Video links below.
It was quite the trip. We were late to the airport. Got through TSA and to the plane during mid board (no early help getting to our seats before anyone else) TSA forgot to give Sue her cane back so it was a VERY BAD start. We didn't have the time I wanted to charge all the Oxygen concentrators batteries. We managed. Thankfully the 787 has power outlets at each seat.
The plane to Hawaii after us hit bad turbulence and people were injured. So, we did luck out there.
Hate Honolulu airport with a passion. Crappy design and signage.
Got to the ship later, but that meant no lines, so yeah, we missed muster, but, no lines!
Settled in.
Monday 19, Went to Maui. Excursion was bus trip to other side of Island. Sue wanted to
see largest Banyan tree in Hawaii, checked that off. Storm came up and
lightning hit a ship in port a few hundred yards from us. Torrential
rain, high winds. But we got around. Had lunch at Cheeseburger in
Paradise. I had a Cheeseburger in Paradise. Sue got some Dole Whip
(turned out the ONLY one she was able to get). Got back on the bus and
to the ship. Next day there was a brief window of good weather and we
went into town to Christmas shop. Then back on the Ship.
Tuesday 20, Went to Hilo. Took Bus excursion and saw beautiful gardens and waterfalls. A really great day.
Wednesday
21. Suppose to go to Kona, but storms damaged the dock the Tenders
would have used, which also cancelled our Glass Bottom Boat trip. So
instead the ship sailed around islands and we got to see a Humpback
Whale pod. Was a big hit! I even got a video of a whale fully
breaching.
Thursday 22, Went to Kauai. We went into town had a
picnic lunch by the beach. In PM went to a plantation and rode a
Plantation Train, then the Luau. Disappointing food. Our local Ono
Hawaiian was LOTS better. But the show afterwards made up for it, was
spectacular.
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Friday 23. Went to the beach again, Sue got some
beach time, I tried to go snorkeling but saw nothing except sand and
rocks. Then I started having breathing issues with the snorkel, not
getting enough air, so, that was that. We got back to the ship before
the next rain storm showed up.
Saturday 24. Back to Honolulu,
Our flight was not until 11:30PM so we rented a car and went to the swap
meet marketplace at the Hula Bowl stadium. Did a LOT more Christmas
shopping. Great cheap local food. Good time. Then drove down to
Waikiki Beach, half way up Diamond Head, circled a park three times to
find parking for a Waikiki beach shack restaurant. Glad we did, some of
the best food on the trip, live music, and a killer sunset. I had
really bad time trying to get back to the Rental office at the airport.
(see above opinion on Honolulu airport.), TSA was not too bad. We waited for the
flight and had enough time to charge all the batteries. Was a full plane
this time but not a bad flight.
Got back in PHX about 7:00 AM picked up car, went home and crashed for awhile.
All in all a great adventure. Enough challenges to keep things interesting.
VIDEOS
Departing Honolulu
In Hilo
At Sea
In Kauai
Back in Honolulu
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