Cruise Epiloge

OK, we've been back for a few days and we did like the cruise, but we would much prefer to be in one place and enjoy it than go from port to port. Since we had never done a cruise , it was a new experience and nice, but maybe no more in the future.

It was wonderful to be able to be with our Kids on their special day. Not a bad deal for us Okies to be able to go to Hawaii for a granddaughter's wedding. Loved it!

I did finally get all of our Christmas cards done as of today, Dec 29th & we got through Christmas day & all the gifts, but failed to get up all of our trees & my Coca-Cola Village. Next trip to Hawaii? Maybe in 2012..it's off to Italy in 2011.

Waikiki

ALOHA to all you "Mainlanders!" We're still in Hawaii, but leave this eve at 8:00..hope the Harrah weather is ok for an easy drive home and then up to Stillwater for a Cowboys Game Tuesday eve. It's not raining at this moment but a little cloudy, but of course, warm. Our big decision for the morning..do we go to the Shore Bird for a buffet breakie or just to the Galaxy for a lighter fair? We need to pack & make sure of the 50 lb limit & of course, check out by noon & store our stuff. Yea! We didn't have to store the bags..Felesa talked ($) them into letting us stay in their room until 7:00. So we take our stuff up there & go out for some shopping & eating. I sneak off by myself & KK goes with the others. OK, now we're back together & me & the Mrs go down the street to the Tiki Grill & Bar for a nice quiet meal & some mai tai's-what's the capitol of North Dakota?(Nate-our waiter- doesn't have a clue what it is.) Back up to the room via Kuhio Street & shower and get re-packed and weighed..we're OK! I did go back down to the Big Hotel ( the Kuilanai), where their Chef had prepared & set up a huge Christmas scene, using ginger bread, chocolate & white frosting (130 lbs) quite amazing! A couple of trains, circus tent, ski lift and many buildings, including the Royal Hawaiian Palace. Now we've checked out & waiting in the lobby for our transfer to the airport-the Roberts Shuttle Bus! United at 11:00 to Denver & onto OKC by 1:00 pm. See ya back on the cul-de-sac. No problem with the weather in OKC & we made it home by 2:00, unpacked, went thru the mail & headed off to the Haws for a trip to GIA & Poke hoops--we win! Maui Mike

Rain in Paradise

Sunday, Dec 19th..I'm up at 7:30, put on the coffee, put KK's coke in the freezer & look outside to see rain coming down pretty good. KK's up about 8:40 and now it's really raining, so we'll have to get thru it to breakie at the Galaxy & the 3.95 specials, but it's not too far up the street. I do some blogging as the wifi is back, look at e-mails & just catch up with life a little. The breakie is good & then we shop a little in the "Market" before coming back up to the room to watch Dem Stillers (Steelers) loose a close one to the Jets..damn'! see ya in a bit. Well, it rained all day and there were even some flash flood warnings on the TV. We survived as we blogged, shopped, ate, drank our way around Waikiki, but no beachtime, altho we did see some locals headed for the surf. A late afternoon Happy Hour stint at Jimmy Buffett's & a walk thru of the Royal Hawaiian Center, where some shops had sandbagged their entries! The rest of our crew went out to dinner at Duke's, but we opted out & just had a local pannini sandwich. Back to room for some blogging & massive noises from upstairs..sounds like a Basketball game is going on! Maybe the rain will pass on out and we can have a little sunshine on Monday, our last day here in the Islands. The BIG bus will pick us up this eve at 8:00. Mahalo

With my Honolulu Mama

Saturday, Dec 18th...a wake up call for 7:05 & here we are in the Honolulu Harbor. We're all packed and ready to disembark, so off we go to breakie for the last time on this cruise & the rear deck is packed, as no other places are serving. They have to get the ship ready for the next cruise , which departs this eve at 7:00, with over 600 kids scheduled to be on board. (Merry Christmas! or Mele Kalikimaka!) We have to go up to the pool area to get a spot & Felesa even comes up. Back to the rooms to get our stuff & meet on deck 5 where we will depart. We're the last ones off the ship as we are in no hurry to get to our hotel, so we get in line for a taxi & eventually get two for a short ride to Waikiki, and our Aqua Wave Hotel. Not too bad, only 15 bucks to get there, but Felesa doesn't have her favorite room, so she begs & finally gets it..1505, on the top overlooking Kuhio St. All of the bags are taken there, after some other difficulties & off to the beach we go. Thru the International Market and some haggling, but I stop to see a local group sing a few Christmas songs & Hawaiian songs too. The guitarist is really good! (But a hula to White Christmas?) A few tunes and I head on to the beach & our favorite spot in front of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Put on some serious sunscreen, go into the ocean, have a dog or two & just people watch. A little cloudy today but good waves & lots of boarders & surfers out in the blue Pacific. Back to the hotel to get into our room...913...and some serious blogging & e-mailing. Cleanup & head out to shop a little before ending up at Jimmy's Buffett's Margaritaville at the Beachcomber and some wings, drinks and a Cheeseburger in Paradise! About an hour later the rest of the crew shows up & it starts all over again and about 230 dollars later we're out of there. Out onto Kalakaua Ave to watch the mass of humanity and even a large group of Santas walking around drinking. We shopped a little, watched a little & ended up at the room about 10:30 & no wifi..yuk. No posting but I did write in my journal for later posting. See ya in the morning..not too early however.

Kauai-last day

Friday, Dec 17th..A short day here on Kaua'i, so we're up early for breakie & whale watches. We go up to our favorite spot & I decide to have waffles & french toast today & here's Geoff & KK. A little whale activity, but not too exciting yet. KK has cereal & some pineapple. back to the room & me & the Mrs go off the ship and walk over to the shops nearby & a very nice beach too. Lots of surfers, paddlers & sunbathers. We're back on board by 11:30 & ready for the 2:00 departure. We're going to leave while there's plenty of daylight to see the Napali Coast & the massive sea cliffs. It's a very slow cruise around the south side of the Isle & lots of whales & dolphins about. We're on the port side and great views of the island & a few small crafts, which get a loud horn from our ship-GIT OUT THE WAY! Around the Princeville area to the start of the Coast. Meanwhile, Geoff & Justin sign up for the "Bar Crawl"-30 or so people who walk/crawl to 5 different bars an have drinks at each one, cheering loudly as they go-did I say obnoxious? they do survive to see the Napali Coast-what views! And then the hot tub for a soothing end of the day. the ship then turns around for some more views and heads slowly for Honolulu. back to the Aloha Deck for the buffet for catfish cakes, jambalayla, fried rice & ice cream with cherry cobbler! Now we have to go back to the room & pack, but we also work in Pink's lounge and some piano tunes.

Nawiliwili..n'nat

Thursday, Dec 16th...docked in Nawiliwli Harbor on Kauai, the Garden Isle. A nice morning & up to the Aloha Deck for breakie & viewing of quite a few whales off the shore. Geoff & Felesa catch a shuttle for the airport to pick up a rental car, so they can see most of the island. After breakfast & whale viewing we leave the ship so Geoff can drop us (Mike & KK) at Kayak Wailua, a 4 1/2 hour trip on the Isle's longest flowing fresh water river to "Secret Falls" and back. We check in and get instructions from our guide, Nathaniel, the owners son and a 24 yr-old veteran, who surfs, free dives to 60-70 feet & vacations in Tahiti..tough life. He's really good and does the entire trip barefoot, and this includes a 1 mile hike each way over pretty rugged terrain. There's 4 others in our group, a couple from the Seattle area & two girls, a Russian & a local whose husband owns a powered hang glider business (Big Sky Kauai). Off we go on a perfect day and paddle the 2 1/2 miles up river to our drop spot for the kayaks and then hike to the falls...across the river, up the bank and over rocks, around trees & by the way, some fell just behind us on the way out! The falls! A 120' waterfall & we're almost the only ones there. We brought sandwiches & snacks & also go for a swim..very nice! After a bout 45 minutes we hit the trail back to the kayaks, and paddle the 2 1/2 miles back to the ramp & hear a few stories from Nate, mainly explaining the petals in the river from the sea hibiscus, which flowers in the morning, yellow, turns orange, then red & drops off that night. Back at the ramp,, Geoff & company are waiting & off we go for the Poipu, Kohola Town area & the "Spouting Horn" (Blow hole). It's a neat site & lots of people . Back up to the main road & toward the Waimea Canyon, the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" (per Mark Twain). The overlook is about 3400' & what a view! The clouds start to roll in a ruin our view of the neighboring island, Niheau, where only true Hawaiians live. A drive back to airport to drop off the auto & go back to the ship, thru security & cleanup for supper. Where to this eve? The Italian spot, "Little Italy" & some really good Tuscan style food..once again, Felesa is uncomfortable but orders spaghetti. Me, I get the seafood pasta & man is it great! It's a slow night so Justin trys to order garlic toast & they 'll do it! After that, some head up to the Lana'i Bar & some Mai Tai's, but I opt out. KK goes up so Felesa can download the wedding pics from our camera card. Hit the hay about 11:30. See ya tomorrow.

Kona Friends

Wed, Dec 15th. We're currently anchored out in the harbor on the Kailua-Kona side of the Big Isle & the tender boats are off-loading people to the pier. We're up around 7:30 , with breakie on the aft deck and watching for some whales. Here comes Geoff & now KK so we enjoy the morning, and discuss Geoff's injury-it will probly keep him out of the kayak trip tomorrow on Kauai. Next is to get a ticket so we can go ashore & check out Kona. It's a bout a 30 minute process to finally get to the boat-each one holds about 90 people- & only a six-minute ride to the pier. Me & the Mrs are # 524 on the list...don't know how many people will actually leave the boat today. We check on a rental car, but none available so we wait on the others & figure they will want to just stay at the beach. Well, guess not, off we go, shopping in the many shops along this rugged coast, with waves crashing along the sea wall. I have called our friends, Kim & Minnie (my mom's neighbor from Morris, OK), and we will meet up for lunch at the Fish Hopper around 12:30. The rest of the crew heads for Bubba Gump's, since they have prepaid cards. We buy a few things & go off for lunch spots & there's Kim & Minnie! We have a great lunch & a better visit & Minnie tells us she thinks of my mom almost everyday & even has gifts for her & also me & KK (fudge). Back up to the local outdoor market & some serious shopping & looks like no beach time today. Now me & KK need to get to a store and get distilled water for her breather, so we walk up the "hill" to a super market, and back to Hilo Hattie's for a shuttle to the pier & thru security for our tender back to the ship-we leave here at 6:00 this evening, headed for Kauai. Back on the ship, unload our stuff & head to hot tub for some relaxation. I go to the library to blog a little & use up my last 40 minutes..sorry for the delay folks but it was pricey on the ship! Now back to room to clean up for supper-this time to the Skyline Lounge, a sit down, ritzy joint & very nice. Formal waiters, excellent menu, with lobster the main selection tonight, oh & the "no-person" piano. Felesa is a little uneasy, but Justin dives in & orders everything, and eats it!

Hilo Hattie

Dec 14th-Another night at sea & now we're docked in Hilo, the wet side of the Big Island. We've purchased the newly weds an airplane ride over the Island & mainly the lava flows where we are located. But first, breakie on the Aloha deck & some custom omelets & all the trimmings. Nice view of the harbor & some big outriggers anchored & did I say we slept in 'till 8:00! Seems like the coffee machines are always broke, but just move to another. There's a little rain around ,so we hope it lifts for the plane ride. Down to the dock & get a taxi for the airport, where it looks good for the flight..it's neat little 6 seater plane..maybe I should go too! I walk up with them to Iolani Air & get some pics before we go off to downtown Hilo & the farmer's Market, which is much smaller than in '04 when we were here. We do purchase some lovely flower arrangements for our rooms on the ship-$5, and they are beautiful! Felesa gets a call from the kids & they are done with the ride & Ashley got a little sick, so they are back at the ship. We find a little Thai place that has Corona's for 1.75, so we "rest" for a while. Back to the ship via a taxi & have lunch relaxing around the pool at the Key West Bar-burgers, dogs, slaw, fries. Geoff & Felesa go over and ride the gyro, just before lunch & actually live thru it. Some more relaxin' and back to rooms to get ready to ..what else! eat! Now it's supper on the Aloha deck with prime rib being the special of the eve. As this is happening we leave Hilo harbor & head around the SE/SW coast of the Isle to hopefully get a view of the lave flowing into the ocean. everyone is out on deck & as we approach it, it looks like a city, all lite up on the Pali. As a matter of fact, it was a city before the lava engulfed it years ago. It is quite a sight, but no huge waterfall flows into the sea, but spectacular. It has been flowing and erupting since 1984 & we have actually walked in the flows in the past! I am down on deck 12 watching the rest on deck 13 & go even higher, but as they do, Geoff slips & cuts his elbow & it requires 4 stitches & he even passes out on the table while they sew him up, but he does see the lava.The rest of us go into the Lana'i Lounge for some 3.95 Mai Tai's before heading to bed at 10:30. Maybe the ship will rock us to sleep as we travel to the dry side of the Island, Kona..see ya in the bay!

Wailea Wedding

Monday, Dec 13th--ALHOA! one & all! we're still docked on Maui, we're up early to prepare for Ashley & Justin's wedding. I go out to get the rental car & make sure the limo driver shows up. Here comes "cousin Fred" and the Chrysler 300 stretch limo! We all get in and off we go to Kehei to get the license & meet up with the wedding specialists, Colleen & Chris from "Just Mauied". Then off to White Rock Beach just past the Grand Wailea, and it is lovely! Not too many people there yet. Butterflies abound, with 5 Honu's (Hawaiian Sea Turtles) rolling in the surf, just by our shoreline..what a setting! Chris blows the conch shell & the ceremony starts. Colleen conducts it in Hawaiian & English and explains a lot of the local customs while she goes along. It takes about one hour to complete the service, with many pictures being taken by both Chris & myself. All of this right by Clint Eastwood's "other" home. It's a very lovely day & now Justin & Ashley are husband & wife! Mr & Mrs Justin Drew. Back to the limo, we drive around south Maui with a few stops at various places of interest, including the Tropical Plantation. Back to the ship to get the rental car & have lunch before going out to the post office to take care of the legal marriage documents. Up to Paia to watch the big time surfers at Hoopika Beach. A few other spots & return the auto, before heading back to the ship & a great wedding dinner at the Japanese Restaurant-East Meets West- & a special song for the bride & groom, and did I say Dragon Heads! And yes, we ate with sticks! The ship has untied & headed out to sea. Catch ya in Hilo!

The Valley Isle-Maui

Sunday, Dec 12th..docked in Kahului Harbor.
Up at 7:30 & a comfortable sleep & head out for breakie. Up to the aft deck & a buffet spread on the rear of the ship and a great view..sunny & about 75..ahhhh..Custom omlets, bacon, sausage, coffee and all the trimmings. Geoff & me head off to get the rental car & everything is fine until I get to the counter & I have KK's driver's license, so I have to call her and get her to come over with my driver's license. No problem man, we get it done and back to the ship to pick up the rest of the group-aren't cell phones wonderful! Load up & head out for our "Whale Watch Cruise" with the the Pacific Whale Foundation at noon. A little side trip to the Iao Valley State park & what a lovley place! On to the Maui Ocean center & check in & shop. We're on the BIG "CAT", which seats 150 people, but we only have 85 on board. It's early in the season but we hope to see some Humpbacks in the channel on our two hour cruise. Our hosts are great and do a good job of talking about whales & the Islands & finally we see one "logging" -just kind of on the surface and flopping around..a fluke or two (tale in the air) & down she goes. Then a group of 3 playing around & tales & fins..pretty exciting but no breaches. back to the harbor & lunch at Beach Bums Bar where our friend, Justin-from OKC- waits tables & some great BBQ & fish. On toward Lahaina, showing the kids around the Island & stopped traffic! It's a pod of whales just off shore logging around, so I pull over & we get a few pics before going on into Lahiana & a cruise down Front Street & all the sights. We stay on the road and drive onto Kapalua Bay & a beautiful South Pacific sunset at one of our favorite beaches. No time to snorkel so back in the auto toward the ship, but first a stop at Wally! We get some water, pop & oheter goodies before going on to the dock. I drop everyone off & go park the vehicle..about 1/2 mile away....and walk back to help KK carry the stuff onto the ship. Thru security & to our room and just about time for supper. To the Cadillac Diner for fish& chips, burgers & onion rings! Justin tops it off with two strawberry cheesecakes! Wedding tomorrow, so we head off to bed..oh, had to press the wedding dress & other items needed for the bearfoot event.

Wedding cruise-the beginning

ALOHA! Yep, off we go again to the Magic Isles! This time a wedding cruise for our granddaughter, Ashley & the hubby to be, Justin Drew. The other Agans are also going, our son, Geoff & his wife, Felesa. Our friends, the Priddys were supposed to go too, but Mike was hospitalized in Honolulu with a severe ulcer problem & had to cancel. I'll try to let you know how he's doing as his wife, Donna calls often. Once again, it's way to early to get up & to the airport, but we have a 6:30 flight to Denver to start the trip. No problems to Denver or connections. A 7 1/2 hr flight to Honolulu. I slept most of the way & so did KK...thanks to her "patch". Around Oahu & into the airport a little early with a transfer to dock 2 & our BIG ship, "The Pride of America"-2200 guests & 950 crew. The check-in is a long process but we get thru it & onto the boat to our nice "stateroom"( a view of a lifeboat!)- a kingsize bed at least-and then to the Aloha deck for lunch. We have a good variety of food, drinks & ice cream before the mandatory evac drill at 4:30. Out to the pool area for some relaxation, drinks & music & a flotilla of local sailing boats with Xmas lights. The ship casts off at 7:00 & makes a 180 degree turn at the dock and heads out into the Pacific. A short cruise by Waikiki & then a turn back around the island heading for Maui-our first stop. We're feeling a little better & clean up for a dinner at the "Lazy J Steakhouse"-great steaks! Back to the rooms where we finally have all of our bags & off to bed by 10:30-2:30 am for us! See ya in Kahului!!