Kahului, Maui

Hello from Maui!

This morning’s photo yet again was from my balcony. Another early start to the day for me. 

6 AM view

I thought about going back to sleep, but when a day like this awaits you it’s hard to climb back into bed.

Although I didn’t go to a beach I did have a good day, even if it wasn’t exciting. Today I repeated what I did in Kahului earlier this year.

First up, Guri Guri. For a 10 AM breakfast? You betcha.

Then to Round Table Pizza for a pepperoni and garlic pizza for an 11 AM lunch.

A noon phone call with my daughter as I people watched - and sky watched.

A stop at Whole Foods for some browsing and snack purchasing.

Can you imagine walking out of your Whole Foods and seeing this view?

Then it was time for the long haul back to the port. Kahului is a working port so it’s complicated to get in and out of. I took pictures of the path on the way back to the ship. I did forget to take the first picture, but after the first turn here’s where you’ll be going to get back. If it looks like a lot of turns and narrow paths, it is. 

This part of the path was new.

It was a very warm day today so I was happy to be tucked in my nice air-conditioned cabin for the afternoon and evening. I even caught the sun slipping behind the mountain. 

Tomorrow we’ll be in Hilo, our last port in Hawaii. See you there!

Nawiliwili, Kauai

Hello from Kauai!

Golf anyone?

Because I was just here a few months ago - and because it was such a great day then - I decided to duplicate it today.

I’m coming your way!

I made sure to be out of the cabin and on my way so I could make it to the Koi feeding at the Royal Sonesta resort at 10 AM. I made it with plenty of time to spare. They have little cups of food so anyone who wants to do the feeding can. So I did.

One new thing I discovered today was a shortcut to the gardens. Usually I push my scooter up this hill. But today I found it’s not necessary as a little farther down the path is an elevator. And you don’t have to be a guest at the hotel to use it.

I perused the grounds, checking to see if any different flowers were blooming in the fall compared to when I was here in the spring. There were a few flowers, but mostly I found lots of different colors in the foliage.

 

The grounds are just gorgeous, no matter the time of year.

As is the pool area.

I spent some time on the beach and then right at 10:45 I went over to Duke’s for drinks and lunch. Multiple Mai Tais and a cheeseburger kept me busy for a few hours.

After lunch I went back to the beach. I like that the grass is firm and compact and I can take my scooter on it.

The extra time soaking in the sun had me ready for more refreshment. On the way back to the ship I stopped at the shave ice place where I stopped last year and had the exact same one I had last year.

I sat in the breezeway in a comfy chair and ate almost all of it. And yes, it was much better than yesterday‘s shave ice at the Ala Moana Center.

It was another great day in Hawaii.

Tonight’s sunset

Tomorrow we’re in Maui. See you there!

Honolulu, Hawaii

Hello from Honolulu! Somehow I was awake before sunrise as the ship made its way into port.

I’m not sure why I was up so early. Ed and I have been here plenty of times and have done a lot of the touristy things so I really had no need to do any of that today. But there was one place I hadn’t been to before, the outdoor, four level, open air Ala Moana Center Mall. 

I took the city bus to the mall ($3 cash) and made my way to a place I’ve been intending to go for the last couple years. Jollibee’s chicken. One regular and one spicy made me realize I will never choose spicy chicken there again. The spiciness of this spicy Filipino fried chicken was just too much for this gal.

There’s a reason there are flames on the little flag.
Heed the warning.

I also made a visit to See’s Candies. I didn’t actually go inside but just took pictures for my daughter who happened to start her new job at See’s at the very same moment. Not in Hawaii though. She might have a little shop envy because this location is at least four times (or more) as big as her mall location.

I did go inside Big Island Candies for their free samples, though. I wound up buying a small box of macadamia nut shortbread cookies dipped in milk chocolate. Oh my goodness, they are amazing! (Don’t tell my husband because they will probably be gone before I get home.)

A Rocky Road sample and a 
macadamia nut shortbread sample

I also stopped at the ABC store and Longs and picked up coffee for my husband and a new sticker and keychain for the scooter. Then I made my way to the back corner of Macy’s to visit Liliha Bakery.

So many choices, but I chose an apple malasada and a blueberry scone to save for tomorrow’s breakfast. Except I ate the malasada for dinner. Oops.

There must be more than a pound of filling in there.

I made my way up, down, in, out, and around the mall. That thing is huge! 

Glad they had pictures and not just words.

They’re starting to deck it out for Christmas, too.

Here’s an interesting concept for corn dogs. I passed on it.

I didn’t pass on trying to get a shave ice though. This one was more snow cone-ish so I’ll have to get my real shave ice tomorrow.

And you can’t come to Hawaii without having a Mai Tai or two. I had mine at Mai Tai’s on the fourth floor.

And I wasn’t done yet. Across the street from the Ala Moana Center is the Ala Moana Beach Park. It’s a quiet area, but the best part for me was it had a pathway I could drive my scooter on to get closer to the beach.

I sat there on my scooter quite a while just taking it all in.

I even saw a couple taking their wedding photos down the beach.

Another $3 bus ride had me back to the ship by late afternoon. It was such a fun day, and I’m so thankful I had my scooter to help make it happen.

We don’t leave here until late tonight, and with the bright full moon and warm temperatures it’s a great evening to sit on my balcony and watch and listen to the busyness of the city. 

Tomorrow we’re in Nawiliwili on the island of Kauai. See you there!