HAWAIIAN ISLANDS CRUISE: Two Days in Kauai; Museum, Airplane Excursion; Botanical Garden

Thursday and Friday we were in Kauai. 

The first day there Mark, Michelle, Sam and Kathy had planned a kayak excursion. 

Mike, Lorene, Andy, Amanda and Nani wanted to spend some time that morning at the beach. Glen and I headed out walking inland, enjoying the view of our cruise ship from a distance.

NO!!! I will never get tired of palm trees!! Loved them for the three years we lived in California and still love them whenever we visit places where palm trees grow.

While walking through a residential area, we saw some tethered roosters. After all the free-roaming feral roosters we had seen throughout the week, these were the first captive ones we had seen.

We reached our destination--the Kuwai Museum.

It was enjoyable walking through the museum and learning about the island culture.

I shocked myself when I finally consented to go on an airplane excursion around the island that afternoon. 

Mike, Lorene, Mark and Michelle went in a little larger plane than the one Glen, Nani and I were in. 

It was a super windy day (notice my bangs...), but the two 21-year-old pilots were very confident about flying our two groups that day despite the crazy wind.

The first thing our pilot said was he was going to "throw us" into the airplane. I got "thrown in" first--behind the pilot seat. Next up was Glen who was "thrown in" next to me.

Nani got "thrown in" the front and was our co-pilot for the flight.

Once all the others in our group were "thrown in" their plane, both pilots took off. Both planes flew together the whole excursion. 

We saw some beautiful scenery as we flew and I was thrilled when we landed safely back where we started.

The dining room food presentations were fun to see every night.

Glen ordered lamb this evening.

After dinner I took some photographs of Mark and Michelle. My photos are much cheaper (free) than the photos that are offered from the ship's photographers.

The next morning, our second day in Kauai, we woke up early and decided to take a walk around the ship. The bonus was we got to see the sunrise. We saw Nani out walking as well.

Andy had arranged for a driver that day to tour the island for anyone from our group who wanted to do that. Glen and I opted out and decided to do our own thing that day in Kauai.

We got a Lyft driver and drove quite a ways to the Botanical Garden. Unfortunately, there were no available tours we could take that would allow us to get back to our ship on time. 

We just wandered around a little bit.

Then we walked down to the beach to see the blowhole or spouting horn that was caused by the water coming up through the holes in the rock.

As we were looking at the spouting horn, we were shocked with great surprise to see the carload of our family members getting out of their vehicle. 

We couldn't believe how random it was that they had made a stop at the exact same place as us at the exact same time. Funny coincidence!

Amanda told us they had seen turtles down on the beach and so we headed off walking away from the spouting horn to see if we could see the turtles.

We walked and walked and walked and never saw any of the big turtles. 

It took a while for us to get a ride back to the ship, but we eventually made it back to our floating home.

That evening it was so fun to see the new shirt Mike had bought for himself and one of the beautiful dresses Lorene had bought. She was also wearing the lei she had received on our first day. She had been able to keep it looking as fresh as when she got it.

Since it was our last dinner on the ship, some of us decided to get more than one dinner and definitely more than one dessert. 

It was sad thinking about our vacation coming to an end the next day. We had all had a great time together and have the photos to prove it. 

Quotes of the Week

 I plead with you to let God prevail in your life. Give Him a fair share of your time. As you do, notice what happens to your positive spiritual momentum.

--Russell M. Nelson

I testify that there is nothing in your life that is broken that is beyond the curative, redeeming, and enabling power of Jesus Christ. 

--Amy A. Wright

...spirituality is a blessing of consistent effort on our part. As we seek to learn and follow promptings of the Spirit, we can more easily distinguish things of God from things of the world.

--Jose A. Eeixeira

May we write it on our hearts and allow it to fill our souls with peace, hope, and eternal joy. God so loved us that He sent His Only Begotten Son -- Not to condemn us, but to save us.

--Michael T. Ringwood

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS CRUISE: Two Days in Hilo; Daylong Downpour; No Volcano Sighting

Tuesday we were on the Big Island on the Hilo side. True to its reputation, it is the wet side of the island. It was pouring buckets of nonstop rain on us almost the whole day. 

I went with Glen and Mike to the airport car rental to get two cars for the day. So much rain!!!!

After picking up the rest of our group at the ship, we all drove to Volcanoes National Park, stopping first at the visitor center.

Sam and Kathy got the award for being the most prepared with the best rain gear--from an umbrella protecting their upper bodies right down to their waterproof footwear. 

We inspected the map showing where the active volcano flow was happening. 

Before we headed off into the forest, we had to sanitize our shoes. Not sure what good that did as we just went out into the pouring rain right after our shoes were sprayed.

We followed the signs to the eruption viewing.

We were disappointed to see the viewing area all fogged in due to the bad weather. No volcano eruption viewing for us that day--or any other day.

It was a comic relief moment when someone asked Nani to take a photo and she chose to stick her hands up through her hood to perform the task. Just doing what it took to stay somewhat dry.

It was a happy moment when we finished our hike, took off our rain gear and got back in the dry cars.

We stopped along the way to take a look at Rainbow Falls.

Someone had put a flower arrangement in the viewing area of the falls.

I must say it was sure nice to get back to the ship and get cleaned up from our wet day of adventure. That was definitely a cold day. I never suspected I would say I was cold in Hawaii. That day I was definitely cold all day!!

There were some fancy appetizers on the menu that evening in the dining room.

After dinner we went up to the buffet to see what was being offered there and this is what our eyes beheld.

As per the information given us earlier, we knew we would not be going to Kona the next day due to the volcano erupting and the air being bad. 

The interesting thing was instead of staying in port at Hilo overnight for us to spend a second day in Hilo, the ship was taken out away from port and did a slow circle during the night before coming back in port the next day. 

Thankfully, it was a much drier day in Hilo on Wednesday. We spent some time walking around the area near the port enjoying the beautiful water views and walking through Liliuokalani Gardens.

We stopped at a farmer's market before going back to the ship for our early 1:30 all aboard call. The displays of colorful fruits and vegetables were impressive.

Some in the group bought some things to try. Mark was thrilled with the sticky rice he bought that reminded him of what he ate a lot of on his mission in the Philippines. 

Quotes of the Week

 Regardless of whether we start in abundant or difficult circumstances, we will realize our ultimate potential only when we make God our partner.

--Clark G. Gilbert

The best antidote I know for worry is work. The best medicine for despair is service. The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired.

--Gordon B. Hinckley

We should all strive to keep the gospel simple -- in our lives, in our families, in our classes and quorums, and in our wards and stakes.

--Gary E. Stevenson

Are you willing to let God prevail in your life? Are you willing to let God be the most important influence? Will you allow His words, His commandments, and His covenants to influence what you do each day? Will you allow His voice to take priority over any other?

--Russell M. Nelson