Port Stop: Kauai

Hello followers and welcome new visitors. The journey continues! It’s just about dawn on the third day of port stops around the Hawaiian islands as the Golden Princess nears Nawiliwili (pronounced nah-willy-willy) harbor, which is the port for Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii. The lighthouse greets us.

I’m up early and on the top deck of the ship to snap this photo looking into the harbor. We’ve been told that navigating a large ship into this relatively small port is a bit tricky. Looking ahead you can see the narrow channel we must go through.

 Looking back, I decided the sunrise was worth a couple of shots on its own.

Early morning light, the seawall, and the tropical green of Hawaii.

Nawiliwili is a pretty harbor.

Here is a pan capturing a good bit of the port all the way around to the ship's bridge where you can see the Captain at work guiding the ship around to put port side to the terminal. This does take some experience!

Today we have arranged a three hour tour in the morning. There are two stops and the first is historic Grove Farm, one of the original sugar plantations on the Hawaiian islands. I can’t begin to tell you the history here, but it’s worth checking out and here is a good place to start.

We arrive at Grove Farm about 10 AM. The gentleman in the photo is going to give us a tour of the farm. He is a descendant of the original family who settled the plantation back in the 1800s. After signing the guest register we are shown some historical photographs.

Here are a few views inside the original home of the plantation's owner. This home was constructed in the early 1900s.

This sofa looks like it has a scene painted on it. Actually, it is needlepoint and took the artist who made it over 5 years to create.

Bird of paradise in a planter on the window sill.

Looking at the front of the big house. The big tree is called an umbrella tree and they are common on Kauai.

Another view of the big house from the back yard.

The plantation foreman lived here.

Views of the garden which includes a mixture of vegetables and flowers.

A close up of one of the many orchids which thrive in Hawaii.

We left Grove Farm and drove a short distance to the second stop for a ride through an old sugar plantation on a train. You know I love trains, so I had to do this. Here is a shot of the engine that pulls the train through the Kauai Plantation.

Sugar cane in the foreground, Cook and Norfolk pines behind, and mountains in the distance. The Cook pines are pretty interesting and the tour guides love to tell the story of how Captain James Cook, who discovered Hawaii, brought the trees from the South Pacific.

On this rail trip through the plantation we stop for photo ops to capture some of the wild critters that freely roam around. Here is one of the wild chickens. They are all over the island of Kauai!

A couple of sky photos to complete this day of the journey. Thanks for stopping by John’s Island. Comments are welcome and appreciated. The next post will wrap up the journey with a stop at Maui and the return voyage to Los Angeles.

Port Stop: Honolulu

Thanks for stopping by and joining me for more from the Hawaiian journey (see previous posts). On the second day of port stops in Hawaii, we arrive at Honolulu just before sunrise and enjoy a pretty view of Diamond Head in the distance. Entering the port, which is located right in the heart of downtown, we are greeted by Aloha Tower.

We spend the morning on a tour: Scenic Drive of Pali Coast 

Our tour guide mentioned that the beach below was used as a setting in a famous film, but I don't recall which one. Maybe one of you will know and leave me a comment!

View from Nu'uanu Pail State Wayside park:

Can't resist a few random shots while out on the tour. 

In the afternoon, we return to the ship. I want a photo of the ship at dock, but the position of the sun makes it a tough shot.

View of the harbor to the southeast from the ship:

We finished the day with a visit to Waikiki where we enjoyed dinner and the sunset below. Why is it that I like all Hawaiian sunsets? Maybe just getting the palm trees in there is what it's all about. Thanks again for stopping by and don't miss the next stop: Kauai!

Port Stop: Hilo, Hawaii

After four days at sea (see my last post) we've arrived in the Aloha State. First stop is Hilo, on the big island, which has the same name as the State: Hawaii.  Our early morning arrival is greeted with a little tropical sprinkle and a tiny rainbow as we near the dock.

Large ships like the Golden Princess are not usually taken into port solely by the ship's captain, but by a local expert, known as a pilot.  This person helps the captain navigate safely. Our ship slows to a crawl as the Pilot comes aboard.

Although we don't use a tug, one is available and gives us a welcome salute.

About an hour later we join about 50 other cruisers aboard a bus for a pre-arranged tour of some sights on the island. There are several tours to choose from.

Our first stop is Big Island Candies were we get to see confections being made and even sample a few.

Next stop: Hawaii Botanical Tropical Gardens where the flowers amaze me.

The garden trail begins on a hillside and as we wind our way down to the bottom, we get some peek views of the ocean and volcanic beach.

Next, it's time for lunch and we enjoy a buffet waiting for us at Naniloa Volcanoes Resort. After lunch, I step out on the lawn and snap a few pics of Hilo Bay and the island for a panorama.

We reboard the bus and travel up to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park where it seems almost a requirement to take a photo of Halema'uma'u Crater and spend a while in the Visitor Center.

Back on the bus for one last stop:  Hershey's Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut factory.

Some pretty scenery around the factory ...

Back on the ship, an afternoon snap of the port from the Sky Deck ...

And that completes our port stop in Hilo, Hawaii. Thank you for stopping by John's Island. Comments are welcome. Next post: Honolulu.

Four Days at Sea

First of all, thanks to so many for comments which I thoroughly enjoy! In my last post I introduced you to the journey. It starts at San Pedro, California, at the Port of Los Angeles. We are aboard the Golden Princess scheduled to embark at 4 PM. Within a matter of minutes, we pass the breakwater and lighthouse known as Angle's Gate and pass into the Pacific Ocean for four days of cruising en route Hilo, Hawaii. Click on the pics for large views!

What does one do while cruising for four days? Yes, dining is sure to be one of the first thoughts, and yes, the cuisine is grand, but beyond that, there is actually so much to do that I couldn't begin to cover it all in this blog. Now, for me, I'm traveling because I enjoy the ship, it's operations, and it's an exceptionally good way to find some time for the 3Rs -- rest, relaxation, reading. As Princess says, escape completely.


Explore the ship. RMS Queen Mary length = about 1019 ft., Golden Princess = 951. This is a big ship.

Watch the sky. Discover the blue ocean.

 

Thanks for stopping by John's Island! Next post, Hilo, Hawaii.

Ocean Away

The journey:  From John's Island to the real islands in the middle of the Pacific. A slow cruise and good way to escape completely. Imagine about 2460 miles at about 21 miles an hour. Los Angeles to Hilo, Hawaii, takes about 4 days. The picture above was taken on morning of the third day just as we were entering the tropics by crossing over the Tropic of Cancer. The vastness of the Pacific Ocean is difficult to fully appreciate, but this journey helps. It's good to be back home too.