KONA - Friday, June 1st
Today we woke up early and got in line for tickets for one of the first tenders out to shore. I thought it would be a struggle to get off the boat early but there were very few people ready right at 7am - I guess the lines start around 9am. We got off the boat and found another ABC store right there - got some more sunscreen and water ($4 on the boat and .99 cents in the store) and found a taxi just waiting around for us. (Aloha Taxi 1.808.325.5448) We drove up the main drag and saw tons of cute little shops and Bubba Gump Fish and Hard Rock were all there. Made a mental note to get dropped off at that area on the way back to the pier - Easy walking distance. So we took a $20 cab ride to Keauhou Bay where our 5-hour Snorkel excursion was departing. We originally wanted to do this boat because it also offers scuba along with the snorkel. They didn't get another diver signed up so my husband didn't get to scuba - but we realized with the clear water there really is no need for scuba here. We took the Hula Kai (www.fair-wind.com) to two different snorkel spots and loved them both. They had a nice breakfast when we got there and we had about two hours to check it out and enjoy breakfast. Then off to the next spot, and boy do you get there fast with this boat's technological advances. Read all about it on their website.
This was by far the most luxurious boat we could have gotten on all the islands for what we paid, and with only 28 passengers on board - it was very much like we were the only ones there. The next spot was beautiful with black lava rock cliffs and the crystal clear blue water - just amazing!
There were sea caves which my husband explored with one of the crew and they claim to have seen a shark so they went looking for that and I went back to the boat! Then they cooked up burgers with potato salad and the normal bbq stuff. Everything was delicious, especially after swimming all morning.
We headed back and went by Captain Cook's monument and Place of Refuge - that was when I realized how lucky we were on our boat. The zodiac company pulled up on their raft and I couldn't believe we almost did that excursion. The thing was packed full, and I was pretty sure they didn't just have a gourmet breakfast and lunch. Plus, Kealakekua Bay was surrounded by boats and tons of snorkelers. At both of our snorkel spots we were the only boat there, so it felt very intimate and secluded. Much nicer then being surrounded by a million boats. We loved the Hula Kai - spend the extra money. Got back on shore and called our taxi guy and had someone there within 10 minutes. Had him drop us off at the Hard Rock Café and walked down the main drag and shopped. Got back to the pier and back on the boat by our 5pm deadline and had a great day.
KAUAI - Saturday, June 2
Today we are in Kauai and we didn't plan anything here except the Blue Hawaiian Helicopter at 4pm. We woke up late, enjoyed breakfast and got off the boat around 10am. Took one of the Anchor Cove shuttles to the stores and found Kalapaki Beach right off Nawiliwili Harbor, perfect little beach and within walking distance to the boat. My husband saw the Surf Lesson sign and I knew I was gonna spend the next few hours watching him surf. It was $50 for a one hour lesson and included everything he would need. The instructor, Kolomona said that only 1 out of 10 people actually get to where they could "ride a wave" and of course my talented husband was one of them. He loved it!
Shopped around a little at Anchor Cove and found another ABC and stocked up on the souvenir chocolates, shells, towels, etc and headed back to the boat. Took the Anchor Cove shuttle again and walked across the street to Harbor Mall where Blue Hawaiian has their offices. Watched a safety video and headed over to the airport on the provided shuttle. There were 6 of us plus the pilot, and it was awesome.
We chose Blue Hawaiian because we have friends who just came back from this cruise and they said that company was what everyone talks about. Kauai is the best island to do a helicopter tour because you can see the waterfalls, Waimea Canyon, Napali Coast and the beautiful coastline. So the ride was amazing and they record it all for you - you can buy a DVD for $25 customized with your voices, faces and exactly what you saw. Awesome for my kids at home! They come highly recommended by Frommers, National Geographic, Travel Channel, etc - So it was awesome! (www.bluehawaiian.com) I was nervous about being scared or having motion sickness, but once I got up there I was fine. I did take Dramamine, but they said I wouldn't need it. Take it just in case! It was a little nerve racking when you are flying over the edges of Waimea Canyon and you realize you are thousands of feet off the ground in the air. My advice--don't think about it! It was just breathtaking!
My favorite views were of the Napali Coast and you can't get those views any other way. and the DVD does not do it justice. This is THE most beautiful coastline! If you have any doubts about the helicopter ride, just do it. It was well worth it!
Got back to the boat and and practically had the whole boat to ourselves since most people use the cruise excursions - tonight was the Luau for them. Someone said like 1200 people signed up for that. We had an early dinner and then went back and took naps! We had a big night planned with the shows and dinner at Grand Pacific.
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