Departing from Honolulu at sunset |
Rainbow on our first morning in Maui |
We flew from Raleigh to Dallas-Fort Worth and then to Honolulu
on the island of Oahu and went directly to the ship, the Norwegian Cruise Line Pride of America.
The ship is a fairly large one able to carry over 2,000 passengers. We were
treated to a beautiful sunset as we left the harbor that set the tone for the
trip.
Bill, Boyd, Susie and Loretta stop on the Road to Hana |
Our first stop was the island of Maui. We ran into another
couple on our way off the ship and they invited us to rent a car with them. We
agreed and they drove us on the Road to Hana which Jim had done on a previous visit to Maui. It is a very winding road, with lots
of single-lane bridges, which hugs the coast line of Maui. There were plenty of
places to stop along the way and see vegetation and waterfalls, though many of
them were dry during this time of year. We saw black-sand beaches, plants that
we were unable to identify, and gorgeous ocean views.
Akaka Falls |
The second day in Maui, I took an excursion and rode a bike down
Haleakala. My Strava data
indicates that it was all downhill and I only burned 67 calories during the
45-minute ride! There were stops to take pictures and lots to see,
however, including a lavender farm. Susie and her folks visited the port while I
was cycling and had fun making leis out of the local kukui nuts.
Secluded cove near Hilo, Hawaii |
Next stop was Hilo, Hawaii (commonly just referred to as the
Big Island). We rented a car and drove up
the coast to Akaka
Falls which are over 400 feet tall. Along the way, we stopped on a 4-mile
section of road designated as scenic. (Anything that is considered worth noting
as scenic in Hawaii is not to be missed!) From the top of the trail, we were
able to see sea turtles swimming in the ocean. Then, as we followed the trail,
it felt like we were descending down into a jungle as the plants grew denser
and things grew darker. At the bottom of the trail, there was a burst of
light and a magnificent little cove with splashing waves.
Steam rising from Halemaumau Crater |
In the afternoon we drove the other direction from the ship to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
There we saw steam rising from Halemaumau Crater in the
Kileuea’s caldera and went through a lava tube that at one time had been a path
for lava flowing from the volcano. That evening, as the ship sailed to the other side of
Hawaii, it passed by a lava fall. Sadly, none of our photos
worked out due to the darkness and the movement of the ship, but it was amazing
to see in person.
The next day we docked at Kona, Hawaii. This time we
tried hiring a driver to take us around. We saw Kona coffee beans growing and
being made into what we think of as coffee beans. We went snorkeling in multiple
places and saw lots of fish. Susie even managed to step on a sea urchin and get
some of its spines in her foot. Ouch!
The next day we docked at the island of Kauai. We felt this
was the most beautiful of the islands, though they was not an easy call. We
again rented a car and drove first to Waimea Canyon which is sometimes called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. At only 10 miles long, that is definitely an exaggeration,
but it is as much as 3,000 feet deep, so it promised to be spectacular. As we
drove up to the top, however, we ran into denser and denser clouds and finally
rain. We were not able to see the deepest parts of the canyon, but were still able to
see some spectacular vistas once we got below the clouds on the drive back
down.
Hawaiian Monk Seal at the beach at Po'ipu |
We next visited the beach at Po’ipu for some more
snorkeling. We did not notice until after the snorkeling that there was a large
Hawaiian monk seal napping on the beach. At over 500 pounds with warning signs
to leave it be, it is hard to believe we did not see it! Just when people were
starting to ask if it was alive, in stretched, brushed its face with its
flipper, rolled over, snorted, and continued to nap. In the evening, we went to a luau.
We enjoyed the food (except for the poi) and the dance/production afterwards.
Na Pali Coast from the ship |
The next day, we drove the other way around Kauai. By now, we
were somewhat used to all of the beauty and though we had a pleasant drive to Hanalei Bay with nice photo
opportunities, we felt it was not up to previous drives. That evening, however,
the ship made a trip past where the road was able to go and we saw the stunning
Na
Pali Coast from ship. The Na Pali Coast is only accessible by sea, air, or
foot and the views from the ship were the most beautiful that I have ever seen.
Battleship Missouri at Pearl Harbor |
The ship returned overnight to Oahu where it started. We
took a bus excursion to Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, and some of the surrounding
area. The memorials and exhibits at Pearl Harbor were informative and moving. I
am always humbled by the sacrifices that so many people have made to ensure the freedom I enjoy.
We then took our red-eye flight to Dallas-Fort Worth and
finally back to Raleigh. It was a wonderful and memorable trip. And, though it
was less relaxing than I had hoped, I finished three books and got close on a
couple more.
Great description of a wonderful trip- what a gift to have seen so many of our Creator's creations!
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