KAUAI - Day 2 - Sunday, June 3rd
Today we went back to Kalapaki beach and just relaxed. The week was so busy running everywhere to see everything, today was gonna have none of that. We hung out until about noon and then back on the boat for lunch and roll call. We knew that the boat would be the most crowded today, so we went up to the spa, took naps and packed our bags before all the shows were gonna start for the night! We were going to be sailing past the Napali Coast and I certainly wanted to see that again. Too bad it was overcast and cloudy and wasn't even close to the same as from the helicopter.
Oh well, took a few pictures and got all our bags packed full - bought a duffel bag at the store onboard (way too many souvenirs) and set them outside our door for EasyFly pickup ($20 per person) Easyfly is awesome. If you fly Delta, American, Northwest, or Continental you can have your bags picked up outside your stateroom door on Sunday night and you won't see them again until you get to your home airport! How convenient is that, unless you need something you already packed! We had reservations for Shabu Shabu but decided to skip it and just eat at the buffet again and then we got ready for the Passenger Talent Show, Variety and Comedy Show. We ended up really liking going to the shows at night, especially when there was nothing better to do. They were all really entertaining.
OAHU - Monday, June 4th
We woke up this morning and had our last breakfast at the buffet overlooking Honolulu. Got some snacks to take with us for our airplane ride later and then just walked right off. No luggage.
It was perfect! We had checked our bill the night before and we were off!
Our cousins met us right outside the boat and we went on our last day of sightseeing. We wanted to see Pearl Harbor first because we heard if you don't get there in the morning you won't get a ticket to the memorial site. We got there around 9am and our tickets were for 11:45 so we headed over to the USS Missouri - the sister ship of the Arizona and toured it. It was really cool with lots of "guy gadgets" - I am sure they could have stayed there all day.
It is a strange feeling to be on a ship that huge and look over to the memorial and know that a ship of the same enormity is right there underwater. We went back over to Pearl Harbor and got to see the movie for the history of the warship and then a boat ride to the site. The site was magnificently beautiful, a truly spiritual place. The open air ceiling was fitting to this solemn place and to see all of those names there on the wall was numbing. There is also a smaller stone where those crewmembers who did not perish that day can be listed as they pass on. Very touching.
Our next stop was the Dole Plantation to get some fresh pineapples. The store is gigantic and has everything pineapple you can imagine - I recommend the fresh pineapple juice and the chocolate covered pineapple and the pineapple frozen yogurt. The grounds were perfectly manicured and it was amazing to see pineapples growing right there on the ground. I thought they grew in a tree, so it was a good place to stop!
We left for North Shore, and drove through the very small little town found a place to eat. Some Mexican place (huge portions and yummy - just like home in AZ) then we went over and walked the beach. These waves were HUGE and it isn't even the season for huge waves. I couldn't believe it! Tons of surfers and they of course, were good. Great place for pictures and it was a little stormy with gray clouds so it was a great contrast for the backdrop.
Then as we were leaving, we were pointed to 5 huge sea turtles laying out on the beach. WOW! These things are huge and just chilling right there in the sand. We got up and close for some great photos. Beautiful beach. Then we headed off to Laie LDS Temple. We got there right as it started to rain but it made it even more beautiful! The Polynesian Cultural Center is right next door, we didn't have time to do that - gives us an excuse to come back.
Then we were off to the airport. Our flight left at 10pm and we dreaded leaving this beautiful place, but we were starting to miss our 3 boys at home. The flight home was horrible - everyone knows and expects that - but it was horrible! The only way they can make that trip good is by giving each person their own bed to fly home in. We got to Salt Lake City 5 hours later (plus a 3 hour time change) and got into Phoenix at 10:46am. We did not remember Arizona being so ugly!
Hope this was as helpful as all the reviews I read in preparation! Mahalo! Newest fan of Hawaii - Melissa Jackson - www.melissajacksonphotography.com for travel photos.
