John & Katie's Big Adventure

Hawaiian Vacation Cruise - Days 1- 7

We left for Las Vegas on the afternoon of September 4th.  We had a very early flight on Friday so we had made reservations at the Mandalay Bay on the "Strip".  There was some sort of problem so they ended up giving us a suite in the newly remodeled Delano.

Day 1

Our Suite at the Delano

Touring the shops in Las Vegas I had to wonder just how popular surfing is here!

We had dinner and visited the Luxor and New York, New York

Day 2

 Up at 3am to catch our Air Canada flight to Vavcouver, B.C.  Caught a Royal Caribbean shuttle from the airport to the port and was having lunch on board Rhapsody of The Seas by 1:00pm.

Departing Vancouver

Days 3 - 7

Sunset at Sea

Day 3..We diverted to help a de-masted catamaran.  They had were 1,000 miles from San Francisco running on their 4 knot back-up engine.  We gave them fuel, water, food and beer.

We were blessed with calm seas and beautiful weather!

It was relaxing to be at sea!

but by our 5th day at sea we were ready to go ashore!

John & Katie's Big Adventure

Hawaiian Vacation Cruise - Days 8 and 9     

MAUI

 Day 8

Land - Ho!  Thursday, September 11th

Lahaina is a shallow water port so we had to be tendered ashore

The ship uses several of their life boats for the tendering

Of course we had to make a quick stop at their library!!

Beautiful Scenery

another beach view with Rhapsody in the background

Our first day in Maui was mostly shopping but we also had a "Trilogy Catamaran Sunset Sail"

Anyone who has been to Lahina knows of this tree.  It is the second largest banyan in the world.

On Friday we went on the "Iao Valley * Maui Tropical Plantation" tour

Which included a cocoanut husking demonstration

and a view of the Iao Needle (behind us)

And a great view.  Our bus can be seen below

On the way back to Lahina Rhapsody is visible

Our favorite cafe was across from the dock.  The giant banyan is on the right.  Katie LOVED their spring rolls!

John & Katie's Big Adventure
Hawaiian Vacation Cruise Days 10 & 11
Hawaii....The Big Island

Day 10....Hilo

 Although Hilo was a deep water port so we could dock, so could freighters

Not quite as scenic as Lahaina

Our shore excursion in Hilo was the "Hilo & Kilauea Volcano".  Hilo is the flower capital of the world and our trip included a stop at the Akatsuka Orchid Farm on our way up tp Mt. Kilauea.

Opaekaa Falls

Akatsuka Orchids

Then on to Mt. Kilauea and Volcanoes National Park

The volcano has been erupting since the 1980's and recently the lava flow has changed direction and was about to enter a small community.  Since the 1980's, Kilauea has added 500 acres to the island.

Although smoke and steam are seen here, the main eruption is in an "off limits" area on the side of the volcano's cauldra

This photo gives you an idea of the huge size of the ancient cauldra

After leaving the rim, we stopped at an old lava tube

The short walk to the entrance was very lush and scenic

A lava tube is formed when a stream of lava heads down toward the sea.  The outside, which is exposed to the air, cools and hardens while the molten center continues it's path creating a tunnel.

Katie at the lava tube entrance

Lights were installed for safety.  The floor was rough and wet

The exit is ahead....pretty cool!

a recently cooled lava flow

New growth has already begun due to the abundant foliage and rainfall.  Note the burnt tree!

After the tour was over, we met-up with a long time friend who now lives on the Big Island.  Susan picked us up at the port and we spent what little time we had left with her.

Susan showed us this tree planted planted long ago....and look who planted it!!!

We went to the beaches and a park

A beautiful view

We walked across to Coconut Island

where the residents come to play

and swim

Day 11....Kona

During the night we cruised from the east side of the island to the west side.  Passing to the south, we could see the glow of the lava from Mt. Kilauea's eruption and an occasional flare-up as it touched trees and large shrubs.

Since we had to be tendered ashore, the coastline was more scenic rather than industrial.

Our Shore Excursion was the "Glass Bottom Boat Dolphin Adventure"

Our double decker boat passed this interesting man-made island/raft, complete with chairs and palm trees!

The view as we cruised the coastline

Our goal was the famous "Spinner Dolphins"

Spinner Dolphins get their name from the fact that they spin while swimming during the day.  Spinner dolphins are nocturnal but must keep moving during the day so they will not drown.  They rest or "sleep" by shutting off one side of their brain at a time.  This enables them to swim and watch for dangers but also results in the spinning motion as only one side of their body is still swimming.

Our tour was over before noon so we walked the ocean front and waited for our friend Susan

Very "touristy" but very scenic

Susan and her husband also own a house on the Kona side of the island and she had driven over to attend church and tend to some matters at the other house.

We met for lunch at the Fish Hoppers restaurant.  Evidently a famous place at least among the residents

The food was fantastic!

so was the scenery

I went back to the Rhapsody while Katie spent more time with Susan

They stopped at the LDS Temple

Back at our "home away from home", I found a monkey in our cabin!

We bid farewell to the Big Island, and as the sun set we headed toward Kauai