Hawaii, episode 10. In which we explore the life aquatic.

On the flip side of the Big Island of Hawaii, Mari and I chose to do a little (not so) deep sea exploration when we arrived in Kona on Wednesday. As I have previously mentioned and alluded to heavily throughout our "adventurous" travel tales of fleamarketing, filming, and photographing, we aren't exactly ardent explorers in the physical sense. Scuba and snorkel shenanigans are not our wheelhouse.

While Mari has experienced the (insane) thrill of a tandem skydive (remember, I was waiting back on terra firma (the firma the better) with video camera and insurance policy close at hand), she has yet to wheedle me onto a helicopter tour although I will admit I have been tempted by the immense beauty of natural wonders during our travels. A twin-engine flight over the Hoover Dam to the Grand Canyon skywalk is probably my most adventurous vacation stunt, if you don't count braving the elevator to our 22nd floor Rainbow Tower room in Waikiki.


There are several helicopter tours in the shore excursion offerings during NCL's Hawaiian cruise and I am sure the views are spectacular, but that's just not for me. Among the week's gerundial offerings are canoeing, zip-lining, parasailing, kayaking, horseback-riding, and waterfall-walking not to mention biking and hiking.

With apologies to Mari, we settled on an excursion that took us in the opposite direction of her much-wished-for helicopter tour, a submarine exploration of the surf near our port of Kona. In fact, you can see our ship in the background of the Atlantis sub.

While there was no tour bus that Wednesday morning to take us to our destination, the location of the port and the size of our ship forced us to travel ashore via tender boat. There are occasions when your cruise ship will be unable to dock in port for an easy walk-off disembarkation and in these instances you will board a small boat that usually accommodates between 50 and 100 passengers and you will be safely whisked away to port. That's a tender at right, below our Atlantis submarine.

At right is one of the best views Mari was able to capture that morning. The incredibly clear crystal blue waters of Kealakekua Bay allowed stunning views of the extensive coral reef along the shore.

The sub excursion was a fun learning experience, but it was no substitute for a deep sea scuba exploration or even a casual snorkel. Despite diving 100 meters below the surface, we didn't see many exotic tropical fish, but we did have wonderfully clear views through the large windows surrounding the tourist sub's perimeter.

That Wednesday was also the designated day for my one and only (at the time) authentic aloha shirt (purchased for all of $10 at the Aloha Stadium flea). To this day, it is probably my favorite shirt. I'll have to go back and see how often it has made a blog appearance before I retire it from our travels, but I think it would look amazing in front of the Sydney Opera House, right? Just saying. Until then, it will likely live on.

Not for nothin' but if you've ever cruised, then you have probably met our little friends here, or some of their terry-sculpted kin. For some odd reason, these origami offerings are commonly encountered on cruises and we have often been delighted and amazed at the artistry displayed by cruise staff during turndown service. Our snuggling swans have been betrothed with both Mari's homemade lei and my souvenir shell lei purchased during our excursion to Hana.

I'll model that a little better for you next time as we finish up our first cruise with some simply spectacular views.

Hawaii, episode 9. In which we blow off some steam.

About five weeks before our recent revisit, the tropically calm and peaceful Big Island of Hawaii had other plans as Kilauea began erupting a prolonged eruption that would last just over three months. Our photo above (thank you, fellow cruisers from Washington, DC) is from our Big Island shore excursion back on July 6, 2010. That Tuesday saw us up early and headed onto our tour bus that would first take us to Volcanoes National Park where we would see the beauty and massive power of both Kilauea and Mauna Loa.

 

 

The natural landscape at this national park is unlike any other and appears almost other-worldly. Surrounding the volcanoes, though, among the ever-growing ash heaps are verdant signs of life that struggle constantly to break through the dried lava. If there's one valuable lesson I learned from my film-favorite lovably romantic recycler, Wall-E, it's that green is gonna grow no matter what.

I also learned that I'm a sucker for cinematic romance in whatever futuristic form it may take, even if it is computer-animated.

We made several stops throughout Volcanoes National Park that morning, and even though I was on vacation, nothing was more educational to me than seeing our amazing planet at work.

Another stop allowed us to explore the depths of a lava tube. At left I am about to walk into the tunnel that was long ago created by molten lava escaping an eruption. Below, I have been caught once again by Mari in my best auteur pose documenting our location. As I've mentioned previously, there has been a cleverly-crafted iMovie for each of our journeys since that first 40th birthday visit to London. I enjoy revisiting and reliving our travels while editing video footage even if Mari and (sometimes) Mamita are my only audience.

Mari and I did our best to include Mother Nature in our selfie here.

Be sure to visit the park site in advance of your visit.

nps.gov/havo/index.htm

Our shore excursion to the national park was a memorable and vivid learning experience and I am ever grateful for the opportunity to visit. It occurs to me now that I should probably take this blogportunity to brief you about shore excursions.

Since this would be our first cruise, the entire week-long Hawaiian islands tour served as a valuable learning experience for us and would prompt our interest in further cruise vacations. We learned a lot that week both on and off the ship.

When you book a cruise you are mostly just selecting your cabin and sailing date. Most everything else you need aboard ship will be included. There are exceptions, of course, like special meals, sugary beverages, and service fees so be diligent about reading brochures, exploring websites, and making phone calls to clarify exactly what is included in the cost of your cruise. When you dock in a new port it is exactly like traveling to a new city with completely new experiences available to you, should you decide to leave the ship for the day. Of course, you are welcome to stay aboard and enjoy all the pampering and relaxing you can stand, but should you decide to explore the local port, you will want to take advantage of shore excursions the cruise line has selected for you in advance.

Once you have selected a cruise on the NCL site, for example, you can click the "Things To Do" tab, then select the port, and you will be offered a selection of excursions available the day you will be in port. Helpful information such as a tour description, cost, and activity (or non-activity) level is available to help you make the most of your day ashore.

I find passenger reviews especially helpful and am always quick to post my own following our return home. Typically, Mari and I have wanted to take advantage of organized tours with local guides so we can see the most in our limited amount of tourist time. Other times, like a glorious July day in 2013, we decided to hoof it on our own in Mykonos once we hit the beach and spent an amazing day exploring the Aegean isle. Best baklava ever! We also like to look for excursions that allow for some free time after a guided tour, like another giorno glorioso we spent on that Mediterranean cruise shopping (and eating) Florence.

There are always a wide variety of offerings to satisfy anyone from casual cruisers to ardent adventurers. As for me and Mari, I would classify us as ardently casual. Regardless of your vacation activity level predilections, you would be wise, especially on a large cruise, to research excursions in advance and reserve your selections early to ensure availability.

You also have the option of paying for excursions in advance of your cruise to help you stay on budget during your travels. Otherwise, you may be faced with a sticker-shocked departure as you pay your final balance at disembarkation. As you might have expected, I like to plan and prepay whenever possible. On our last few cruises with NCL, Mari and I have found all our shore excursion tickets awaiting us in our cabin when we arrived. In Copenhagen last year, we were also greeted with a waiting bottle of bubbly to help us celebrate our anniversary. Although we have cruised with one other line, Mari and I favor NCL for their consistent (and effervescent!) commitment to customer service.

On the typically (very) early morning of your excursion, you will make your way to the ship's theater and wait for your tour to be called, then you will disembark and walk to your tour bus.

One last bit of advice: be on time. Have respect for your fellow passengers and especially for the dedicated staff aboard your ship and with the local tour company who have painstakingly planned your very full day.

On the Big Island of Hawaii that July Tuesday, Mari and I would also visit Akatsuka Orchid Gardens where these amazing live orchid plants were on display and available for sale. A living natural museum, the Gardens showroom brims with color and heavenly scents. My photos are but a pale sampling of the vibrant and lush tropical offerings. Most of the plants were priced very reasonably about twenty dollars, but I deemed the rare $500 orchid above worth a priceless photo of her own.

Be sure to visit the colorful site for your own tropical tour and to learn about the many mail-order offerings. An engagingly educational blog is also available.

akatsukaorchid.com

Here, Mari is modeling her own handcrafted creation. Mari took advantage of hula and lei-making classes aboard NCL's Pride of America, some of the many planned activities aboard ship. I was likely in the ship's library or soaking up a beach read out on deck.

We stay on the Big Island, but go cuckoo for Kona next time.

Hawaii, episode 8. In which we are hui pu with nature.

Now that I see the above photo again after eight years, it reminds me so much of our more recent (2017) souvenir photo from one of the black sand beaches in Iceland.

FYI, my pineapple shirt did not make the Iceland voyage, although one of my Aloha Stadium Flea favorites did make aloha appearances during our European travels last summer.

Gotta spread the aloha love.

Although oceans apart, these black sand beaches remain for us a reminder of how small a world this pale blue dot can actually be and the six thousand miles (and seven years) separating these photos but a moment in my history. Like that day tour in Iceland, Mari and I would spend our second Maui day exploring the abundant beauty of nature with a welcome overabundance of natural green and blue hues leading the way.

Our second shore excursion in Maui was another full-day adventure which consisted largely of a coastal drive along the very definition of a long and winding road hugging the north shore of Maui fifty miles from our port in Kahului to the easternmost point of the island at Hana.

In case you are wondering, yes, those are surf boards on my shirt.

The Road to Hana is without a doubt one of the most scenic shore excursions offered to NCL cruisers. Even though you are in the capable driving hands of an expert local guide, the drive itself is not for the faint of heart. I have already talked about being from hearty seafaring stock, but if you are prone to landlubbing motion sickness as well, you would do well to avoid the eight-hour long round trip road trip which will bounce you along the narrow but heavenly-viewable shore-hugging route.

Here's a good view of the route you will follow at an island-steady 30 MPH whether you are safely ensconced in a 15-passenger tour van like we were or in your own island rental.

Twists and turns (and turns and twists) and single-lane bridges abound, but the view's the thing and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to ogle tropical views instead of driving warily through them. As much as I enjoy a picturesque driving adventure, there's nothing like sitting back and soaking up the landscape.

Besides, there was a refreshing stop at a local winery along the return route and there would be some local (pineapple wine, of course) refreshment to enjoy as well.

Our heavenly Maui road trip was heavily laden with frequent but brief stops for souvenir photos at lush waterfalls, rainforests, state parks, and beaches. We almost lost Mari (and my new digital camera) to the slippery surrounds of the waterfall she snapped here, so it is definitely a priceless photo.

I thought I would let the photos (and views) do the talking today, so sit right back and you'll see the tale of our island tour unfold.

See ya on the flip side...

Aloha, once again.

If you've been following along (completely engrossed, of course) for the last few years, you realize that this laid-back, let-someone-else-do-the-driving, join-a-tour-group attitude is not really my thing.

No reservations?
No fleamarkets?
No souvenirs?

Okay, there would actually be souvenir shell leis purchased from a local crafter at the perilously photographed falls, but there was no itineraried shopping during our Maui day.

Island life got the better of me, I guess, and somehow managed to make me forget the things I always try too hard to remember.

Mari caught me above in my best auteur pose filming the surf.

Once again, Mari's (lava-sanded) toes are giving you their best high-fives until we meet again to hang ten.

A Big Island aloha next time.

Hawaii, episode 7. In which we set a course for adventure.

I know.

I have a history with my pineapple shirt.

It began back in the summer of 2010 when it became an essential part of my cruise wardrobe.

Norwegian Cruise Line's seven-day round-trip Honolulu cruise was our first cruise adventure and our first return to Hawaii in six years and I made the now questionable decision to pack only (mainland interpretations of) aloha shirts.

When we disembarked the Pride of America a week later, Mari and I hightailed it to Aloha Stadium where my long-awaited and propitiously-planned-for souvenir quilt awaited transport in my empty suitcase-within-a-suitcase.

I also made it a point to buy two authentic (non-fruited) aloha shirts with official "Made in Hawaii" labels as colorful as the cotton to which they had been sewn. Like my favorite L.L.Bean Kelly green polo that I retired from my wardrobe after it appeared in too many of our Irish souvenir photos, my pineapple dappled Old Navy classic is due for a visit to long-term storage.

Mari and I had returned to Hawaii on our own this time because we absolutely fell in love with the Aloha State despite our limited experiences during Mari's previous (committee subsidized) visit in 2004.

2010 would also mark a marriage milestone and we thought a return trip to Hawaii and a first ever cruise would be a perfect way to celebrate 20 years of marriage.

How lucky am I?

We learned (and loved) a lot during that first cruise and I hope to continue sharing with you some practical and fun travel tips so you will be ready for your own cruise adventure.

Let's start with that suitcase-within-a-suitcase schlepped to paradise from the farthest reaches of the Lone Star State.

When you cruise, your luggage is tagged and deposited prior to boarding in a process similar to most airport check-ins. Baggage claim, however, is carousel-free delivery to your cabin a few hours later.

In the meantime, NCL guests are invited to explore the sprawling ship, enjoy a bountiful lunch, and entertain ourselves as only Norwegians can.

While many many amenities of our floating resort impressed me on that first afternoon, it wasn't the pools, the spa, the shops, the theater, the restaurants, or even the grandest of grand staircases that made this bookworm blush so much as the ship's library.

There was a library on board!

Somehow, in all of my research and travel planning I had missed that bit of (essential) information. (The subject of my gush appears in the top two photos above left.)

Approximately two weeks before stepping foot on our first cruise, I had successfully interviewed for my one and only library position, having just completed the school librarian certification process after serving as a classroom teacher for twenty-one years. In addition to celebrating our wedding anniversary, the cruise had become a much bigger celebration as well as a fitting reward for my ever supportive wife.

The surprise library was a little sign for me that I was sailing in the right direction.

As Pride pulled away from Honolulu harbor (Ke Awa O Kou if you're feeling the island love) that July 3rd evening, Mari and I sat out on deck and enjoyed the show with our fellow shipmates. We hardly noticed when the ship started pulling away from port and it wasn't until the fireworks began that we fully appreciated our buoyant berth. The following morning we woke up in Maui where I donned my pineappled pal for the first of two days that week (vacation laundry algebra was at work) and we made our way aft to the ship's theater where we awaited our tour bus departure. Waking up in a new city in the same hotel room was a new experience for us and one which we find more and more irresistible the further we sail from home.

There are no "at sea" days during Pride of America's (sorta) circumnavigation of the Hawaiian islands which means you will wake up each morning in port and not in the middle of the ocean. Our first port of call that Monday was Kahului on the island of Maui.

I snapped the two photos here shortly after arrival that Sunday morning while still aboard.

We would have two days in port, so Mari and I had chosen two full-day shore excursions. Our first would be a colorful and postcard-perfect day trip to the resort town of Lahaina on Maui's west coast. After a relaxing and educational (thanks to the generous and colorful narration of our local tour guide) drive through tropical plantations, Mari and I wandered the colorful village which reminded us both of colorful coastal villages in Maine (except maybe for the palm trees) that we had explored on our honeymoon back in 1990.

After a full afternoon of strolling souvenir-shop-lined streets and refueling with awesomely fresh seafood, we decided to take a little shave ice break and sit along the shore (pictured below the ship's library). Those are Mari's pedicured piggies high-fiving the surf below, by the way.

Apricot Shimmer is so not my color.

We exchanged cameras with fellow travelers (not named Gulliver) for our souvenir photo above under the Brobdingnagian banyan tree in the park in the center of town before heading back to the tour bus that would return us safely "home."

More Maui (and Mari!) and more island hopping next time.