Aloha

We went with a group of over 80 people through AAA and a local radio station.  This was my 50th birthday present along with our 31st wedding anniversary (belated).   We flew into Honolulu a day early so we can rest before getting on the ship.

We were so surprised to be on a cruise with so many American staff members (since we were used to cruising to the Caribbean all the time).  We found our way to our cabin after grabbing a bit to eat.  We took our carry-on bags to the cabin then we took a walk around before heading back to freshen up dinner and to see if our luggage arrived yet.

Maui -We were docked in overnight in Kahului (Maui) so we were able to do a couple of things.  The first day we went to the Haleakala Crater and I don't think we have been that high up without being in a plane - 10,000 feet up.  It is awesome to see inside of a old volcano and seeing the different vegetation around in the area.  That night our group went to Lu'au.  Got to see a family of string rays feeding in the bay right outside the Lu'au and to watch the local girls making the leis.  We were also taught that if a girl wears a flower on her right side it means she is single - on the left side means she is taken - on top of your head it means you are looking for a upgrade (LOL).  The second day we just went to the beach where if you don't have water shoes to wear, then make sure you keep your sandles/flip flops on because that sand is HOT!!!!  After we got back and cleaned up from the beach, I went up to learn how to make a lei out of nuts (they do several classes on different kind of leis on the cruise).

Hilo - we went to The Land of Frozen Fire.  It is where in 1990 the volcano erupted and destroyed 2 towns.  The vegetation is starting to grow back in between the cracks of the lava.  There is also a black sand beach there.  It is something to actually see what happens when a volcano erupts.  We also stopped at a park that has what they call "Lava Trees"  It is where the lava covers the trees and it burns the tree away and all that is left is the cold lava standing up.  We then went to a Hot Springs pool and got to see some sea turtles swimming in the in the waves below the cliffs.  We then headed over to the Mauna Loa Macadamia nut factory.   This afternoon I went to the Lei class to learn how to make the fresh orchid lei.

Kona - we did the Historic Kona tour.  The first stop was a historical national park which was okay.  Then we stopped at the painted church which is a Catholic Church.  It was really nice to see.  The third stop was at the coffee museum which I really wanted to go to the only problem was that we didn't spend much time there because of all the time the was spent at the national park.  You only had time to taste maybe one small cup of coffee and maybe buy a bag of coffee.  You didn't have time to go down to the museum itself before you had to be back on the bus to head back into town for those who wanted to go shopping at Hio Hatties.  Then you headed back to the ship.   This afternoon I learned how to do a 2-colored ribbon lei - that wasn't as easy to start as it looked but I got the hang of it.  Tomorrow they are going to show us how to do a 4-colored ribbon lei.

Kauai - we are docked in overnight again.  The first day here we are doing the Discover Jungle Falls by Kayak.  It was really fun kayaking down the river and our guides pointing out different areas where different films were filmed.  We then hiked through a wildlife preserved and got to see a natural wooden rose before getting into the vans to head over to the waterfall and lunch.  We had to hike down to the falls and back up but it was really worth it - BEAUTIFUL.  It is a private area and only this tour group is allowed there which makes it really nice..  We had bought a beautiful picture with a waterfall in the background with a native hut in the foreground before our excursion that we had to pick up.  We were so lucky to have been able to meet the artist and he signed the back of it personally to us.  I went to the last class for the leis today to learn how to do the 4-colored ribbon lei and boy this is a tough one to do.  The second day we just walked around the port area to take some pictures and pick up some other gifts.   

This was a really great cruise with so many different things to do and see on each Island.  We got a tour around Honolulu before heading over to Pearl Harbor since we didn't fly out till the evening.