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.

Day 7: back to empty nesting

 And just like that I am at my favorite airport hotel hanging out at the pool . . . 

. . . tomorrow I fly home at 5am!  It seemed like a good idea a few days ago!

Day 6: Fort Collins, Colorado

This in my fourth time to Fort Collins and my first to actually do tourist things.  No campus tours, no apartment searching, and no moving stuff up and down to a second floor apartment!  I know it is an expensive town to live in but it sure is cute especially walking around Old Town.  I had two days to enjoy and did what I wanted to do and ate a lot!

CSU Annual Flower Trial Gardens

Ginger and Baker

 

High Point Ice Cream

Hiking Trails around Fort Collins 

 

Silver Grille Cafe (for breakfast)

The Still Whisky Steaks

New Belgium Brewery Tour

Totally 80's Pizza and Museum