We have finally reached our last port in Hawaii…..Hilo located on the big island of Hawaii. This island is about the size of Connecticut and has 10 climate zones. To circle the island in a car, you can drive 300 miles. This island is known for its three volcanoes….Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, which is still active. Even more famous is Kilauea located in Volcanoes National Park. Mauna Kea is 13,796 feet in elevation and is home to the Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii. There is a planetarium and exhibition hall with a dome for a 3-D theater. In the winter, it is not uncommon to see snow on the top of this mountain. Mauna Loa is the world's largest active volcano. Measured from its sea base, it is 30,080 feet in elevation. Since 1832, it has erupted more than 39 times.
One of us was up early enough to catch a very nice sunrise. Usually coming into the port of Hilo, it is always cloudy and rainy. There were a lot of scattered clouds this morning, but not enough to block the rising sun.
There were 15 shore excursions today, four of which involved Volcanoes National Park with a drive to see the volcano. Some were combined with other sights and they ran from $120 for 4 ½ hours to $290 for 6 ½ hours. Waterfalls are a must-see so trips to these ran $270 for 7 hours with a picnic lunch to $180 for 4 hours. Hilo's exclusive farm to glass experience was wine tasting at Ola Brewing Company for $260 and 4 hours. There was a trip to the zoo and a stop at a black sand beach for $240 for 7 hours. A picnic lunch was included. We have done most of these side trips over the years and did enjoy them. However today, we were on our own.
In the old days (not too long ago), there was a complimentary shuttle bus to Walmart and the Prince Kuhio Plaza. The crew and guests all liked this perk. However, for some unknown reason, the bus has stopped running, and if you wish to go there, an Uber or taxi is the best way to go. There was a very long line of folks waiting for the free shuttle to Hilo's Farmers Market, which is in the opposite direction.
We left the ship around 11:30am under very nice partly sunny, partly cloudy skies. Most every time we have visited here, it rains suddenly. So even though the forecast was for 5% rain, we packed the umbrellas. And did it rain? Of course not. The temperature was in the mid eighties with somewhat of a breeze blowing. It was a long hike to reach the Ice Pond where Pond's Hilo is located, a favorite diner of the locals. We would come back here later, since we noticed every seat was full. We gave the kids jumping from the railing into the shallow pond a wide path, because their purpose in life is to drown unsuspecting people that pass by. Knowing this, we did avoid getting wet.
Continuing up the road, we walked through Reed's Park where several families were picnicking and swimming in the cold waters of the bay. This time of the school year must be a break time, since too many kids were not in school. Actually, we noticed this in all of the Hawaiian ports. Strolling along Banyan Drive, we passed under massive banyan trees that had been planted back in the 1930's. Many had plaques from the people that donated the trees. We passed by Reeds Bay Resort, Bay View Banyan, and the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. We think it was the old Uncle Billy's Hilo Bay Hotel that was being demolished. A new project is planned for that property.
We followed the main road to Lili' uokalani Park and Gardens. Dedicated in 1917, this 25 acre property has Japanese gardens, arching bridges, fishponds and pagodas. It is a scenic setting with the mountain views. We kept our eyes peeled for sightings of mongoose, but did not see one today. There is a series of volcanic rocks where these little critters live. But after sitting on a close-by marble bench, we saw no movement at all. What we did see were three Nene geese, the state's bird. Now we wonder if the mongoose have been removed to protect these birds and their nests? The mongoose were imported to rid the island of rats, but they soon discovered that the mongoose is a day animal, while the rats operated during the night. The experiment did not work, but the mongoose survived. We can see where they may be a threat to the already endangered Nene geese.
After a stroll through the park, we made our way to Coconut Island or as the locals call it - Moku Ola. There has been a recent effort to restore the native names to the island's highlights. This is one of them. Older kids were showing off here too. At the end of the island, is an old monument where the kids climb to the top level, and jump making the biggest splash they can. Even the girls do this, and we know it has got to hurt when they do the belly flops.
From here we made our way back to the restaurant at the Ice Pond and arrived by 2pm. There were a few tables left by a window, and we took one with a view of the performing local kids as they continued to get people wet. The first thing they serve here is ice water, which we really appreciated. It had been a warm and humid walk today. Then we ordered two Kona Big Wave draft beers, followed by a shared cheeseburger with extra fries. They really specialize in fish dishes, but burgers seem to make us both happy. We did add a small dessert of a fudge brownie covered with a rich vanilla ice cream. And it was all drizzled with chocolate sauce and topped with a maraschino cherry. Good thing it was a lot smaller than yesterday's surprise cookie. The wait staff was setting up their tables for the dinner service by the time we left.
Taking our time, we hiked back to the ship and arrived by 4:30pm. The dock area is being remodeled and re-paved, so they have directed the foot traffic down the opposite side and away from the traffic of buses and taxis. The gate checker asked to see both our room keys and our drivers licenses. Their security check in every port has been very extensive. We had to put our stuff and ourselves through the xray in the terminal, then had to do it again on the ship. Very strange we thought. By the way, for the first time we can recall, the ship was docked starboard side. Actually this worked out well since we had the better view for the rest of the afternoon.
Catching up on research and photos, we waited for a super sunset. But it never happened. The sun dipped behind the dark clouds that hovered over the slopes of Mauna Kea, then disappeared leaving a small bit of color in the opposite clouds. At least the sunrise was good.
The ship left the port around 6pm, escorted by a tugboat, which left the scene before we exited the bulkhead. By then, it was difficult getting many good photos as darkness was setting in quickly. With a few toots of the ship's horn, we were off for a new destination of Fanning Island in a few days. According to the Captain's talk, we will travel 1009 nautical miles in a southwest direction to reach Fanning Island in a few days. He expected the temperature to remain in the low 80's and a sea swell of 2 meters or six feet.
Had we taken the time earlier, we would have noticed that tonight's dining room menu wasn't the best. There were a few items to order for starters such as a smoked chicken broth soup, a crab appetizer and Caesar salads. We both chose the leg of lamb entrée, but with mashed potatoes only on the plate. Both entrees came with buttered roasted squash (OK), but also with a sweet salsa that was meant for the fish dish. Covering the mashed potatoes was a pile of disgusting cooked kale, not a favorite of ours. Not even close. Someone in the kitchen must have thought they were doing us a favor with all the embellishments, but we had ordered a simple dinner. Our waiter Sarif felt bad, but we explained that the extras could be eliminated in the future. He agreed and promised to order that way from now on. Dessert was one little scoop of coffee fudge ice cream and a small slice of blueberry cheesecake. At least the meal ended on a sweet note.
The entertainer tonight was Greg Rodman, with a guitar on the edge show. He must have joined the ship recently, which is nice to have fresh entertainment. The movie Hairspray was in the Wajang as well.
Bill & Mary Ann
