The final night before arrival and thankfully, the swell has decreased, we spend a much more comfortable evening and for me, another ‘Captain’s dinner’. I am accompanied by Karen; Piet, the Chief Engineer with his wife Christine are there too. All-in-all there are 12 of us. Both Executive chef, Petr (sic) and Pinnacle Grill chef, Joseph excelled in their gastronomic delights and, after a dinner and good conversation, the guests departed happy.
An early morning again, still dark and the lights of Hilo beckon us; a slow-down for the pilot and then on our way again around the low breakwater and through the buoyed channel towards the berth.
The track towards Hilo, on the ‘Big Island’
The approach towards the harbour.
The turn around the breakwater and down the buoyed channel towards the berth.
Finally, the berthing itself.
Thomas took her in again, (got to let the ‘youngsters’ get their experience) and, after 5 days at sea, guests can walk ashore and enjoy themselves.
Just after arrival, a beautiful rainbow spanned the channel.
Karen, Hazel and Jodie, the Cruise Director’s wife hopped in a car and were off to see Volcanoes, waterfalls and various sights along the way.
Kilanea volcano
Entrance to a walk through a lava tube.
Inside lava tube
Hazel and Jodie actually in it, photographed by Karen
The exit from the Lava tube
Manua Loa from the distance
Manua Loa volcano, the largest active volcano in the world
Liliuokalani gardens, (don’t ask me to pronounce it)
Rainbow falls
….and Karen taking a drink from it 🙂
Yeah! They found a ‘Farmers’ market
One of the ‘farmers’
As I write, we are sailing anti-clockwise round the Big Island, on our way to Honolulu for tomorrow morning. We are planning a tour, whale watch!! I do so hope I can get some photos of these beautiful creatures, (other than those I take from the Bridge-wing), hopefully up close and personal. You will find out soon! 🙂
As usual, Captain, we are enjoying your posts. Wish we were there again. A hint for pronouncing those vowel-infused Hawaiian words…………..pronounce every syllable as you see them and accent the vowels………… and you’ll be a pro.
Many thanks for your fascinating pics and great updates
Twixt you and my friend Jeff’s blog,making for great armchair
travel
Look forward to sailing the Amsterdam again,my fav Dam ship
Recently has 41 days on the new Koningsdam,despite all the innovation and usual great crew,not a ship that I would repeat !
Sawasdee from a very rainy Phuket
Many thanks for your fascinating pics and great updates
Twixt you and my friend Jeff’s blog,making for great armchair
travel
Look forward to sailing the Amsterdam again,my fav Dam ship
Recently has 41 days on the new Koningsdam,despite all the innovation and usual great crew,not a ship that I would repeat !
Sawasdee from a very rainy Phuket