Live-- “Eh” to “G’day” – Vancouver to Sydney on Radiance 2014

[AussieVisi2r]

Friday 19th September

Cruise Day 8 – Kaiua-Kona,, Hawaii.

(Sorry there are a huge amount of photos for this day!!!!)

 

The sail into Kona, on the Big Island was lovely.

 

 

I left Dad on board today – he doesn’t love tendering (and did need a quiet day after yesterday. The tender process was very smooth – although it is VERY enhanced by being D+ and having priority. You go up to the concierge lounge and are escorted down to the front of the line.

 

 

 

I went and got my hire car. Today’s car was from Enterprise and I was very happy with them. The shuttle bus was very prompt and took me up to the depot. The guy serving me told me “Good news – you get a free upgrade. The Bad news it a van”. Oh well. Then he gave me my ‘van’. A new Chrysler Town and Country. Great to drive. They also do a great deal for cruise ship booking. You can agree to pay for 3 gallons of fuel at the standard rice – not the $6.80 that most places charge if they fill up for you. That is the average that cruisers use to see the main sites. So much better than running around to find a ‘gas station’.

 

 

 

[AussieVisi2r]

I headed off to Turtle Beach aka Kahaluu to snorkel and had a lovely time. “Will I see Turtles I wondered.”

 

Well - not until I touched the water, anyway. One was there in about 300mm of water. Didn’t even need to get in to see it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had a lovely time. Snorkelled around for about 60 minutes. I DID get to snorkel with turtles.The water temperature was sensational!

[AussieVisi2r]

I drove further down the road using the old navigation trick of “water to the left, mountain to the right”. That way I got to see as much coast as I could.

 

I saw a road heading off with a booth and headed in. As I was driving up I though that the booth was a long way back.

 

 

“How would I reach to pay my entrance fee?”

“Which National Park am I at” I asked.

“Private Residence” says the guard.

“Oh, which resort is it?”

“Private Residence” says the guard.

“Oh, Wow, who lives here?”

“Private Residence” says the guard.

“You can turn around there”.

 

This place was so fancy. Two guards at the booth and many acres of manicured lawns. I wonder who did live there???? Guess I shall never know.

 

 

I was cruising down the main road but it stopped as it had been destroyed by lava and there was a detour. I saw a really cool Labrador enjoying a day out.

 

 

 

 

I didn’t really feel that I was climbing up hill for the next while, but suddenly I was at the top of a good sized mountain with a fantastic outlook over the ocean. The drive down the other side was very steep and winding. But fine. There were driveways running off to houses. Each one had a sign saying “Danger, steep decent” and the drive just dropped away. Totally. Must have been a 45 degree drop off!!!

 

 

[AussieVisi2r]

I then drove further down the coast which was very pretty for a stop at Kealakekua National Park.

 

 

The site where the first westerner, Captain James Cook, landed on Hawaii’s Big Island. Cook was the first British explorer to establish contact with the Hawaiian Islands in 1778 on Kauai. Only a year later, he was killed in a skirmish with native Hawaiians here. Since good old James Cook is fairly important to us Aussie I thought I had better have a look.

 

Very pretty – but I don’t think the beach was worth dying for. Silly Capt. Cook.

 

 

[AussieVisi2r]

I found a stunning little road narrow and twisty to start through the housing area

 

 

then – very narrow and straight. Many people stopped and turned back. It went through the old lava fields running parallel to the coast – dead straight!

 

 

It was bizarre. I could have been in a sci-fi movie. There is no way they could build anything on it so all the services were just lying on the ground in black pipes.

 

 

Nature was doing its thing and SLOWLY beginning the reclamation process of regeneration. It will be millennium before this has broken down to the fantastic red volcanic soil that Hawaii is so famous for.

 

 

Along the road were huge chunks of lava that had been broken up to build the road. It was great to stop and get a good look at it.

 

 

But I didn’t feel the need to take a sample. No bad luck for me thanks!

[AussieVisi2r]

Then I did get to the National Park I was looking for.

 

Pu'Uhonan O Honannan National Park. Pu'uhonua, is a place of refuge. The Pu'uhonua protected the kapu (law) breaker, defeated warriors, as well as civilians during the time of battle. No harm could come to those who reached the boundaries of the place of refuge.

 

 

 

 

 

Another stunningly beautiful place.

 

This is one of the places where the lava flowed into the ocean – and was quiet surreal to be walking on it and imagining the massive battle of these two titanic forces of lava and the ocean meeting.

 

 

 

 

Have I mentioned that my daughter (my usual travelling companions) is Volcaphoic (Actually called Ifestíophobia). Like seriously. As a kid and teenager she could not watch anything about volcanoes. She has never managed to watch Dante’s Peak or Volcano. At 24 has only just managed the Dr Who set in Pompeii. We always joked that she was killed at Pompeii in a previous life. When doing a Med cruise a few years ago, standing on a point in Sicily the guide said “look, Etna is erupting” (the start of the big eruption). Sarah looked up – started to shake, and collapsed. Mean mother while holding her and consoling her was looking over her shoulder in wonder at the erupting volcano!!! So seeing the volcanoes has been a long time wish of mine!!!!! Sorry I digress!

 

 

I then climbed back up the mountain (in the car) and headed back, dropped the car and onto the ship.

[AussieVisi2r]

Now here is one of my travel trips. Do you all know about caching Google maps on your smart phones????

 

When you have wifi – open google maps. The map will have the flashing blue dot showing where you are. If you tap the ‘i’ button on the bottom right of the screen, then tap ‘Drop a pin’. That marks the spot - for example of the car hire place, your hotel or whatever.

 

And the end of your days adventures EVEN WITH NO WIFI open google mps and look at the map and you can find your way back. The blue dot – your current location’ will move as you move. Go towards your dropped pin! It is brilliant.

 

[AussieVisi2r]

A large group of us went to Chops tonight. It was great fun.

After reading all the doom and gloom about the new Chops menu I was not looking forward to it as much as I normally do.

 

 

 

Well……I am confused. Sure there is an up charge for the big steak – but there is so much that is included in the price! And all my favourites were still there – some a bit enhanced. It was still brilliant. I don't usually like 'Food Porn' photos as the food never looks great....but oh well.

 

 

The scallops were fantastic, more vegie dishes, the desert are a more sensible size. The meat dishes were all still huge.

 

 

 

 

Another sensational day on Radiance of the Seas.

 

[dancinman66]

You really have some great photos thanks

Keep it cominf

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[h20cruzer]

I am really enjoying your review and pictures. Makes me feel like I am on a cruise.

Norma

[impatientlywaiting]

Hi Raina

Thank you for doing this live review, it is awesome. We are planning on doing this cruise next year.

 

If you do private excursions in Bora Bora, Moorea and Papeete would you mind sharing the costs of these? Also is it possible to debark the ship at each of the ports and head to a beach and go snorkelling and arrange tours at the wharf/once on shore? TIA

 

We did the Sydney to Hawaii cruise in 2009 and our private excursion in Bora Bora was the best excursion I've EVER taken. There were 34 of us and we did Patrick Tairua's lagoon tour, snorkeling and with lunch at the cost of $100 per person. We spent the entire day with him. We snorkeled a reef, then fed the stringrays, then swam with the black tip reef sharks and finally had an authentic Polynesian lunch prepared by Patrick's family at his private lagoon! Here's his info: http://www.maohinui.net/en/a-propos-de-maohinui/item/42-patrick-tairua

 

This is a can't miss private excursion! :D

[lemonade-sails]

Love it! My favorite photos are your selfies 😊. So great to read about your adventures. Can't wait for more.

[PCWalton1]

Don't let this trip end, I am enjoying your wonderful photos too much. :D

[cruise love]

Don't let this trip end, I am enjoying your wonderful photos too much. :D

 

 

Love Love your photos and blog I don't want it to end either

 

I just want to be with you

 

Cruise Love

[jensue1]

Thanks so much for taking the time to post this review. I have really enjoyed reading it and the amazing photos. I will be joining you tomorrow in honolulu for the leg back to Sydney. :)

[Miamia65]

We did the Sydney to Hawaii cruise in 2009 and our private excursion in Bora Bora was the best excursion I've EVER taken. There were 34 of us and we did Patrick Tairua's lagoon tour, snorkeling and with lunch at the cost of $100 per person. We spent the entire day with him. We snorkeled a reef, then fed the stringrays, then swam with the black tip reef sharks and finally had an authentic Polynesian lunch prepared by Patrick's family at his private lagoon! Here's his info: http://www.maohinui.net/en/a-propos-de-maohinui/item/42-patrick-tairua

 

This is a can't miss private excursion! :D

 

Thanks Anita, I will check this out.

[AussieVisi2r]

Love Love your photos and blog I don't want it to end either

 

I just want to be with you

 

Cruise Love

 

Don't worry. Remember the name of the blog is "Eh to G'day" I'm here till Sydney. You have me for 18 more night.

 

Raina

[shipshape sam]

How are you enjoying and handling the length of your trip/cruise. Are you into a routine?

 

We have done a 15 day cruise 3 times. Want to try to add another 15 day to in via a B2B cruise maybe.

[AussieVisi2r]

Saturday 20th September

Cruise Day 9 – Kailani, Maui, Hawaii.

 

Once again there was a very pretty sail into another lovely island, this time Kailani.

 

 

 

 

 

It is a tender port, so much the same as yesterday. A rest day for Dad and me collecting a car and heading off. Capt. Wendy was overseeing the tender today and the rescue boats were out training.

 

 

I didn’t see any drops into the water but I did see the rescue boat approaching the ship, and in less than 30seconds was on its way up into the air! Impressive.

 

 

 

Edited September 22, 2014 by AussieVisi2r

[AussieVisi2r]

The port area was right in the heart of the tourist shops with lots of tour people touting for business. But it did appear that most of the tours were either booked out by the ship or strangely left at 7am, were sunset tours etc. Not really useful to day trippers. I suppose they got enough money from regular tourists and didn’t need to cater to the ships.

 

 

I collected my car from Dollar, after waiting more than 30 minutes and calling twice for the shuttle bus. By the time it arrived they had a large group of not so happy people. Check in out the cars was not so great either. The hire cars were all a long way from the dock as well. But I finally got my car – well over an hour from the time I went to the designated spot. Wasn’t a huge issue today – but if I had a big day planned it would have been – especially if I had to return to the dock to collect people as well. My plan today was to drive and look at things. I basically drove north keeping as close to the water as possible.

 

There was a lot of amazingly stunning coast line. It made for many stops.

 

 

 

I stopped at a path of Banyan trees that were stunning.

 

 

I drove through a fancy estate with golf course, incredibly manicured streets etc.

 

 

A ‘jungle’ path to the beach.

 

Edited September 23, 2014 by AussieVisi2r

[AussieVisi2r]

 

 

 

 

Edited September 23, 2014 by AussieVisi2r

[AussieVisi2r]

And a Great Blowhole.

 

 

And something that I never want to see in action - The Tsunami Warning System.

 

 

The road was a twisty, narrow-ish road. Not nearly as bad as the descriptions in all the tour books etc. If you plodded along (maybe 25 mph) it was fine. It is NOT a loop road. You cannot drive around the island. At first it was annoying that all the stops were on the other side of the road. In hind site I would have driven straight then done my stops on the way back.

 

 

I saw a Mongoose scuttle across the road. This is not my photo. BUT I did see an Indian Grey Mongoose. About the size of a Blue Tongue Lizard but incredible smooth low action as it ran. And almost a green colour as it ran out of the jungle. Looked very like a lizard at first.

 

And Chooks (That's the Aussie word for Chickens.) Chooks EVERYWHERE.

 

 

I was taking photos at one point and thought “it must be hot, the lens of my underwater camera (which takes great landscapes) had fogged up. Sadly I realized the fogging up was on the inside! Not from the parts that can let water in ie the battery/card flap, but fogging in the SEALED part of the camera – or should I say ‘not so sealed part’.

 

 

 

Sad!!!

[AussieVisi2r]

I stopped at a large supermarket. I love doing that and getting a feel for the place. The pineapples were amazing looking! And the prices of grog (alcohol) were cheap enough to make any Australian weep. SO cheap. Easily half of what we pay.

 

There is an old fort close to the port.

 

 

And THE most amazing Banyan Trees. This one is the oldest one in the world - or biggest or something.

 

 

 

All in all a great day. I did forgive the car rental place (I was thinking that maybe a car was not a good idea – but what I saw was stunning).

 

I went back to Chops again this night to try a few more things. LOL.

[AussieVisi2r]

How are you enjoying and handling the length of your trip/cruise. Are you into a routine?

 

We have done a 15 day cruise 3 times. Want to try to add another 15 day to in via a B2B cruise maybe.

 

Hi,

 

On a trip like this I end up with TWO different routines. One for Sea Days and one for port days. Sea days are very busy also with trivia, lectures, nanna nap :D, some exercise :mad:, lounge in the evenings etc. It is hard to fit it all in. I find it hard to fit meals in, being more of grazer, but I really should feed Dad;)!

 

Shore days are more rushing around.

 

Life is excellent!!

 

Raina

[AussieVisi2r]

 

Tell us more about your new knees. How long ago did you have them done, if you don't mind me asking. I am facing replacements sometime and really need to know that life will improve at some point in the post operative phase.

 

I had both knees replaced last May. They were very bad and I had pain ALL the time! Yes I had them both done at the same time. There is NOTHING nice about having it done but it was very necessary.

They are not brilliant now - but I only have discomfort sometimes and they are very stiff when I first stand up (for 5 or 6 steps). But overall a huge improvement.

My big tip would be, if your thinking of having it done. Get a cycle machine and start working on the quads now! The cyclists recover so quickly!!!

 

Raina