramatic waterfalls, fertile rainforests and blooming gardens.
The world’s largest processor of macadamia seeds, the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation is headquartered just south of Hilo. The company was named after the Mauna Loa volcano and is a subsidiary of The Hershey Company. (Dark Chocolate covered macadamia nuts are so very very good! – just saying!)
The first inhabitants arrived in Hilo around 1100 A.D, coming from the Marquesas Islands. They brought Polynesian traditions and knowledge. It was on Captain Cook’s third voyage that he landed in Hawaii in 1778 (on Kaui), paving the way for an influx of westerners to the islands.
Hilo means “twist” in Hawaiian.
The town of Hilo overlooks Hilo Bay, situated between two shield volcanoes; Mauna Loa, an active volcano which last erupted in 1984. And Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano and the site of some of the world’s most important ground-based astronomical observatories.
Being the oldest city in the Hawaiian archipelago, Hilo has a significant tourism section. Hilo is home to Hawaii’s only tsunami museum, mostly dedicated to the understanding of the 1946 Pacific tsunami and is notable for all the banyan trees planted by Babe Ruth, Amelia Earhart, and many other famous celebrities.
*Trivia provided by Wikipedia and Holland America documents.
We relaxed after our tour on the veranda and then went to Sea View to watch the sunset over our last night in Honolulu. All aboard was not until 10:30 so I’m sure many people were taking sunset sailboat cruises or going to luaus.
Dinner was a table for the two of us. We each had the grilled pineapple spears and a Thai spring roll. Chuck had the Kalua pork, and I had the grilled swordfish which I had discovered I liked when we were on the Rotterdam this past December. The pork was a pulled pork Hawaiian dish. The waiter warned Chuck that he might find it dry. Chuck thought it was not dry at all but had a nice smokey flavor. We skipped dessert.
The BB King band had the night off. The Casino was closed because we are in port. Descendants (a 2011 movie starring George Clooney set in Hawaii) was playing on the main stage. We could have listened to the dueling piano players but I honestly don’t think they are that good. So, we decided to come back to the room and do some star gazing from the balcony.
The good news was that our latest bag of laundry was back. The bad news was that there was also a letter about another Covid test. This test is going to be PCR test, which is more sensitive and, from what I understand, might detect the presence of Covid from weeks ago. Don’t know why they would choose a test that sensitive.
I got up at 6:30 and made our coffee run at 7:00. I had a slight headache and realized that I had had no caffeine at all yesterday. I hoped it was a caffeine headache and not a sinus headache. After finishing my latte, my headache was gone. So, caffeine headache it was. I may have a problem. 😁
We are docked at the port of Kahului in Maui. It is an industrial port. In 2018, we were docked at Lahaina port. I seem to remember it being in a more scenic area. In 2018, we could see whales from the deck. Today, we see containers being loaded onto transfer trucks from a huge cargo ship.
We had a late breakfast in the Lido. Our whale watching tour, called Whale Watching Adventure by Zodiac, began at 12:00. The description of the HAL tour is:
A truly magical experience, this small-group whale-watch tour offers an up-close experience viewing humpback whales away from other tour boats.
Your tour begins with 45-minute motorcoach journey to Ma’alaea Harbor to board the sightseeing vessel. The exhilarating, fast-paced Zodiac travels along Maui’s scenic sea cliffs for a two-hour whale-watch experience. You may be lucky enough to see tail slaps, waving fins and awe-inspiring full body breaches. Your Zodiac allows for an intimate view of these gentle giants.
Seasoned guides educate guests about whale behavior and migration. Each boat is equipped with an onboard hydrophone to allow you to listen below the surface as whales communicate with each other and their newborn calves.
After the trip, a motorcoach will return you to the ship in Kahului.
It was a short bus ride to the launch area. The zodiac was a little more modern than other zodiacs I have ridden. This one had a cover and seats to sit on. Other ones I have ridden, you sit on the rubber sides of the zodiac and hold on to a rope. However, it was just as fast as the regular zodiacs.
The stock image below is similar to one we were in but ours was larger as it held 25 people plus a captain and a crew member.
The captain of our zodiac was a transplant from Indiana. He was very knowledgeable about whales and the area we were in. His crew member didn’t say much but he was quick to offer us soft drinks or water and could move over the rubber railings of the zodiac like a cat.
We took off and almost immediately saw mother humpback whales and their calves. We could see spouts, tails, pectoral slaps, humps, and breaches.
Mother HumpbackMother & Baby SpoutingBaby Slapping Water with Pectoral fin
Everyone was having a hard time with photos because of the glare from the water. I used both my phone (in a waterproof bag) and underwater Canon camera to try and get pictures. I am absolutely not qualified to be an action nature photographer. I also think my underwater camera is on its last leg. It seems like it is not reacting as fast as it used to when I click the button. Might be time for an upgrade.
My best shot – baby whale breaching
They put the hydrophone in the water and the sounds coming from the whales was truly amazing. He said the phone could pick up sounds from 5 miles away. Some of it really did sound like a humming or singing noise. Guide said scientists are still trying to figure out the meaning of the different sounds.
An example of the kind of sounds we heard
I don’t know if I would call this tour magical, but we had fun and did see whales.
We got back to the ship around 3:15 and went to the Lido for a snack. We were COVID tested at 4:00. We were not sent to our rooms this time. We should hear something about it tomorrow. Hoping for good news again. We don’t know if we will have to take any more tests or not. Will depend on what the French Polynesian authorities want.
Travel Trivia
Kahului (Island of Maui), Hawaii
Pronounced – “Käho͞oˈlo͞oē”
The island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at 727.2 square miles
The underwater valleys that once connected Maui, Molokaʻi, Lanaʻi and Kahoʻolawe are shallower than the surrounding ocean, providing shelter for an abundance of marine life — including the humpback whales. These whales migrate approximately 3,500 miles from Alaskan waters each autumn and spend the winter months mating and birthing in the warm waters off Maui, with most leaving by the end of April.
Each island in Hawaii has an official color and flower. Maui’s official color is pink and the flower is the Lokelani (aka Damask Rose). – pronounced “Low-Kay-Lah-Nee”
stock image
On November 26, 1778, explorer James Cook became the first European to see Maui. Cook never set foot on the island because he was unable to find a suitable landing. However, the first European to visit Maui was the French admiral Jean-François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse. He landed on the shores of what is now known as La Perouse Bay on May 29, 1786.
Maui has no billboards.
Founded in 1831, Maui’s Lahainaluna High School is the oldest school west of the Rocky Mountains and owned the first printing press in the western United States.
*Travel trivia provided by Wikipedia and Holland America documents.
The Dance Band had the evening off so we spent the pre-dinner hour enjoying the warm Sea View deck and watching the gorgeous sunset.
Dinner tonight was at a shared table of four other women. Three of the women we have shared a table before – two sisters from California and a solo traveler from Arizona. The other woman was from Oregon. She is traveling with a group but they didn’t want to eat in the dining room.
I had the shrimp and mango appetizer, the tomato and red bell pepper soup, and the Huli Huli chicken. It is a Hawaiian dish of bar-b-que’d chicken with a pineapple, soy, and ginger glaze. Really enjoyed it.
Chuck had the prime rib. He ordered medium but it looked medium rare. He didn’t finish it. I couldn’t look at it. I think he got one of the sister’s order. She had ordered medium rare and hers looked more cooked than his.
Sharing a table makes for some interesting conversations but your service is based on the slowest eater. They won’t serve the next course until everyone has finished their previous course. We didn’t finish dinner until after 8:00.
There was one show at 8:00 of Polynesian singers and dancers. If you don’t get there early, you are not going to get a seat. We saw the show in 2018 so we didn’t try tonight. We just called it a night. The laundry was back and they had taken our second bag.
One thing we did find out is that someone was taken off the ship by ambulance on Sunday. I hope it is nothing too serious and they were able to rejoin the ship before we set sail at 10:30 tonight.
I had filled out the breakfast card and hung it on our door. The breakfast was delivered promptly at 6:45 this morning. I tipped the delivery guy. You don’t have to but I usually do.
Our tour today was a HAL tour called “Explore and Taste Oahu’s North Shore.” The tour description is:
Enjoy the North Shore led by a guide who will provide interesting and fun information about Hawaii’s birds, plants, geology, geography, and history throughout your adventure.
From the cruise ship pier, you will drive to the Valley of the Temples.
Visit the picturesque Byodo Temple, located at the base of the stunning 2,000-foot lush green cliffs of the Koolau Mountain Range.
Travel north along the scenic shoreline past Chinaman’s Hat and Kahana Bay to Kahuku, home of the North Shore shrimp farms.
Stop for lunch to try some delicious locally-farmed garlic shrimp, fish or a chicken plate.
After lunch, a short drive will bring you to beautiful Sunset Beach, famous for towering surf during the winter months and hosts many international surf contests.
The picturesque Waimea Valley terminates at one of the world’s finest big-wave surfing beaches. Continue on to Haleiwa Beach Park — one of many surf breaks on the North Shore that make up a strip of what many surfers call “the seven-mile miracle”.
Passing through historical Haleiwa Town, watch for extensive views of Hawaii’s last pineapple fields enroute to the Dole Pineapple Plantation for a brief stop before returning directly to the cruise ship pier.
Our tour guide and bus driver was named Kella. He is a native of the North Shore and had a lot of interesting facts about the area as well as some funny family stories. He is one of 14 children and he and his wife have six children.
He said the high cost of living in Hawaii has driven many native-born Hawaiians to the mainland. For example, out of 312 in his high school graduating class, only 8 still remain in Hawaii. He said he and his children would like to move to the mainland but his wife refuses even though gas is $5 per gallon and milk is $11 per gallon.
Our first stop was a cemetery that is the home of the Byoda Temple. I noticed that on many of the graves there were food and beverages. I am used to the tradition of leaving flowers but this tradition was new to me.
The temple area was very tranquil. Chuck and I did make an offering to ring the sacred gong. It is made of brass and is over 6 ft tall and weighs over seven tons. It was cast in Osaka, Japan. The wooden log used to ring the bell is called a shumoku. The tones of the bell are said to clear your mind of negativity and to impart deep peace and bring happiness, blessings, and long life. Were very melodic tones.
They had a number of animals at the temple including several feral cats.
Our next stop was the Kualoa Ranch. It has been the site of over 80 movies for 40 years – most notably the Jurassic Park movies.
We walked across the street to view the ocean and the Chinaman’s Hat. Our guide said that during very low tide you can walk across to the island but you had better bring a surfboard or boogie board because the tide comes in quickly and you can be stranded.
Our third stop was the Polynesian Cultural Center and Market. Most of the stores weren’t open and neither was the Center. When it is open, it offers performances and displays of all types of Polynesians – Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand, etc. The Center and much of the land around it is owned by Brigham Young University. The students work at the Center and by the time they graduate, they have worked off their student loans.
Lunch was next at Fumi Shrimp Farm Roadside Café. Had our choice of types of shrimp. I had the regular shrimp and Chuck had the lemon pepper shrimp. They were huge shrimp and very tasty.
We also stopped at a fruit stand but we didn’t buy anything. We were holding out for the last stop – the Dole Plantation and its famous Dole Whip. The visitor center was packed with people and the line to get the whipped ice cream was very long. I thought we wouldn’t make it to the front of the line before we had to be back on the bus. But we were able to get that mouth-watering ice cream with huge chunks of pineapple sprinkled on top.
Dole does not export pineapple here anymore. However, pineapple is still grown for consumption on the islands. I just think the pineapple I have eaten here and on the ship is just so much sweeter and juicier than what we get back home.
On the way back to the port, we passed several North Shore beaches where surfing is king. However, today it was mostly low tide so the waves were not impressive. We saw swimmers and not surfers.
We got back to the ship around 3:00. All in all, it was an okay tour. I wish the waves would have been bigger as I would like to have seen some surfers catch some big waves and we could have skipped the Polynesian Center since it wasn’t open but other than that I am glad we went.
Travel Trivia
Honolulu, (Island of Oahu) Hawaii
The Honolulu Symphony, originally known as The Hawaii Symphony Orchestra was conceived in 1900, making it the second oldest in symphony orchestra in America.
Before Hawaii was annexed by the United States in 1898, Honolulu was occupied by the Russians, French, and British, on separate occasions.
Honolulu is the only city in the United States that is home to a royal palace.
The Iolani Palace got electric lighting four years before the White House did.
More than 100 beaches surround Honolulu, more than almost any other city in the world.
Honolulu has one of the largest concentrations of Buddhist temples in the Western world, with over 30 of them spread throughout the city.
Waikiki Beach brings in more than 70,000 tourists every single day.
Honolulu translates in English to “sheltered bay.”
Duke Kahanamoku is widely credited with taking surfing from a little-known Hawaiian pastime to an internationally known sport. He grew up in and around Waikiki, learning to surf and swim at Waikiki Beach.
*Trivia provided by Wikipedia and Holland America Information
Sea Day evening routine of drinks at Ocean’s Bar to listen to the Dance Band.
Then we changed things up a bit by going to Sea View deck and watching the Hawaiian ambassadors perform some songs and dances in tribute to the sunset. Back to the routine of playing some slots before our dinner time.
Dinner at 7:00 and our streak continues as we were seated in a new section again tonight. Chuck ordered two appetizers and the short ribs. I ordered the turnip and mango salad. I got a Caesar salad. Oh well. It gave me a chance to try an anchovy. Never thought I would like one so I have always ordered my Caesars without it. I was right. Not a fan.
I did; however, really like the carrot and coconut soup. I was a little apprehensive about it especially after the anchovy incident, but the soup was excellent. For my main course, I had the Pacific Cod. It was light and flaky. It was a very large piece so I gave some to Chuck.
The Captain had announced earlier that he would be turning the lights off on Deck 10 so not to disorient any birds flying around at night. He warned everyone to be careful if they were walking up there but he also said that it would be a perfect place for viewing the stars.
We made our way up there at 8:30 but the lights were still on. We did see the star gazing group along with the speaker from the other day. The lights diminished the stars somewhat but he was able to show us the Big and Little Dippers, Polaris, and Orion’s Belt.
We were going to watch the Step One Dance Company on the mainstage at 9:30 but Ian announced that the main stage was having technical difficulties so they were going to show the movie Aloha instead. We took a pass on the movie and went to the BB King band’s first set.
Afterwards, Chuck went to three card poker. I went back to Deck 10. The lights were out by now and the stars were amazingly bright. I loved how they were all twinkling and I could pick out the Belt and the Dippers again. However, it soon started to feel creepy because of how pitch black it was and not being able to see the deck path past a couple of feet in front of me. Add that to the whooshing of the ocean and I had sufficiently spooked myself. I went back inside.
Today I had the alarm get me up at 6:30 because I wanted to see us sail into Honolulu. The last time we were here in 2018, we got to Honolulu so early that I missed it. Today, we were not docking until 10:00.
I noticed on the bathroom floor what looked like wine had splashed all over it. I never heard Chuck come in so I had no idea what had happened. I looked for a broken glass but the glass was fine.
I went on to the balcony that stretches along the front of the gym above the bow of the ship. It’s a great view and a good place for pictures if you don’t mind the wind. I was the only one up there for a while. Only a few people joined me. Either people don’t know you can access this spot from the gym or they weren’t interested in the view or the wind.
After I got several pictures of us getting closer and closer to Honolulu, I stopped by the Crow’s Nest for our coffees. They were serving the HAL powdered sugar puff pastries. HAL makes these particular pastries any time there is a special sail-in such as today or the Panama Canal. Each special occasion has its own unique cream filling. Today it was pineapple cream.
The pastries are very big. I thought about getting a picture or taking it back and sharing it with Chuck and then realized I was swallowing the last bite of it. Mmmm…so good.
If not sharing the pastry wasn’t bad enough, when I did hand Chuck his coffee, I somehow hooked the lid and it flipped off and coffee splashed on both our hands/arms. It was hot but luckily not scalding. Now we have coffee and wine stains on the floor. Tried cleaning it up best I could with tissues. The stewards are going to wonder what type of pigs they are dealing with in here.
Chuck said as he was putting the wine glass down last night, the ship lurched and it sloshed out of his glass all over the floor. That is his story and he is sticking to it.
After the coffee debacle, we went to the dining room for a leisurely breakfast. We were docked but the ship had not yet been cleared for passengers to come ashore. We watched the Coast Guard, complete with gunner at the ready with a mounted machine gun and the blue light flashing, come speeding up behind us. Idled there like they were taking down our license plate. Maybe someone didn’t pay his or her bar tab. They then sped off to around the side of the ship. Came back and then sped off again. I think they were just showing off to us old folks.
The Cruise Director announced a little after ten that the ship was cleared and all passengers could disembark at their leisure. We were docked at an industrial terminal right in the middle of the Business District.
We walked off the ship and were presented with the traditional Leis. Once we exited the terminal building where they didn’t check our health QR codes like the paperwork said they would, we were free to explore Honolulu.
When we were here in 2018, we hiked Diamond Head, snorkeled off Waikiki Beach, and visited the Aquarium.
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Today, we went to Walmart.
We realized a few days ago that we were going to possibly run out of some of our essentials (a girl needs her hair products) and Honolulu would be the best place to restock. I googled stores and discovered that there was a Walmart only three-fourths of a mile from the dock. It was a pleasant walk there and back. In addition to the items, we had on the list, we purchased a couple of rolls of paper towels in case of any more mishaps.
After lunch at the salad bar, we had thought about walking back to Aloha Tower. Its observation tower is supposed to provide a spectacular view of Honolulu. The website said it was open today but some passengers who had walked down there said it was closed. I tried calling but only got a recording. We just decided to take advantage of an empty ship and enjoy the hot tubs and our choice of deck chairs.
Last night, the rain cleared off in time for the sunset, even though it was still obscured by some clouds. The Dance Band wasn’t playing today so we enjoyed pre-dinner drinks at the Sea View bar. Still breezy but the temperatures are definitely going up.
We had to go back to Guest Services for another incorrect charge. Someone charged some distilled water to the room. It wasn’t us. We don’t have any need for distilled water which is usually ordered for oxygen or CPAP machines. They credited the charge about an hour later. Wonder if they were able to get the right room number. Easy to transpose room numbers.
Played a few slots before dinner. At dinner, we sat with two sisters from California and a couple from Chicago. Nice conversations. Chuck and I each had the mini shrimp taco as an appetizer, he had soup and I had a salad, and then he had the salmon and I had eggplant and zucchini with couscous. Neither of us had dessert.
We went to the BB King Band’s first set – all Disco. Played songs that reminded me of my freshman year at WKU. Good times. We stayed for part of their second set but then left to get a seat at the 9:30 show on the mainstage – Strings Alive.
They are a couple from Australia who play piano, violin, and piano. It was very high energy. Played everything from Irish folk tunes to Guns and Roses’ Sweet Child of Mine. We had missed their show earlier in the week so I was glad we were able to attend tonight’s performance.
Afterwards, Chuck went for some three card poker and I detoured up to the Lido for some hot tea and a slice of strawberry cheesecake.
However, the best thing about the night was not the show or the cheesecake. It was the hot shower I was able to take. The maintenance fixed whatever the problem was. Yay! Small victories.
Woke up today to beautiful blue skies and even warmer temperatures. First time since California that I have enjoyed drinking my Latte on the veranda.
Chuck decided to sleep in so I went up to the Lido for some breakfast and to enjoy the sun on the Sea View Deck. Was still a little breezy so I returned to our veranda where the side panels and plexiglass railing block some of the breeze.
First thing I noticed was that one panel that separates the verandas was swinging loose. When I investigated, I noticed that its mate on the other side of our neighbor’s veranda was also swinging loose. Weird. I know you can request that the panels come down between cabins for an extended balcony but you typically only do not do that when your neighbors are strangers.
Then, as I was sitting there, I got some sprinkles. Okay, weird again. Next, I heard whooshing sounds and started seeing water come pouring from the right and making its way through our balcony and on to the left. I didn’t have a good feeling about any of it so I went inside. Next, water came pouring from above onto our deck. Had I still been there, I would have been soaked.
Either they were washing windows or balconies or both above us. Either way, you typically get a note in your room to be aware of the cleaning. We didn’t get any warning. I just got lucky.
I went to the 11:00 lecture on “Hawaiian Wildlife” by the Naturalist. He is such a knowledgeable young man.
He had some great videos of spinner dolphins and of him diving with whales. He told us some interesting facts about the wildlife we might see –
Butterfly fish – only fish species known to be monogamous
Yellow Tang – Have white dots on tails that can be deployed as spikes to cut the mouth of any predator fish tries to eat them.
Wrasse fish – Tiny fish popular with the other fish because they clean algae and other gunk off the scales, gills, and mouths of bigger fish.
Parrotfish – Nibble on coral. Digested coral becomes sand that they poop out. One large parrot fish can poop 900 pounds of sand in a life time. (Think about that the next time you are relaxing on a white sandy beach).
Moray eels – Have two jaws. If a bait fish comes near the large jaw, a small jaw is deployed grabbing the fish and dragging it into the big jaw. Was the model of the creatures in the Alien movies.
Octopus – Have the ability to solve puzzles. They can also escape through any opening as long as the opening is slightly bigger than their eye.
Flying fish – Glide over the water up to 200 meters (appr. 650 feet) to escape the underwater predators. Unfortunately, they forget about the birds who are circling waiting to grab one as it breaches the water. It’s hard to be an ocean bait fish.
Spinner dolphins – Can leap out of the water and do up to 7 complete rotations before splashing back into the ocean.
Sea turtles – the males have long tails, the females have short stubby tails.
He told us that later on in the trip he has recordings of whale sounds that he will share. I look forward to that presentation.
Lunch was at the Lido again. Didn’t make it to the salad bar today. The line was very long. Typically there were two salad bar stations but one station today was a create your own taco bar. Since HAL doesn’t let you handle your own food, it was so going as people were telling the servers what to include in their tacos. I skipped it and went for the pizza.
Chuck and I attended the 2:30 Cruise Critic Meet and Greet. Cruise Critic is a website about cruising. One of the features is the roll call. If you are going on a particular cruise, you can search to see if someone has started a roll call for it. On it, you can discuss topics such as private shore excursions, find people who share similar interests ex. Bridge players, knitters, etc.
If there is enough interest, once you get on the cruise you can go to a meet and greet and match names with faces of the people you have been chatting with online. We went mainly today to pay the organizer of our snorkeling tour in Fakarava. Today’s get together was held in the Crow’s Nest and was very well attended.
However, it lasted so long I missed the lecture on the Tropic of Capricorn. Maybe it will play on the room TV. Sometimes the ship will record and do that.
Travel Trivia
Hawaiian Islands – The State of Hawaii – The Aloha State
The state of Hawaii consists of eight main islands: Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kaho’olawe and the Big Island of Hawaii.
Hawaii became the 50th state on August 21, 1959.
There are only 12 letters in the Hawaiian alphabet.
Vowels: A, E, I, O, U
Consonants: H, K, L, M, N, P, W
From east to west Hawaii is the widest state in the United States.
The Hawaiian Islands are the projecting-above-the-ocean-tops of the biggest mountain range in the world.
Hawaii has its own time zone known as Hawaiian Standard Time. Hawaii has no daylight savings time. The time runs two hours behind Pacific Standard Time and five hours behind Eastern Standard Time.
Due to volcanic eruptions, the landmass of Hawaii is constantly growing.
This state is the only one in the U.S. that grows coffee, vanilla beans, and cacao commercially.
The Hawaii state flower is the yellow hibiscus.
*Trivia provided by Wikipedia and Holland America documents
