March 28th. Hilo Hawaii
Greetings friends and family, we slipped into our berth at the port of Hilo this morning after a smooth night. At least I heard no one complaining of rough seas or "mal de mer" we feel the least motion being mid ships, it's amazing the difference it makes compared to those ensconced in the aft and pointy end quarters.
Weather was good for arrival with temp in the high 20's Celsius. I had set a wake up call for 6.45am as we had a tour arranged by Fran, one of our CC group leaving the pier at 8.30am. I was awake and up at 6.00 so was up on deck 9 having hot water honey and lemon due to a scratchy throat.
The 10 in our tour group met on time at the rendezvous arranged by "Ricky's tours" we all fit into his van nicely and were soon on our way. Among the places we visited were the Rainbow Falls, the Orchid growing facility, then up 3000 ft. to Mt. Kilauea and Mauna Loa, not a lot of action but lots of steam rising, it rains a lot and was very cool at that elevation, we were glad we wore long pants and took our jackets.
We also walked through a lava tube which was interesting but very wet. The tour was about 6 hours and we arrived back at the quay side tired and hungry but in all a most enjoyable time.
Because of our late lunch we weren’t very hungry at early seating, I enjoyed the escargot but that was all I could handle, Dorothy opted for the show, I slunk up to our cabin to blog, and down load
Dorothy's photo's from today, something went badly wrong and I lost them, I shall be in her bad books without a doubt.
We sailed away on time and now have 5 days at sea before our next port of call Bora Bora. The French Polynesian Immigration officers are aboard and over the next few days, those of us who are not citizens of the EU, will have to present ourselves with passports at their desk for perusal and official FP admittance stamp. (nice work if you can get it).
We were hoping to see lava flow from Kilauea as we sailed past at 8.15 this eve but there was nothing happening. In 08 the last time we were here we saw a spectacular display of fire and magma oozing it's way down into the sea.
Ah dear! I hope you make sure you catch up on your sleep before your next shore day. You have five days to do that.
ReplyDeleteIt all sounds so wonderful, soak it up and take it home with you and then you can sit and ponder on it all over again,
Best Wishes, Marion, xxx
(I hope this works)
Hi Tony & Dorothy
ReplyDeleteWe justlooked at the webcam and see there are a few white caps on the ocean enroute to Bora Bora!
Watch out for those stairs.
Hi Mom and Dad!
ReplyDeleteI hope Dad, you are okay after your little tumble :( Are the seas still a little rough? I know you both don't feel it as much as some do, but please be careful!!
Tim and I are having fun reading through your blog, and daydreaming about our holiday. He send his love, and hopes you got your fill of Kona coffee! He says there is nothing better, HE LOVES KONA COFFEE!!
You will have to let us know how much Bora Bora has changed since we were there! I remember it being the most beautiful place on earth!!
We are doing fine.. we had more snow yesterday, and pea soup FOG last night. Aidan had a long weekend at his Dad's because of Spring Break, but is home where he belongs tonight! YAY!
LOVE AND KISSES to you and Mom!!
xoxoxoxo
Tony,
ReplyDeleteYou may be able to get Dot's photos back. My sister thought she had lost hers last year on a trip but when she took her camera to one of the dealers here at home, they were still on the hard drive. Don't give up and when you get home, they could suddenly turn up.
Enjoy our 5 days at sea.
Jennie
Marion, fear not, this is normal for me and my pm nap for an hour, has me feeling shipshape again...
ReplyDeleteJohn & Shelagh, the Capt. says 2 to 3 meter seas, just the right amount of movement for us old sea salts, but there are many aboard who've not had the pleasure of small ship cruising, and they are not happy campers.
Jolene, fear not for yer old Dad, I'm fine, the seas have not been rough, just a little too wobbly for those more used to large ship travel.
Glad Moo is home where he belongs:) SNOW, still? what the bleep is going on. Yeah I'm sure we'll see some changes in Boora Bora.
Jennie, I have heard that lost pics can be retrieved too, we'll just have to wait and see, AND be more careful.