Hawaii 2002
We flew to San Francisco with a plane change in LA where the smog was so thick from the clouds and the Angeles National Forest fire that we could not see the ocean from over the city. In San Mateo we were joined by Carol's mother, Jane and the next morning the three of us flew to Honolulu.
 |
The Moana Surfrider Hotel was the first one built at Waikiki beach in 1901. The Banyan was planted in 1910. Notice the large desenders that support some of the branches. If you place your mouse over the tree, we may magically appear! |
|
Plants and flowers grew in profusion. Carol liked the leis and flowers in her hair.
Below is a wonderful sunset at the ocean front restaurant our first night in Honolulu. |
 |
 |
| Joe Kluberton, Carol's nephew, joined us at our hotel for a meal and swim in the pool. He is taking one year of college in Honolulu before returning to Alaska. |  |
 |
Carol & I walked to the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and had a lovely breakfast by the beach and talked about climbing Diamond Head (in the background). |
|
Diamond Head was named not for its shape, but due to calcite crystals in the rocks on the slope of the crater. Western explorers mistook the calcite for diamonds. Military fortifications began in 1908. We took a taxi from our hotel through this tunnel into the center of the Diamond Head crater. After paying a small admission, we started our hike. At first we were on a concrete walkway but that soon turned into a rocky trail. As we neared the top, we climbed 99 steep steps and passed through a 225 foot long tunnel. |
 |
 |
We had to use flashlights in a second tunnel and to our surprise, we encountered a four story spiral staircase inside the tunnel. Next we entered an observation post with a narrow opening to the outside that we had to crawl through. |
|
At last we came out into the open at the top and were presented with great views all around. Here we are looking at Honolulu. The area outlined is shown in greater detail below.
It is interesting to try and imagine what Waikiki Beach was like back in 1901 when the Moana Surfrider was the only hotel. |
  |
 |
We were hot after our climb and envied the surfers enjoying the waves. We decided to rent one of the outrigger canoes pictured here and join them. It was cool to catch a wave and ride alongside the guys on surfboards going just as fast as they were. |
|
Eventually it was time to board our ship, the Norwegian Wind, (click for details), and depart for Nawiliwili, Kauai. Are those grinning people going to wear those leis forever? |
 |
 |
Carol purchased a pair of $1.99 air mattresses in Honolulu and we enjoyed them at every opportunity. Here is Carol floating at a beach in Kauai watching the outrigger guys. |
| Leaving Kauai, here is a view of the stern pool on the Norwegian Wind. When we got further out to sea and the ship started a very mild pitch, this swimming pool would develop some fun waves. |  |
 |
We have left the Hawaiian Islands and are motoring 970 miles south to Fanning Island which is only 4 degrees north of the equator. Only 10 miles from Kauai, the charts already showed a depth of 2800 fathoms and produced this deep blue sea. Enroute a passenger became critically ill and the ship turned back to the big island of Hawaii. Click here to see our adventures with lava and waterfalls. |
|
After dropping off the ill passengers in Hilo, we turned south again. Approaching English Harbor on Fanning Island. We were told the highest elevation on this atoll is only 10'. Wonder what the residents do in hurricanes? |
 |
 |
Some residents get part time electricity from a generator. We saw a tractor but no roads and no cars. |
| We spent the day at Fanning Island floating around the lagoon on our air mattresses and working on our tan. |  |
 |
Carol, Jane & Bee relaxing on the aft deck. |
| Enjoying one of the dining rooms. |  |
Our last port of call was Lahaina, Maui. A taxi took us to airport beach, an excellent place for snorkeling over coral reefs only a few feet from shore. A guy from Bellingham, WA was there with his son. He graciously loaned us a mask and snorkel which we enjoyed immensly. I saw hundreds of brightly colored fish and one eel in the coral beds.
 |
So ends our great Hawaiian cruise. |