There were 13 tours offered through shore excursions. They ran from $60 to $200. And we have done most of them, with the exception of the helicopter ride over Kilauea. So today, we were on our own to explore for the day.
As there was a complimentary shuttle offered by the local Walmart, we joined the crowd to make a morning run there. You all may laugh, but we bet half of the ship's passengers and crew were there. Something we noticed today was the fact that lots of folks were sneezing and coughing, victims of the cold bug onboard. And once inside the huge store, you could hear them coughing in every corner of the building. Hope they find some cold meds here to help them back to good health…..soon. Anyway, with a ride there and back, lots of supplies can be purchased there. We found about everything we needed, then went back to the ship.
The weather was a mixed bag today. The bus driver told everyone that it had rained heavily yesterday, all day, and we lucked out that today was just showers. We got lucky, and happened to miss the passing clouds that did soak some folks. All we needed were out new umbrellas and off we went for a long walk towards downtown Hilo.
Following the highway from the cruise terminal, we walked towards Reeds Bay. This entire area has the look of the 50's and 60's. It was around 12:30pm, so we decided to stop at Ponds Café and have lunch. Not a fancy restaurant, it has the best burgers, and as we discovered today, delicious homemade taquitos. The café is literally built over a pond that houses huge koi carp. You can eat lunch and watch the fish swim under and around the café.
All onboard was 4:30pm, so we had to watch our time. Continuing on, we walked past several hotels on the shoreline until we got to Liliuokalani Gardens, where we strolled through 30 acres of Hawaiian and oriental plantings. There are meandering walkways, pagodas, ponds, and cement bridges. We kept a lookout for mongooses, but saw none today. Last October, they were everywhere under the bushes and running across the grassy fields. We did see some rare Nene geese, native to the islands, and a few yellow warblers, we believe.
Across the road, we crossed over another foot bridge to Coconut Island (Moku Ola). As well as a great place to view downtown Hilo and the bay, it is a popular place for locals to swim and fish. With public restrooms and benches, many families come here for picnics. Last fall, this place was solid people, while today, there was a handful of us tourists. Of course, it was a school day, and the weather was significantly cooler.
Time to start back, we stopped at a roadside shop that sold Drumsticks. It has become a tradition for us to enjoy the treat while walking back to the ship. Forget the gourmet food, these nut-covered ice cream cones are the best. We noticed that the roadside had huge puddles that were not there on our way over earlier. Guess it rained here, and stayed dry just a couple of miles away.
Security was top-notch at the pier. Even on the bus, a security guard can on the coach to look at each and everyone's room key and government photo ID. Walking through the terminal building, we showed the ID again, then had our bags and purses checked. Each one of us had to go through the xray door frame. Up until today, all liquor was being collected at these check points. However, one man, who had bought boxed wine, and disposed of the cardboard boxes, went right through the check. He proceeded on the ship with four bladders of white wine (gallon size), and was not stopped. So much for their new rules.
We did not have much time to work on photos until it was time for the promised complimentary sail away. Remember this did not occur as was written for the San Diego sail away. Drinks were not complimentary, and many folks complained loudly, we understand. Today the Lido Pool area was set up with tables and tents, serving anything you wanted for one full hour. Artisan-style snacks (whatever those are), were passed among the party-goers. The place was wall-to-wall people. As we usually do, we went to deck nine to get some photos. The Amsterdam Orchestra played very loud music , but got shut down when a sudden downpour drowned their stage and instruments. The retractable glass roof was mostly closed, but opened enough to cause some damage.
We stayed out back for the "real" sail out of the harbor and bay, and were soon joined by Barb, Scoop, and Bill & Leta. By now, showers were falling here , there, and everywhere, with a rainbow in between. We learned that Hilo is among the wettest city in the world. Too many clouds for a sunset, we left by 6pm.
Dinnertime menu offered few good items for us. The lamb was unusual, almost like a stew meat texture. One of us opted for French onion soup and a chicken Caesar salad. Perfect after such a nice and filling lunch in town.
Ukebox was back with an all new show in the Queen's Lounge tonight. They really are a talented group of young fellows with tons of energy.
Tomorrow, the Captain said we would have a sunny day in Honolulu with temps in the 80's. Hope he is right.
Bill & Mary Ann
Docked in Hilo Harbor
Container port
Cloudy, but chance of rain
Mauna Kea - elevation 13,796 feet
Downtown Hilo
Dramatic clouds
Tender boats are kept in tip-top condition and tested regularly
Hilo Bay
The cruise terminal
Not the prettiest of piers
Welcome is sincere
Huge building
Parking lot of the pier terminal
We were the only cruise ship here today
One of many rainbows we would see today
Roberts of Hawaii – the Walmart bus today
Flags fly high
Wet roads from isolated showers
At least it was cooler today
Parking at Walmart
A store with a little of everything
Line of HAL shoppers
Hilo's cruise terminal
Tour options outside the terminal
The first park we came across
Goes to Reeds Bay
Hidden cove at Reeds Bay
Mangrove trees shed leaves this time of year
Obviously, the airport is nearby
Scenic
Common water bird
Park monument
The local café…….quite good food
Ponds – on the water's edge
Built over a koi pond
Entrance
Clever menu
Everything is homemade
Koi carp
Tables with a view
No predators here
They do well
Years ago, we raised these for a hobby
Hardy fish
Seen in most Asian garden ponds
The best taquitos ever
Mushroom, onion, bacon cheeseburger
Pair of ducks hidden in the grass
Clean and clear waters
Passing squalls
Pair of Hawaiian geese
Called "nene" locally
Mate for life
Swaying palms
Picnic area
Beach front is minimal
Public park
The road to the gardens
Hotel logo
Reeds Bay Hotel
Uncle Billy's General Store
Newer hotel
Liliuokalani Gardens (say that 10 times fast)
Massive native tree
Garden statues
Tropical growth
Shrines
Meandering paths
Pagoda
Footbridge
Follow the path
Bill in the garden
Looking for mongoose
Well-kept grounds
Footbridge to Coconut Island
View of Hilo Bay
Downtown Hilo fairly close
Fishing for the day
Volcanic shoreline
Shrine
Feeding the doves
Iconic decorations
30 acres of gardens
Ponds and greens
Killdeer birds blend in well
