Re: Around the world with Traveller
We just got back from our cruise from Vancouver, BC to New Zealand via LA, Maui, Oahu, the Big Island, American Samoa, Western Samoa and, Fiji. A really great trip, again on Holland America.
Before I get into the meat of the post, let me say that I read another post about Holland America being good particularly if you're over sixty. Well, that is a bit true but you will meet others if you get into the right venues. Although I am 63 now, I tend to hang with a younger group. They are generally easy to find since one of my first activities to get to is a Volley Ball game. That brings out a group of folks from their twenties to the seventies but all are in reasonably good shape and act like thirty to forty year old people. Friends are quickly made here and that makes for a much better cruise.
Now to the cruise itself:
LA was just a stop to pick up additional passengers. After they arrived the population was about 75% Americans, 20% Canadians and 5% other nationalities.
Hawaii was great, as usual. We rented a car at Lahaina and drove to road to Hana. A wild ride with many hairpin turns and one lane bridges. I would much rather been driving a sports car that the rented sedan but it was still a great ride. Average speed, about 18 MPH for the trip and I tend to be a fast driver! The scenery is extraordinary. Good stop is at mile marker 16. Cut off to Keanae and follow the road to the end for great views and photo ops. There is also a Fruit Stand that sells cold drinks, good chili dogs and banana bread. You will need a break from the winding road at about this point. We then proceeded on to the Hana Lava Tubes. A most interesting walk through a long old lava tube. The owner supplies power lanterns and a flood light too for taking pictures of the inside. The tunnel is dark, except for those lights you carry until you get to a huge rock that blocked the lava's path. Here the lava shot upward, making a large hole that is still there and that lets some light in. You then duck under the rock and proceed on a few hundred more feet where you can explore a side tunnel caused by a lava back-up. Takes about an hour to explore all together. We talked with the owner for a while. It seems he bought the property when it came up for sale about 11 years ago and he cleaned out debris (cow bones) from an old slaughter house that used the tubes for their garbage pit! That evening we went to a "cirque d solei" (sp) type show in Lahaina. If you do this show, book it through the Internet and save money over the ships tour that does the same thing! Good local show too.
Hilo, The Big Island - Unfortunately, it rained, on and off during that day. We did rent a car and go to the Volcanoes National Park (second time there) and drove around the crater. The prior time we went to the end of the lava field near the sea and walked the lava fields as far as permitted. Very interesting formations and quite a strenuous walk.
Oahu, Honolulu - We have been there a few times before and so we jut took a walk into and around town. One thing I would strongly recommend is the Cultural Center. It describes the history of most South Seas Islands and their culture with song and dances for each. Interestingly, it is run by the Mormons and the majority of the staff comes from the local college. A bit of a ride out of Honolulu but worth the trip. Don't skimp on the time as you could easily spend a full day there and barely see it all. Pearl Harbor and the Arizona are also worth the time and effort. I'm not sure how much time you will need for that since the last time we visited that site was before 9/11. I'm sure there is much tighter security now.
In a day or two, I'll post again on our next two stops at American and Western Samoa.