22 Nov 2017

After the fiasco of flying home from Dublin in July I have been sort of dreading this trip. We
tried and failed to print boarding passes . On the way to spending the night in Tampa for an
early morning flight, we stopped at the 7 Rivers outpatient lab to find it closed for
Thanksgiving. I wanted to get lab work for a visit to Dr. Shinde . Luckily the hospital lab was
open.

Traffic down was the worst we had ever seen, but what was expected for the holiday. When
checking in to the La Quinta, I was told we couldn't leave our car because of some work being
done behind building. The A1 Airport parking was a recommended option but it was full. After
checking later we decided to go on and pay the airport parking fees. It wold be easier than
trying to find out where and how the others were and worked.

For a meal we went next door to IHOP. I ordered a grilled chicken and veggie salad. It came
with bacon so I sent it back for another. It didn't look any thing like the picture or description on
the menu and the chicken had been cooked on the same grill as the bacon. Yuck. When did
bacon become necessary for everything?

Went to bed at ten after taking a Benadryl to help me get to sleep.

23 Nov - Thursday- Thanksgiving Day

Up at 0245 and to the gate by 0400. When boarding the agent made me put my purse in my
carry bag so I would have the two bags allowed. Roger passed with roll on bag, computer
bag, CPAP, and camera bag,

The flight to DFW was a little bumpy but no issues. Flight to HNL was long but no issues
either. The only meal served was yuck. The veggie wrap was mostly sweet potato which I do
not like and have never seen in a wrap before. It was a good thing we had picked up a salad
for the flight. That worked well.

Of all times for our flight to be early. I had purposely left a large time between arriving in
Honolulu and flying to Molokai because of our hassle coming home from Dublin. So, we had a
four hour wait. We used that to figure out where we needed to go. The inter island terminal is
sort of out of all the hustle in an older terminal. There is a shuttle to it but Roger practically ran
through the entire building and then out to get to it. I kept asking what the hurry was and why
we hadn't taken the shuttle. I don't mind walking except when I am dragging 30 pounds of
luggage behind me. Running was totally unnecessary. We checked our big bags then went
back into the main terminal, through security looking for a place to eat.

While having a beer I checked our boarding pass and realized it didn't match our destination.
We shared a chicken quesadilla then went back to figure out the boarding pass. I left the agent
confused because I couldn't understand why it would take three hours, but she assured me we
were on the right track.

In the end it all worked out. We got off at the first stop when we realized we were on Molokai.
We landed under the arc of a rainbow just as the sun was setting. The flight over reminded me
of the last time I was on a plane that size. I had a broken leg and was being evacuated to Dar
Es Salaam. The terrain below was similar but missing the animals. Our ride was waiting at the
airport for a short trip to Hotel Molokai.

The room has seen better days but has everything we need. I opened the door to let in the
fresh air. The only issue is the road noise. A band of three very white men (haoles) were playing
traditional Hawaiian songs. At first I thought they were country western singers because of
their blue plaid shirts.

I was in bed at 2030, exhausted.

24 Nov Friday — My first wake up was about midnight. Then at 0130 and again at 0330. At
0400 the roosters started, at 0500 the traffic, and at 0600 the sprinklers. Don't you just love
time zone travel? I watched the sun rise before we took the shuttle into town for breakfast and
a few groceries. The tour we signed up for turned into quite an adventure. Doreen took us to
Halawa which goes up and down very steeply. On the way out the vehicle started over heating
and we were forced to keep stopping to allow it to cool. All we had seen of the planned
itinerary were a couple of Father Damian churches, waterfalls, and the beach. We did get our
promised lunch which was big enough for dinner, too.

This evening’s sunset was postcard picture perfect. Afterward we had a nice conversation with
a couple of young women who have very similar political views and concerns. They live in
Honolulu and had come for a quick couple of days. Lucky them. I really love to see younger
folks traveling. It is such an eye opener and if more people left their comfort zones, maybe we
would have less polarizing views.

25 Nov Sat - Slept pretty well. Up early to see sunrise but clouds were in the way. Talked with
a young couple from CA. They have been to all the islands and think this one is the most laid
back. Started on the final leg of our tour in same van which broke down a few miles away. A
young couple on way to airport stressed because they were missing their flight. Doreen went
into airport and straightened out situation so they wouldn't have to pay more for a later flight.
Hope it worked out for them. Flying is so stressful and things like that don't help.

There wasn't much left of the tour except Kalaupapa Lookout which is above the old leper
colony. It was a good view with a double rainbow and a strong wind.

When we came back to hotel we hung out in the uncruise tent all afternoon, meeting some of
our fellow passengers. A group of dancers gave a hula performance. There were three older
women and I thought maybe Mandy, Jeri, and I should take up dancing. It would be great
exercise. By 1730 we were on board. The evening was noisy with all the conversations, food
was good, and I had a mai tai which did a great job of putting me to sleep.

Hotel Molokai

Aroma wafts in the breeze

Frangipani fall

26 Nov Sunday — All passengers loaded into vans for a day at Halawa Valley. Had we known
that was on the itinerary we would not have paid for Doreen to take us there. Today we had a
choice of an extreme hike or a cultural experience. Hiking through mud,rocks, and water didn't
appeal to us so we sat through the lecture and poi demo. We tasted some traditional foods
and can say they didn't appeal to me. Sometimes new tastes are good but not always.

For dinner we piled into vans to go to a museum where another cultural experience awaited.
There was traditional music, hula, no typical Hawaiian food. The first two were great but again
the food was not something that I would want to eat on a regular basis.

27 November Monday— Crossing from Molokai to Lanai was rough. The engines started at
0315. It was too choppy for yoga at 0700 but we did squeeze a short session later. Most of
the passengers went snorkeling which gave me quiet time to read and nap. After lunch we
road skiffs in the Lanai City where walked around before going for a hike up Lanai Lookout to
Sweetheart Rock.

While walking around I saw a different bird. Turned out the beautiful creature is a zebra finch.
Which were introduced as pets. It seems like there are more introduced flora and fauna than
native.

28 November Tuesday—Got a full session of yoga in. I really appreciate these sessions
because otherwise I spend most of the time siting. After breakfast was a snorkel session.. I
rode on he skiff and watched. We saw several green sea turtles. Before lunch some of the
folks jumped off the boat to swim and paddle on boards. All that was took place right outside
our cabin which is all the way astern. I had wanted to get a short nap.

Lunch was a fish taco, then a short rest and into Lahaina where we walked looking for
someone to repair Roger’s glasses. I located an optometrist on my phone after trying the
sunglass hut. We found one and off we went to tour to see the rest of town. This was the
most congested we have seen. One couple left the boat because she wasn't feeling well.

29 November Wednesday— It was rather rough this morning but we were able to get a thirty
minute chair yoga session. On a skiff tour we first heard through a hydrophone and then saw
humpback whales. Unfortunately eye were at a distance, too far for pictures . After lunch
there were a few other distant sightings as we cruised the Hawaiian National Humpback Whale
Marine Sanctuary. I was able to see a white tailed tropic bird that was flying next to the boat.
Otherwise it was a relatively quiet afternoon which gave me time to read “John Muir and the Ice
that Started a Fire”. Very interesting and a continuation of what I have read about him and his
1000 Mile Walk to the Gulf. The political commentary from100+ years ago is exactly what we
have today. So sad.

30 November Thursday— It was a rough crossing to Hawai’i form Maui for about six hours. So
far I have avoided getting sea sick.

Today started with a yoga session. Found out later that is the last one of the trip. Afterward
was another skiff tour where we saw some spinner dolphins and some fish that skim across the
water when chased. There were too many on the skiff and it was difficult to get good photos
but I did manage a couple of the spinners. For the afternoon activity w cruised looking for wild
life. There were some beak whales and a manta ray.

I finished the book. We had a briefing about discounts for future trips and I am thinking about
it. There are really only two that interest me at this point, Cabo and Panama. I have tomorrow
to make up my mind.

For some reason I have been a little depressed which is very out of character for me while on a
boat. I think it has to do with what is happening in Congress with the tax bill.

After an early light supper most of the passengers went for a snorkel with manta rays. The
pre-departure Briefing made it sound like fun. The only time I wished I snorkeled. The other
passengers have been a good group to chat with. It is great to se ho many people are
spending their time on experiences, especially the younger ones. It is such a different mindset
than when I was their ages. I am also learning what I happening to people going to college to
be teachers. Instead of spending their time in classrooms they are out in nature teaching and
adding to their own knowledge. Ryan would benefit from something like this if he could stay
clean. He has been on my mind a lot, too.

1 December Friday— last day on boat was full. We went for a long Zodiac ride to Pohue Bay
where there is some excellent snorkeling. N the way we saw a small pod of bottle-nosed
dolphins that included a baby. They stayed next to the boat for a while. As we were leaving
the bay to come back to the boat a group of spinner dolphins gave us a show . I got a really
good shot of one. A quick lunch and we were off to town for a quick tour and then back for a
shower before our promised massages. After the bumpy ride, the massage felt good. It would
have been nice if it were longer. Roger even went for a massage, his first ever.

Part of the evening’s activities was a couple “talking story” and doing the hula. It was the same
story that we had heard from the others on this trip.

2 December Saturday—There was a really nice sunrise. We disembarked, road the bus to the
airport and got our rental. We were easily persuaded to upgrade to a Jeep Wrangler which
turned well later as we were exploring on some roads that were reminiscent of Africa. One of
the stops on the way to Volcanos NP was at the southern most point in US. It was about 1700
by time we got settled into our cabin at KMC. The weather is too much like Seattle and Alaska,
cool and dreary. The cabin is basic but will serve us just fine.

We met Doug and Susan for a very enjoyable dinner at Volcano House.

3 December Sunday— The weather was cooperative today with sun and cool temperatures. It
was windy especially out in the open areas around the craters. Going to Jagger museum to
see the lava at night was bone chilling but pretty. This afternoon we drove down Chain of
Craters Road stopping at several and taking hikes that added up to close to five miles of
walking. That included going through a lava tube.

A nine mile drive got us to Hilina Pali through lava fields on a very narrow one lane road that
had a good surface. Only two vehicles passed us going in each direction. By time we got
through with that it was too late to do anything else except drive to the of the road and turn
around. We did see a few other things that we want to do but we can go back another day.

4 December Monday— With no schedule to meet, we slept in and didn't get started until 1000.
As we left the camp, there were two nenes on the lawn. The road took us to Kanapala where it
ends and if you want to continue, you need to rent a bike, ride for a couple of miles then walk
out further on the lava rocks to see the most recent flows. We turned around and came back
up skirting the coast for a scenic drive that looped back to Lava Tree SP where we strolled
looking at the vegetation and the lava formations that are a result of lava wrapping around tres
as it flows. The trees eventually die but the lava remains and other trees eventually grow in
their place.

Driving through Hilo we ended up eating lunch in a mall because we weren't familiar with area.
Just north of Hilo along a scenic route is the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden and we spent a
couple of hours strolling through. It is filled with dozens of varieties of orchids, heliconias,
bromeliads, gingers, ferns, anthuriums, etc. I also saw a gold dust gecko and a tiny
hummingbird moth.

That was a good build up to our evening adventure to Muana Kea. I drove up in our Jeep. Not
bad for a flat lander. Coming down we weren't too sure how the brakes were holding up, but
we did okay. On the way up we were concerned that we wouldn't see anything because of a
cloud we had to drive through. At about 6000 ft, we were above the cloud and everything
opened up to a clear sky. We got to see the sunset at various elevations.

A lot of driving but we know we will never be back so true to form we are trying to squeeze as
much in as possible.

5 December Tues — Laundry day. We got a good walk in while waiting for the clothes. The
twenty miles to the end of Chain of Craters Road went smoothly with a couple of stops at
overlooks. Once we got to the end we ate the sandwiches we had bought on base before
walking the the palm grove by the ocean on the lava. It was planted in 1960s but most was
destroyed by lava flow. On the way back out we hiked the petroglyphs trail. It is only .7 miles
one way but it is a bit treacherous walking over the lava flow and it was warm. The breeze
made it tolerable but I was worn out when we got back to the car.

Our lunch sandwiches were so big they sufficed for dinner, too.

6 December Wednesday— This was a stick close to home day. It was a bit chilly,too. The vent
trail and the sulphuric walk were just what I needed and I ended with about four miles in for the
day. We had lunch in Volcano House. They are expensive but I guess you pay for the view of
Kilauea. I stopped in the Art Center where they had some quality work in various media.

7 December Thursday— Up and out by 0900 for the drive to Kailua Kona. The first stop was
the rain Forest Zoo and Garden. It is a nice place but a bit depressing seeing animals cooped
up . The two tigers were in a small enclosure and kept pacing. Not sure why they weren't out
in the bigger area. The primates and large birds didn't seem very happy either.

From there we went to Akaka Falls but opted to take a quick photo instead of hiking down and
back. There was a little deli in konaka (?) that we stopped for lunch. A detour to a State Park
revealed a terrific view of crashing waves against tall lava structures.

The end of the road was at Wiapio where the cliffs reminded me of Moher.

Once we arrived at Kina Reef, we were a bit confused about the checkin process but finally got
it figured out. It is a nice apartment with a view of the water and we saw the sunset from the
balcony. The wifi however doesn't work and we have to wait until morning to find out why.
That is a bit annoying since this place is costing a fortune.

For dinner we went to Habeneros and brought enough home for another meal.

8 December Friday— Yesterday I noticed a sign announcing water restrictions and instructing
everyone to reduce usage by 25%. This morning I watched as the pool deck was being hosed
down. I guess the restrictions don't apply in resorts. Speaking of signs, there are no billboards
. It is a great change from Florida and most of the US where the landscape is raped by signs
screaming at me when I drive.

9 December Saturday— The furthest point we had not visited was Polulo Outlook. So, we
drove two hours yo get there for our last day of touring on this island. After taking a look at the
trail and talking to a young couple who were exiting, we decided to skip the hike. Nearby was
the Hawaii Wildlife Center and we stopped for a brief introduction. Its focus is native birds.

From Honaka we started down the coast road stopping at places that caught our fancy.
Lapakahi SP Ala Kahakai. Pu ukohola Heiau Kaloko-Honokohau. . Our last stop was at the Old
Kona Airport SP to watch the sunset. I am impressed that the state had wherewithal to make a
park instead of turning the land over to developers. Kudos to them. When we got back close
to our home base, the traffic was a mess because there was a parade going down our street.
The Big Island Grill was on the way and we stopped for dinner with enough for tomorrow.

10 December Sunday — The first thing I saw this morning was a cruise ship anchored off
shore. There were also whales and spinner dolphins. In an effort to stay close and not do any
driving, we wandered toward the busy section of the strip. It was just a way to get up close to
what this town is about. There was a lot of debris around from the parade. I noticed a flyer
that had “Happy Holidays “ and wondered if the president would approve. There were five
boats ferrying passengers from the Carnival Miracle. The strip is basically like other tourist
towns. Lots of shops selling t shirts, other clothing, and jewelry. Plus, guides hawking tours.
One thing I haven't seen is cops. I am sure they must be here but they are well concealed.

It is a good thing I decided to check in for our flight tomorrow. Island Air went out of business
a month ago. Their phone doesn't get answered. Luckily, I was able to get seats on Hawaiian
Airlines. We will get to Oahu an hour earlier. Now I will have to figure out how to get my money
back.

In the evening we walked down to see the boat parade. After waiting thirty minutes we started
back and that is when they started the parade. There were only six or seven boats .

11 December Monday— A frustrating day to say the least. TSA tore my suitcase apart looking
for who knows what. Very annoying since I had it packed so well. I am glad that I never had a
job that made me aggravate people all day.

The woman at the Budget counter gave a ration of crap because we were checking in early
and she was supposed to charge me for an extra hour. Then there was the traffic in Honolulu,
the broken cable to the GPS, and not being able to find a place to eat.

We did make it to Diamond Head for what that was worth. It was too hot and we hadn't eaten
so we didn't do the hike up.

The Hale Koa is a large hi rise with a lot of people milling around. A young man recommended
the Steak Shack as a quick and cheap meal. We shared their special which served as both
lunch and dinner then walked around to explore. There is a Trump Tower across the street.
This hotel is part of a larger complex that includes a museum and a park/recreation area with a
monument to Hawaiians who were in WWII.

A luau was happening on the grounds and it made a lot of noise. Then fireworks started going
in a couple of places. I thought we were in a combat zone. It is so lovely being in a city. Not.

As much as I like seeing new places, the actual traveling is a killer. I have to remind myself how
lucky I am to have these problems.

12 December Tuesday— A stop at Best Buy for a new GPS cable started the day. From there
we drove to the North Shore stopping at different parks and view points along the way. Lunch
was at Waimea Valley where we could have gone for a walk but it started pouring while we
were eating so we just kep going. It took all day to make the loop and get back through rush
hour traffic. I was exhausted and kept wondering how people live in a place that takes an hour
to go ten miles.Here on Hale Koa the Pacific Fleet Navy Band was playing and we got there
just in time for the last song.

We had a quick pizza in Bibas then went to the comedy show featuring Bo Irvine. That was a
good distraction and something we don't do at home.

13 December Wednesday— For Our last day we toured Shangri La. An interesting house that
was built and decorated by Doris Duke with the largest collection of if Islamic art in US outside
of MOMA. It worked well as a museum but all the textures and patterns were a bit much for
my senses. When we got back to the museum we toured around their exhibits, had lunch,
finished the exhibits then drove the loop in 61 to the north and east. There were several good
lookouts and state beaches that were good photo ops, At Sandy Beach, a truck had taken the
turn to fast and flipped over.

Trying to find a gas station to top off the tank before turn in was very frustrating. The GPS kept
taking us to hotels that have EV charging stations. I finally stopped at a hotel and asked a bell
hop.

For dinner we attended the Magic in Paradise show with Mark Marishio. It was excellent. In
fact amazing.

Big resorts like this are convenient because they have everything right here. Unfortunately that
means that all the annoyances of crowds go with it. Tonight there is a private party below us
on the pavilion that is playing music too loud for my tastes.

14-15 December Thursday & Friday —. It took four airports, three planes, drive from Tampa,
and about twenty four hours to get from Honolulu to home. After getting through security
everything went smoothly in the terminals and during the flights. A welcome experience after
our return from Dublin.