Island Hopping Day 12: Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Bora Bora!  Y’all we have arrived in paradise!  All I can say is what you see in the photos is actually what it looks like.  I am taking a tour around the entire island today . . . it is only about 20 miles to circle the entire island!  I saw someone say to rent a bike and do it but not that adventurous yet.  First stop was Matira Beach.  So blue . . . so clear . . . so quickly we had to leave!

And then you turn around to go back to the bus and this is the view across the street from the beach.  No matter where you look it is beautiful.

Our tour guide was full of great information.  I found it interesting that when women are in the 8^th month of pregnancy they must leave the island as they are not allowed to give birth on the island because there is no hospital.  There is a midwife for emergencies.  So this means that no one (or very few) are actually born on the island of Bora Bora.  I sometimes found myself not listening to the guide and gazing at the views.   

We pulled over to the side of the road and the guide threw out some red hibiscus flowers.  We were all a bit puzzled but in no time the tupa crabs came out and started eating the hibachis flowers and dragging back to their holes.  It was funny.

 

While it was not a super exciting excursion, the guide was excellent and gave good information about the island of Bora Bora and the people.  It’s so lush and beautiful between the vegetation and crystal clear water!
 
There are no cemeteries on the island.  Families bury loved ones in the garden near house. As a result, this makes sure the family does not sell the land and a family member always lives on the land.  Family is forever even if they are six feet under.
 
There are American coastal defense cannons around the island that were built in case needed during WW2.  They were off the main road so was a bit bummed did not get to see any of them but did stop by this old bunker.

Bora Bora is a very popular location for overwater bungalows . . . you know the ones that cost hundreds or thousands per night.  I was shocked at how many were closed and in disrepair.  I guess most people can’t afford to pay that much for one night. 

I walked around the town at the port . . . that was about it as far as shops on the island.  I was amazed at how little there is to do.  I guess most people come to relax and stay at hotel resorts with views like this.

Guess what?  I will be back in a few days!

Island Hopping Day 11: at sea

It is finally the last day on the boat before we arrive at our next port.  I don't mind sea days but five in a row on a small ship can be a bit boring.  The weather was weird today.  Once minute bright and sunny and the next dark and stormy. 

 

The day was filled with naps, walking, food, and educational talks around the ship.

Today was my last fancy meal . . . Teppanyaki which we like to call cook in front of you.

Island Hopping Day 10: at sea

Rise and shine . . . another day at sea!

I did not have a fancy dinner for today and went to the regular dining room.  I was pleasantly surprised by this dessert . . . Warm Chocolate Lava Cake.  I'm weird and don't like to mix ice cream with my wam cake but this was really good . . . 

. . . oh the sunset!

Island Hopping Day 9: at sea

It’s starting to feel like Groundhog Day and still have a couple more sea days.  

Today we crossed the equator or as I like to think I walked across the equator in the middle of the sea since I was on the walking track!

Next fancy meal was at Onda by Scarpetta which is an Italian restaurant.

As I left dinner, I popped outside.  The sunsets have been over the top too!

 

Island Hopping Day 8: at sea

I was up super early so headed to the jogging track on deck 13. I took a break to hydrate and watch the sun rise as a storm is brewing.

I then headed to deck 7 for the outside promenade which I liked walking better!

Second fancy meal was at LeBistro which is French restaurant.  The service was more attentive and always had water! 

Island Hopping Day 7: at sea

Today we were scheduled to be in Kauai but due to the recent hurricane and severe damage, the captain decided to cancel and start the journey south to arrive at our next destination early . . . and by early it means we arrive about 5 hours earlier than scheduled which is fine because the next stop is over the top!  So, we started the long journey to our next stop.  The seas were rough. I always know it is rough when I hear drawers slide open and hangers clanging in the closet while lying in bed.

I watched two movies:  The Sheep Detectives and The Breadwinner

I never book those extras on cruise ships, but this time I booked a package with four meals at the specialty restaurants.  I thought it was a good deal at $80 ($20 each).  I was excited to give the fancy restaurants a try.  First was Cagney’s.  It is a steak house so you know I was excited!  My steak was cooked perfectly at medium rare.  My only complaint was I had to constantly ask for my water to be refilled . . . so many times I just gave up.

Island Hopping Day 6: Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

At the last minute I booked an excursion.  It is Sunday and was worried about transportation to do something on my own.  I had a plan and glad I booked an excursion because there was not a lot to do where the tender dropped us off. 

First Stop:  Saint Benedict Catholic Church also known as the Painted Church

It was a very small church . . . then 3 buses of tourist stop by.  It is so simple on the outside and then you walk in where it is so colorful.

The best I could do with the buses of tourist is the ceiling.  

Wow, the paintings were amazing and so hard to capture in a photo but this professional did!

Photo Credit: Susan Rissi Tregoning 

https://www.susantregoning.com/p/big-island-painted-churches

The outside views were nice too.

Next Stop:  Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical

Last Stop:  Ali'i Gardens Marketplace . . . I did find a coffee vendor and gave Kona coffee a try . . . I’m just not a coffee girl.  The bus dropped us back at the port, and I found the Kamakahonu National Historic Landmark.

Island Hopping Day 5: Maui, Hawaii

It is my first time to Maui.  There were two things I really wanted to do but not enough time for both so I picked Haleakalā National Park. 

Haleakala Crater & Summit Lookout

I was mesmerized by the Haleakalā Silversword.

Haleakalā Silversword is found exclusively on the high-altitude, volcanic ash and cinder slopes of Haleakalā National Park. Its fine, silky hairs reflect intense sunlight and trap moisture in the dry, cold air. 

It was back to the boat . . . that’s the thing with cruises . . . you don’t get much time in port but gives me a chance to experience a place and decide if I need to return.  Yes, I need to return to do the Road to Hana.

Island Hopping Day 4: Honolulu, Hawaii

It is weird to spend the night on the ship and still be at the same port when you wake up.  I was up early and headed out to explore the local area on foot.  

King Kamehameha I Statue

Iolani Palace

Kawaiahaʻo Church (Stone Church)

Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site

I just loved all the beautiful plants and flowers on my walk.  When I saw these I sort of laughed because they looked like oversized onions.

It was back to the ship so we can set sail!  Good bye Oahu . . .

Island Hopping Day 3: to the ship

Today is moving day and the real reason I am in Hawaii.  Before I head out I have lunch with family.  It was nice to catch up and enjoy a meal.  I head back to the hotel to grab my stuff and off to board the NCL Spirit.  Cabin 10537 will by my home for the next 25 days . . . 

They say it is to sleep up to 4 people; there is no way!  It was comfortable for me.  This itinerary is going to be amazing!!

Island Hopping Day 2: Waikiki Beach, Hawaii

Today is an easy day.  I am staying in Waikiki Beach (free on hotel points) and it is packed with tourist.  I just spent the day walking and enjoying the sunshine and weather!  Let me be honest it was really hard to stay awake!  It is ridiculously hot and humid, and I keep asking myself why I keep vacationing in these type of places!

I did a little research on the best Mai Tai and headed out to Monkeypod for lunch.

I will say the drink was strong but that sweet honey passionfruit foam was so yummy.  I just enjoyed the views and walked next door to the Hale Koa (military resort) to stock up on some essentials like sunscreen and lotion because they were so much cheaper than the hundred ABC Stores I walked by.  Don't get me wrong I love the ABC Store . . . do you even go to Hawaii if you don't stop by there at least three times a day?  My next mission was to find shaved ice.  I decided to stop at Island Vintage Shaved Ice since it was on my walk back to the hotel.  I had the Hawaiian Rainbow . . . coconut, mango, and strawberry flavoring with fresh fruit chunks and soft ice cream.  It was huge and yummy on this hot day. 

The island of Oahu is nice but if you only visit Waikiki Beach you don't really see the real Hawaii.  I heard someone refer to the Waikiki area as visiting a mall on a beach . . . not a false statement.  

Island Hopping Day 1: Hawaii

I am hitting the road . . . actually a big boat for an extended adventure of island hopping.  I am excited to get back to adventuring.  It was a good flight from DFW to Honolulu in the back of the plane . . . it was only 12,500 miles on American so can't complain too much.  The downside is since this is such a long trip I had to check a bag so that added a lot of extra time waiting.  It is going to take a lot for me to get used to being on "island time" and learn to chill.  I swear it is a real thing.  I am not a huge fan of this part of Hawaii as it is crowded and full of tourist but this is where I need to be.  I was here 13 years ago. I debated on the places I should or shouldn’t I visit again. Pearl Harbor was on that I thought about and decided to go. I looked at it as going to DC and not going to Arlington National Cemetery or a Smithsonian museum. It almost seemed wrong to not visit.  So off I went to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial.  I had already purchased tickets for several time slots/days so I could visit the USS Arizona Memorial.  As we were being briefed, Ranger Tyson gave a talk and part of it was about why we were here.  He really made me think and of course it went deeper than most with my past experience of war and death.  The story of Richard Fiske and Zenji Abe who were wartime enemies but found reconciliation and lifelong friendship fifty years after the attack on Pearl Harbor.  It really was a thought-provoking message that got me a bit teary eyed.

I had seen what I wanted to see so to the hotel to call it a day.