Sandy's Travel Adventures 3: Cruise to the South Pacific and Hawaii

Day 15 - Raiatea, French Polynesia

We added a port that wasn't on the original itinerary. I took another Le Truck ride today. and this time the carriage was pulled by a truck. This tour was not nearly as nice as on Bora Bora - and I could not even hear the guide. But the island was lush and green and I saw plenty of beautiful plants. The final stop was a vanilla farm. I bought some vacuumed packed and will figure out what to do with it at home.

We left the dock at 2:00 pm for our voyage to Christmas Island. We will cross the International Date Line so I will lose a day. I get it back on the way to Hawaii.

Marketplace in Raiatea

Vanilla beans

And another amazing sunset

Day 16 - At Sea

We have two days at sea before our next stop at Christmas Island. The lecturer tried to explain how the International Date Line works. Tonight we set our clocks ahead 24 hours. It is Saturday today and tomorrow will be Monday. And later in the week it will be Thursday twice. I still don't get it.

For the next few days I’ll be reading and doing puzzles. I've had too much sun so I'll stay in a lounge.

Day 17 - At Sea

Today is Monday and yesterday was Saturday. I must have slept over 24 hours. It was another wonderful day on the Silver Spirit. I relaxed, read and did many puzzles. Tonight I will have dinner under the stars.

Day 18 - Christmas Island, Kiribati

You pronounce the country Kiribas - ti sounds like an s. Christmas Island was home to many atmospheric nuclear tests, yet nothing was glowing as we walked around.

It was also the first island to experience the new millennium, since it is located west of the International Date Line. Still confused? I am.

I took my bike on the island but found myself riding in circles. I never did find the main road.

Fresh tuna

Dancing children

Another magical rainbow

Day 19 - Fanning Island

This time I sent my bike back to the ship after attempting to ride in the muddy roads. The locals were very friendly and the children were always posing for pictures. I walked a mile or so, and the highlight was the elementary school.

When the weather got bad I returned to the ship for a relaxing afternoon of reading and puzzles.

Fanning Island warriors

Too muddy to bike on Fanning Island

More dancers

Elementary school

Day 20 - At Sea

Not much to report except it is the first of two Thursdays, that strange international date line.

This is our second rough day at sea. The ship is bouncing up and down and shifting side to side. They have even closed the fitness center, so I may have to walk the upper deck like a drunken sailor.

Day 21 - At Sea

Today was still rough, with calm spots now and then. I can't even remember my activities, just very relaxing.

Sandy, Martin, Shuri and Doug - all dressed up

Day 22 - Hilo, Hawaii - The Big Island

We arrived in a downpour and left in a downpour. And it rained most of the day in between. I did walk two miles into town, which was quite pleasant. I walked around the quaint town and did buy a few Hawaiian shirts. My afternoon adventure was taking the crew bus to Wal-Mart for suntan lotion, which I hope I need.

At 10:00 pm you could see six or more section of the volcanic eruption. This has been happening for 30 years.

I grew up in Springfield, but this is Hilo, Hawaii

Hilo shopping district

Lava flow at night

Day 23 - Kailua, Kona, Hawaii - Still the Big Island

As horrible as yesterday's weather was, today's forecast of rain never materialized. It was hot and sunny all day. In the morning I took a long bike ride. The hills were gentle up and down slopes. After lunch I returned for some serious shopping. The ship left Kona at 4:00 pm for our sailing to Kauai, another island I have never visited.

The main food of Hawaii

Day 24 - Nawiliwili, Kauai, Hawaii

Today's tour confirmed the fact that I hate ship tours. We were on the bus over four hours and made three stops. The first was the obligatory gift shop. The second was to see a beautiful canyon and the third to see an unimpressive blow hole. While on the bus the driver chattered and chattered about nothing of interest.

After lunch I had another invigorating bike ride, up and down medium slopes. Luckily the last mile was all downhill. The scenery on Kauai was beautiful.

Kauai from a distance

Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of the Pacific

The beach in Kauai

Day 25 - Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii

Today I walked eight miles. I started walking to Waikiki Beach, with beautiful views of Diamondhead. Originally I wanted to climb it, but I've done that in my past life. Then I fell in love with the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. I painted years ago and maybe this will be the inspiration to start painting again.

I visited Chinatown, which wasn't as big as I expected. We had a big luau on deck, but I ate the same grilled lobster in the dining room.

Waikiki Beach and Diamondhead

The Royal Hawaiian Hotel

Hawaiian surfers

Day 26 - Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii

I was just here two months ago so there was nothing new to see. I tendered in and walked around the shops before returning. I did buy my favorite Maui chips and two 2014 Hawaiian Men Calendars.

I went up to the pool area, looked out and saw two whales and a huge school of dolphin. I proceeded to the observation deck in front and was treated to a whale show. While talking to Eric I saw at least five more. In total I saw over twenty up there.

From my window seat in the dining room, I continued to see more blow spouts and whales. Finally while sailing away from my last port I saw no fewer then fifty more whales. The ship's binoculars made the sightings so awesome. I saw a few completely breach, and many others majestically showing their enormous tails as they dove. I was a spectacular show of nature.

I now face five days at sea before returning home.