Day 13

Day 13

Okay – okay – so I haven’t been very good at this blogging thing on this trip…and today we have sun (after a gray day yesterday) and the Bingo jackpot is up to $3800 and since I left the casino a winner last night (a whole $15) I have extra money for the casino tonight. As you can tell I have a busy day ahead of me – what with eating all day too!!

Hilo – We went to see Volcanoes National Park and it was interesting but we did not have enough time – the one problem with cruise tours. Both Scherry and I could have spent the whole day there. May have to come back BUT not by cruise ship. Once I post this to the blog I will try to upload a picture but the internet connection is S L O W.

Honolulu – We went to the Arizona Memorial and the Mighty Mo. It was really good – I had seen the Arizona before but it is always impressive. And they have completely redone the Visitors Center since I was last there – it was a great improvement.

Waimea Canyon – On the island of Kaua’i we visited Waimea Canyon. It is pretty spectacular. Not really very Hawaiian looking because it is almost deserty! I know that is not a word but it is descriptive. On the way we went along the coast and saw a blow hole – which actually was not being very spectacular when we were there because it was low tide. There were chickens all over the place and our guide told us that the island had been very involved in chicken fighting and then along came a hurricane in the ’80 and all the chicken coops were blown away and now the island is overrun with chickens!

Haleakala Crater – Now this was really something else!! We drove from sea level to 10,000 feet!! The crater itself is very other worldly looking – all shades of reds and grays and browns. The astronauts used this area for training before the moon landing. It is really beautiful. It sure was a bit chilly though at 10,000 feet. I really think this may have been the best part of the trip. Then we went to the Maui Ocean Center which was also pretty neat – it had one of those glass walkways where the fish swim all around you. At this port we also had to tender to get to shore. The tender on the way in was okay BUT on the way back the water was really rough!! That tender boat was really jumping around on those waves. It was a wild ride!

Other than that we have been at sea – and the Pacific is a pretty rough ride. The ship bounces and sways pretty much all of the time. Doesn’t bother me much but Schers is not a big fan. Last night though it was really rough! Tomorrow afternoon we have a 4 hour stop in Ensenada, Mexico – we are just going to get off on our own and wander. Maybe even find a McDonalds! Food is very good but we’re all tired of fancy!