Kona on Big Island

Kona is the exact opposite of Hilo in climate and ambience: it's warm and dry and bustling, we liked it immediately. 

We had to go ashore on tenders which was managed efficiently:

The Hop-on-Hop-off bus was a good way to travel along the foreshore - wished we'd brought bathers but no going back in a hurry. Visited a couple of farmer's markets - the pineapples are amazing, such a strong yellow colour;

So it was not surprising to find them used to dye tshirts (I bought one)

sailing past the lava flow

After dinner at Le Bistro (not included) we went on deck to watch the lava flowing from Kilauea Volcano where it hits the sea and sends up clouds of steam. The ship wasn't close enough for photos so I borrowed one from the Internet which is similar. 

Last time we were here - about 10 years ago - we were told by our b&b owners how you can walk on the lava: you wait for the Park Service staff to leave then duck under a fence and walk on it, not in rubber soles shoes of course. I don't suppose you'd be allowed to do it now. 

Hilo on Big Island

We were lucky with the weather at Hilo on Big Island: not too hot and only a sprinkle of rain - they average 1" per day. Apart from the lush greenery Hilo looks shabby, its glory days well past. There was a shuttle to take us direct from the ship to town and a taxi back when we'd looked at the Tsunami Museum and drunk iced tea. 

Gorgeous fruit at the local market. 

life on board

David has rediscovered his old passion for gridiron football which plays continuously in the Gold Rush Saloon. So I've done strange things like sitting in on a Martini-making class. Paying members got 6 martinis each and they were pretty cheerful at the end of it. Pineapple-Upsidedown-Cake looked the most revolting and the thought of bubblegum flavoured vodka is repellent. 

Monday we had to meet our group at 6.50am for a sail and snorkelling trip. The only benefit of being up so early was seeing this rainbow over the ship

First we bussed to Lahaina (means fierce sun) where we joined Pacific Whale Foundation's catamaran and sailed for 2 hours out to Lanai Island. Most people sat outside and were lobsters when seen at dinner. 

We ran into a large pod of pan tropic spotted dolphins: they're quite small about a metre and a half and very friendly, doing the bow wave surfing and grinning up with dolphin-grins. 

I hadn't forgotten how to snorkel and it was gorgeous - 3 to 6 metres of water and lots of fish, especially yellow tangs which are my favourite, drifting around like autumn leaves. No, I didn't find Dory. 

second day

I suppose the ship travelled during the night - because now we are docked at Maui - but felt and heard nothing. The sea is like glass and just a gentle breeze stops the heat being a problem. 

We had breakfast in the formal dining room - delicious Eggs Benedict and waffles (guess who had which) - and booked a shore excursion snorkelling tomorrow. The ship is on Maui for 2 days so we can spend today on board or land. 

We opted for on land in search of free wifi and what a dismal trek through deserted docks and alongside a bitumen highway. Destination a crappy noisy mall with FREE WI FI - love it - and a cool drink. We will head back soon: don't need any more Hawaiian shirts. 

on board The Pride of America

Security to board is just as strict as for a plane: 2,500 of us queuing took quite some time to process but eventually we made it to a friendly bar and relaxed while  our luggage caught up. 

The sail-away party with barbecue and loud music on the pool deck was rather a fizzer because we didn't actually sail until 7 o'clock by which time it was dark and the ship slid quietly through the black water past the shore lights of Honolulu. 

essential shopping

David's birthday and I bought him a discreet Hawaiian shirt ( yes that is possible), 2 pairs of shorts and a watch. It's 30' and sweltering to us who have just endured a south-east winter. 

We went to my favourite shopping centre Ala Moana where I saw these gorgeous orchids. 

trying tedious trip

5 hours driving from home, 2 hours in Melbourne airport, flight to Sydney, another wait then finally we were on the plane to Honolulu for 8 hours of very little sleep then 3 hours to arrival at hotel: no wonder we were walking zombies when we arrived. Zombies longing for a shower. 

Showered and resisting falling asleep, we went outside for a walk along the beach and our free (watery) mai tai then dinner in the hotel - which turned out to be a nice buffet including crab legs and prime rib. Felt quite rejuvenated but still too tired to sleep. 

go while you can

Yes I know I said we wouldn't travel any more but we've changed our minds and we're off on Friday to see old friends in America.
The crayfish in our bay will have to wait until we return

The cats are going to boot camp with 102 cans of cat food.