Go
to Hawaii we said. Get some R&R before
we go home we said. What a joke that
turned out to be. In all honesty,
neither of us would have coped with sitting on the beach for 6 days so we
didn’t.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34HXIJfQ5YvrrSCA5V2FU3N10m05Hhow0iswXqqfMLCXj2U8C3OuoXYorEx1sVjTd073eHo_WgWA6uAP24dFqxpGEMeFX90fa5kqoM35h26Q_pTRVlGNiIUecQIgyOqUTVexFqHGTwjsM/s1600/1.02+View+from+hotel+room,+Waikiki.JPG) |
The views from our hotel room |
Spent
the first day wandering around Waikiki playing dodge the tourist. An impossible game but we had fun trying and
were rewarded with a gorgeous sunset.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpy3gn19dW6quqOUDYQS1LzC_KKR6_vLNA3intw3JzI9HRXv0mh-QLXZ0OXbbLXngZSE4FrUZQxWYW8eZTD76MavULhyx38C6MCYLo4kSH38hE_ZvSNOuSp43vajsTF3UQkXWnUdV0pdu5/s1600/1.03+The+father+of+surfing+-+Duke+Kahanamoku.JPG) |
The father of surfing, Duke Kahanamoku |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenT1F2XN02VBAso1An1bTLL8RqVqLybAt7mKIPM8Tr0q_i3oQpwgZq6GttosDTrTUpOyq7ry5nfoK33wPz3KlhchvTGijujZt8ZvGa7t53R7KgKbQRCJ5MDZ0UROmizJgmFIstkmznRbQ/s1600/1.04+Waikiki.JPG) |
Most of the palms have their coconuts removed to protect stupid tourists who like to sit under them |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUFHKtLw9dVvIscasN8RK8fMa7tNb4sUmwbeRuJH5KFsITxRWaAAK3skLAHj7qGhy81qUEOzz4Df0vJ-Oh4txT1EDy2cenByY7TNtfWGIEwk-STY0tPbi3b4lYnW5rh25Ym3zGaLRRQkP/s1600/1.05+Beautiful+Waikiki+sunset.JPG) |
Beautiful Waikiki sunset |
Next
day saw us heading out to the Big Island – Hawaii – and Kilauea Volcano. Of course no organised bus tour in Hawaii can
go directly to the main event without stopping off along the way at a couple of
stores designed to part tourists from their hard earned cash. Had absolutely no problem with the Macadamia
factory and their abundance of free samples – I adore macadamias but the orchid
place??? Eating orchids isn’t nearly as enjoyable as eating macadamias. They were pretty though.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIXNzqqId10DloT78FBc0zCIaG6krGDIQoPXxgsMjempxkv9CQ8idPmn7XfCmzRSpv7iJ72AMTq-7CvIWMXO9yi32isST6v2RkMS50Q7V1Sw3HCb8ab-07vt95hOf_RvZ_kTOZY5Fj30M/s1600/1.06+Wish+they+did+come+in+packs+this+size.++Mmmmm,+macadamias.JPG) |
I wish macadamias did come in packs this size |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHM-AIOmMHjvXaBS8syo-np0us6W0B1SDueJaDAHYvqcbQt2im1C0hKK2nAtoWnWDg4J2eZ9tJFG4D2lHMNL_uBdd-qLyURVt3d805YxPO8dAmBxtDOCXKaLvEemwBpfH0Oopa9ECOiNZ/s1600/2.00+Akatsuka+Orchid+Gardens,+Hawaii.JPG) |
Lots of orchids for sale including one with a $20K price tag |
The
volcano of course, was the star. No red
stuff for us today but lots and lots of steam from various craters and holes in
the ground. Kilauea’s current eruption
has been ongoing since 1983. We visited
quite a few sites of previous lava flows as well the crater rim itself.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ltkqDeKCc1r_mggbND66DsLC2zxb8HR3nFaId2QNaJThxqyv5OHfGl9UbB-n0bfZQvMj7b-hcT0DRSX3BNfhXc7KSfIBFY-_vCdR90iz9to2yyzo8y8QctuKD56tQ1WYp8rNXpft9_dO/s1600/1.10+Volcano+National+Park,+Hawaii.jpg) |
Kilauea |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6Of67C70jJB2tpMj_1kkrUaceAoE9BenXkTXAWkALFUG9u4blU9vvwyMOtad_ELmIAaobE-kUIPzSpXbm9U8b1z_gLqWS8ZMOOL6xQ9tAElVmoggpE8ptMDTmcbR_0hyphenhyphenI30X5uFEgEZE/s1600/1.11+Every+time+I+go+in+a+lava+tube+I+am+reminded+of+Maurice+Gee's%2Bbook%2C%2BUnder%2Bthe%2BMountain.JPG) |
Every time I go in a lava tube I am reminded of Maurice Gee's book, Under the Mountain |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnEO-_0KWA7Zlcw4pyNNbD7sEs0jLDrFbdjhtAXVTxsLtimSpGa6ftav1KGTmTmvyQF-fQG7QnTrc_HHoGWGyQznAC6_Lb_gYnhl6IEyRBo8zPZS9Lo4HjXxORdtsYQN40qC6nEfyFJF9/s1600/1.12+A'a%2Blava%2B-%2Bsharp%2Band%2Bjagged.jpg) |
A'a lava - sharp and jagged |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdOolXTGg9o7_6TCHiSQ3xKVyBhNKE4KIDHvL22ae9p2OUDMcBz7E97D4a-orcZPzseMaRAA-RtGbArAnQL6MInWX4eVOWMuFBqdkTkXfylTsLvTDgGY-6Gz6Y0OZ3IbxS6Bj_H2jm15b/s1600/1.13+Pahoehoe+lava+-+smooth+and+ropey.jpg) |
Pahoehoe lava - smooth and ropey |
We
also stopped off at a Japanese-styled garden and a waterfall which were just
lovely so it wasn’t all about consumerism.
All in all, it was well worth the 4am wake up call.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiydTfTupfxXjnE0EuqwrsAyv6BDrn8H1kTeC9kLoOTKuFno2wNxnEK0Fb0Y8kbfHUXF4qXUHjs-Nx9F6cT7IRHnRPy2rUZv973_N6A73o6fc-2VoyMw4ePka0lvY7uS03h6gaWagc5VhuU/s1600/1.14+Liliuokilani+Botanical+Garden,+Hawaii.JPG) |
Liliuokilani Botanical Garden |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8W3GIoGS7dKGFFDqR-rLBWTEgKHdbF2pCP_7PsAqefLQl64Zq0J-7pH3XOH3gQUd61stRrZ6BncHdGIlrAkkwqKKApdKfn8oJOnFD3-YRaT8XR8Fzrbg4gYgNt1fLcxfZDc0wMK48pIx/s1600/1.15+Rainbow+Falls,+Hawaii.JPG) |
Rainbow Falls |
Got
a sleep in the next morning – a mere 6.30am wake up call. Today was a trip around Oahu – just to prove
there is more to Oahu than Waikiki. It
took a while to clear the suburbs of Honolulu but we then we were in the
country and it was just beautiful.
Stopped off at the Halona Blowhole.
The beach just by the blowhole was where the famous kissing scene
between Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr was filmed in From Here to Eternity
(just change the colour to black and white and you can imagine you are right there).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1QfyG11s0t2EFY4lz0jK4Hsd-iWmHc2gODLT8zPs9K2qRdPYGMH78JpTP7vlBtymnZJ30iYPjnqTvHSGQ8JsAdVGC7UtRngz0L1jWI2XsqhJ70_6RnTxyyULXTryXWrQJAPjkyaZzwFi/s1600/1.16+For+such+a+calm+day+we+got+quite+a+good+show.jpg) |
For such a calm day we got quite a good show at the blowhole |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdDeKSuZVeuQ0Gc6gyycUgG0gcYAsjUF9qx1ykG32gZQSYQiyjYAVzeOA884jLFQpj1HSzBfkk0HgjGh6XS7jYdOvKu002Nc4Ff187p6QwFZzZnoLA-_t1nGBj7SueI22wVEAcdsmk6Wl/s1600/1.17+Picture+this+in+black+and+white.JPG) |
Picture this in black and white and you are at the spot from the movie "From Here to Eternity" |
Another
beautiful place we stopped at was the Byodo-in Temple – a scaled down replica
of the 950 year old Byodo-in temple in Japan.
It is in such a tranquil location.
Even the hordes of tourists can’t spoil the serenity. Then it was on to a teaser before lunch at another macadamia
nut factory (I think they give you lots of samples so that you don’t eat too
much at the buffet lunch – care factor if that is true = zero).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAGRgSnu6FWx7_KTIdGquIvKhmD-nfCQT8sFzbzAmE0n4cikyaHuGAEXTM8ddQVP8JtMy44k5RzaS2oRzLPFnlTjo4vdxkUUumWWfM5CHtgsqj3Jk0_0dirx78GuPYphwMQV7PxNcPxHd/s1600/1.18+Byodo-in+Temple,+Oahu.JPG) |
Byodo-in Temple |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxMwT09wpEO2yfhOuSjos-lgKCsnwqIsPrF0jaKH71xgXXgOOgwZXZPFnxj4B3ZyS5Oz0wCR2F4Ec7DHDmGn8hogf6S7mx_VRXGHRZk11qqaHDLEUeDh0vootkNCSQ6qpcJvWKXWWmNR4/s1600/1.19+Jean+ringing+the+Bon-Shu+bell,+Byodo-in+Temple,+Oahu.JPG) |
Jean about to ring the bell before entering the temple |
Lunch
was held at the idyllic Kualoa Ranch. Mountains
at the back of the ranch, Pacific Ocean to the front. Entertainment was provided by a couple of
hens and their large broods and the food … yep, once again, we ate too much.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTH0ORjRI9kM9vOICbdKfO_bElJr8Y53MubxLSPEGVfViI-gQeJnFKdzjzHVAiQwal6Y4bvLAs22bDI_69hul6mqBeLe4Fc1r3wNh_gOtTUDXiu0NkwUH9n4vF_phAHpdg8EzOv-E1MEM/s1600/1.22+Mountains+to+the+back.JPG) |
Mountains to the rear |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6clHyfjhMYcM0S6U7pFDC_4g5efol6xhUgu6gmlfln3ggBdV4J_OVqYqvITBVk5d411FbBldFC0Y6Ccqo_0eqB20HuQnX-5WvllAhwezxc2C3rZg53aZtrFlKKqXCa1x_mwriBGyekSa/s1600/1.23+Pacific+Ocean+to+the+front.JPG) |
Pacific Ocean at the front |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXqfCkwwyiN9hu4Ia_fGDYKiIPSImvkylVE99otUkKpmlPfCR_0lLvTBUGQiS9JDr6eHKr2prVzuuxntyNDkH50mTIFlHgE-lW2WoFTuD7660fUKccNwf3rvkpv52fdR-cVpxqq-MKp8I/s1600/1.24+and+plenty+of+entertainment.JPG) |
... and plenty of entertainment |
Stopped
off on the North Shore to check out the waves.
A few surfers out there but no big waves. Couldn’t
resist a few photos in the water, it was lovely and warm. Got a bit close methinks.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5j8l35C44db786t5_HiwEg330yBJagKeq7YJlXdOBw64q3IVXNhQTuxTLSCdseWAwNNT4GtkZSRvhZJvZbWc7yQT8Lanl3N50aVPEV72NoiRRdGTB4YavitZW0pAfBEYW0cG1ifzkU27E/s1600/1.20+Sue+checking+out+the+Pacific+Ocean+-+just+back+up+a+bit+more+Sue.JPG) |
Sue checking out the water - just back up a bit more |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbONDx-Q-LplORRTU6_xbYTeG41quuXkXRSHSOchaxJSE20vzn7HeZm_E1dTPyMN2Y6AtjN3GL_m2Xll02R4_lnrh6iGAikLQ3asm1-Hc5pSGoMUAQl8dIt0iCAUltWqsugJ-dL76p94n/s1600/1.21+Oops+...+too+far.JPG) |
Oops ... too far |
Just
kidding. The second one is a surfer
heading out.
One
last stop before heading back to Waikiki.
The old Dole Plantation. There
are still some crops grown here but it is predominantly a tourist attraction –
train rides, giant maze, restaurant and (surprise, surprise) a gift store. Managed to resist all the pineapple-styled
gifts on offer but not the pineapple whip.
Yes, even on top of that big lunch.
Waddled back to bus and headed back to Waikiki and a well deserved dip
in the water.
Wednesday
was Sue’s birthday so we celebrated by attending a luau. Yay, more food. More importantly though, several cocktails
and lots of nice young men performing on stage.
Okay, there were some young women too but who looks at them when it’s
your birthday.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc651slMT3b1ueHAGE28TQR65ejHa73wBLariNU9fGz-oRClGXmeJq0TDzk2Tl7gxEzM9thp7UJwJ_jIaYKr82HgI0P7yUvOkW3Oyi9W2zIKOSNcWYmv0n3MGykVyyIMSMKhEn8OKcimtz/s1600/1.25+What's%2Bnot%2Bto%2Blove%2Babout%2Bbeing%2Bgreeted%2Blike%2Bthis.jpg) |
What's not to love about being greeted like this |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguyfu1at0hE8vwd5tblyrP4TW0VaEMIndueJaH2WgRnb7-cFeepAZYbcwZ24EB0GjdYZJf0mdNOBIi1HEA_8daMRYYrLX1aUdKlfiLqFfG2iVc9wVGg4S3Qu6Q0i8-DdkKoXdoI3AUg8U1/s1600/1.26+Climbing+coconut+tree.JPG) |
Climbing a coconut tree |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMgXSzf0DtloZJNU7X1y8xrO6QUK-ZpgklnttSKmV86dY3UuKQUmkx3uz4A5fd3mexCwK5VXn7z4p5luVguO2EU9AvGGAt44b-xX9NYfH1O2fdGkEJsdZI1GkyEyJ2QuLzlqWc5xjOSVM/s1600/1.27+A+little+bit+of+home.jpg) |
A little bit of home in Hawaii |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dT7G4ETxbWRtpH-N_nEsFNUtyQZLf11z_y_-TPzEDznv6B6qxzg-4Xw95Dsyk_chrlQdLOZgdAb6atAJxYZyK6JzOsX54RyaZ3eSNGCPrNJ6hyphenhyphenSVyL-KolyffGrtrhK7i8z4jdtq1Cv2/s1600/1.28+Bring+on+the+dancing+boys.JPG) |
Bring on the dancing boys |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaB0SsTLVUy_QAfKf2edDHVNdQDWgEcO-kle_J6V41sJr8T6V-1sYcPeozLSkkq9OrXcnTMiC4qQsXSkjD290AsY6NreZhCEgqzKxjCVLKlpvVrl0xXBDz_3qF8mt5FadaG8bsY0zjWQA/s1600/1.31+Fire+dancer+from+Samoa.JPG) |
Fire dancer from Samoa |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuGVtXi0EUYIlh7yX4GYdzAq6wqKNPP4_ityYK9TjWhrklJTzJM5FhVzBM7hYwOkr_vlI7aFBWJe-zhjQ7IB1Be1NaG2mXBDOrvxjl9FtshUi87dh37HobZyqK7XmUNW_TfeedjrcPEk6/s1600/1.29+Front+row+seating+was+a+bonus.JPG) |
Front row seating was a bonus |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3WqwZktO_sxAzf89pyX6Vg4oE4anefwmkJu9BsX8nKFGpEywXmOVeJ2x63lNeSi7dUoQZZT-_l-Amv0XyuKsdSviw-I-lLf4-R1K9fBrr_o9LZpDfhAtkWEmgahoiQBsS_q_U8vcbinl/s1600/1.30+Cocktails+are+beginning+to+take+effect.JPG) |
Cocktails are beginning to take effect |
Our
last day of playing tourist was spent at Pearl Harbour absorbing some of the
history. Had a wander around the
exhibits then took a boat out to the USS Arizona Memorial then continuing on to
the USS Missouri. All of you WWII buffs
will know that the Missouri wasn’t in Pearl Harbour at the time of the
bombing. It was the vessel where the Japanese
surrender was signed and, after it was decommissioned for the second time, it
was decided that Pearl Harbour would be a fitting final resting place.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGDCpkoWgYO-v0I1GRAhxxyokhX2lGjcBkOzWkfv4ZNIe8zWUZTcWC4TIB7MM57bLFalDUAktVIUSMZ4CVLPGkk473pZzqO-dD-bIzt1sH6J8jE4MwNOajSm6F5LzCFU8J0MFaIjhD9uq/s1600/1.32+USS+Arizona+Memorial.JPG) |
USS Arizona Memorial - all but 3 of the ships bombed were put back into service during WWII |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2nGe8FSZvz_sBw4NF1HSFQpsKhh_ZZTtYfk9zyr9Ql4iJzTb4N4EAosb6pfv8lJHZLrhRbGhsba2YsBKgciiokf39Bbe2OJKuo3bq5EKHEXeW65ilZBFtA-HcqeJuS6kHlu_25f8Y3e_/s1600/1.33+USS+Missouri_NEW.jpg) |
USS Missouri |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDnF-bydO1kSeIsYW3M7lWMVFBtRJYbFVhiJU7TYRAKBexx9lXVKmM1mfWCHWVJCw06sYaEu_3_LKQtQALkzkl4DezPdIR60lTs_pZRCYEDW1bMht8WGu6wLogK-251d4PIu1BpKDfqis/s1600/1.34+16''%2Bguns%2C%2BUSS%2BMissouri.JPG) |
The 16" guns on the USS Missouri |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-LPyXW6a-HvoYA_fvA2-fNMtrrQ4esxkESRUxUU2o-dKA9-6MLY6VVLAsS-rgmUH7GHlJNQkxo5tyv-FLUL9MowbJBSleGjLWP3h1YbHYI-ZcgmavXnkIU7p5fIpMZLelAgHJL430SWt/s1600/1.35+Dent+where+a+kamikaze+plane+hit+-+luckily+for+the+Missouri+the+bombs+didn't%2Bexplode.JPG) |
Dent where a kamikaze plane hit - luckily for the Missouri the bombs didn't explode |
We decided to spend our
last day relaxing at the spa at the Hawaii Hilton, so relax we did before the
long flight back home. Before we know it
we’re back in Napier. Where on earth did
that year go???
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZ6XvSx4AVnNWAOFEL2x5XqK5x45X3UFy5SNarLidbPWPEUZcKZ8VAEJIPBO_WSXykmBse85zhbgJbf34Xex-oSXrDKsDu6zi4whpGCqsLIVQcqNvGnXkWSl4f9K9WzdsqbLcnRHSjdkx/s1600/1.36+Napier+arrival.jpg) |
Napier arrival - thanks for meeting us in Auckland Angelica & Glenda and for Mum, Dan, Graeme & Wally being there in Napier |