HAWAI’I - KAHULUI

The ship sailed into Hawai’i this morning to the first of two ports of call in these islands. Our original itinerary was for the first port to be Honolulu but this was changed prior to our departure and we are now sitting in the port of Kahului, on the island of Maui. The reasons for the change were given as congestion at Honolulu. The only downside for me was that because of this we could not get to visit Pearl Harbour. Still, thems the breaks! We stay for the day and then sail overnight to Hilo, on the main island.

We arrived early morning and this time we had no problems with customs and the ship was cleared for disembarking at 8.30 am.

We had a tour planned through Cunard but half an hour before we were due to start we were advised that the coach company had let them down so – no tour!

Not that that was any great problem we got a full refund for the tour and made our own way round the island. We found that the local busses charged just US$4-00 for an all-day hop-on, hop-off so we just did our own thing.

We took a stroll into the main town center, about a 20 minute walk and looked round the local shops before jumping on the bus to see where it took us.

On the walk into town we spotted this handy supermarket; great place if you have forgotten something at the last minute!

We jumped off the bus at a nearby beach and stayed for a couple of hours. The busses ran every hour so no problem there.

The beach itself was really pretty but unfortunately the water was very cold so we didn’t actually get to swim. (We’ve been spoiled by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean in Perth)!

We had a small lunch from a café over the road. Mine was a local dish of tropical style chicken in pineapple with coconut rice.

As for desert; don’t even go there! These babies should be illegal, they were so good. Shaves ice with whatever flavour you want on a bed of the best ice-cream I’ve ever had! I wanna go back for more!!!

After our pig-out it was time for a beach snooze before getting back on the bus for a further look around the island.

The beaches here are beautiful and so peaceful. On our trip around the place it soon became apparent that Maui is essentially just one big beach and it matters not where one jumps off the bus; the beach is at your feet.

All too soon it was time to make our way back to the ship to get ready for dinner and our onward sailing to Hilo!