After five months we handed in our camper van. We created many memories during this time and experienced some adventures. Now we board a cruise ship and sail across the Pacific with the goal of reaching Sydney. 34 days full of excitement and relaxation await us.
Not cooking for ourselves, planning the route for the next day, and figuring out where we can sleep at night feels like a vacation. 😁
During the last five days at sea, we explored the ship, indulged in culinary delights, and explored the sports and game corners.
Now we have land in sight again and first visit Hawaii and Maui.
14.10.2022 ●Honolulu● O'ahuWe already arrived in Honolulu last night. We drive along the coast and marvel at the high mountains. The volcano crater stands out in the foreground. Next to it, we see Waikiki Beach with its many high-rise buildings in the background. The ship parks right next to the Aloha Tower, which is illuminated in colorful lights at night. Today we explore the island with a rental car. The way to the rental station leads us past colorful paintings on house walls. Everything is going smoothly and we start the hike to the volcano crater. Once we arrive there, the parking situation is a bit difficult, and it continues when entering the park. We have to register online to enter the state park. With poor internet reception, this is a mammoth task. But we did it and can now start our hike to the edge of the crater. The ascent is steep and a challenge in the heat. Every drop of sweat was worth it for this stunning view. We get a 360-degree view of the ocean, the beaches, the city, and the mountains. On the way back down, we replenish our water reserves. We are not used to the humid subtropical climate.
We continue along the east coast. A beautiful route takes us past tall and steep mountains covered in green plants. On the other side of the road, we drive past dream beaches. We have never seen such dense plant diversity.
We stop at a cultural center where there are many souvenirs and food stands.
Then we stop at various beaches. One is more beautiful than the other. In one, mountains rise out of the water. In another, there are waves several meters high. And at the last one, there are even turtles🐢. Our first turtle we discover here on the island. After reaching the northernmost point of the island, we drive back to the port through the interior of the country. We drive through coffee and pineapple plantations.🍍Actually, we wanted to visit Pearl Harbor as a tourist highlight on the way back. But the way there turned out to be more difficult than expected. Suddenly we are on military grounds and are not greeted so friendly. The soldiers let us turn around without much effort. Okay, let's collect ourselves briefly after the shock and then back to the ship. Unfortunately, this point of interest did not work out to our disappointment.
Nevertheless, a beautiful and exciting day comes to an end and we are curious about what the next islands have to offer.
15.10.2022 ●Kahului● Maui
We make a detour to Maui and have a day at the beach in Kahului. With our bathing suits in our luggage, we leave the ship. To leave the pier, we navigate through a maze of barbed wire fences. Then we simply follow a road that is not very attractive. When we arrive at the beach, we are initially the only ones there.
We find a spot where we are protected from the high waves, using stones in the water as breakwaters. A swing on a tree invites us to swing. Suddenly, we discover turtles in the water. As we watch them, we see more turtles lying on the sand. One even comes running out of the waves. Such beautiful animals. We feel like we are in paradise and enjoy the moment on the beach and in the water with the turtles. 16.10.2022 ●Kona● Big Island
In Kona, we have something very special planned, we are going underwater with a submarine.
We are taken to the submarine on a small tender and climb down into the interior via a ladder.
Full of excitement, we start our dive. At the seafloor, we discover the coral reef with many colorful fish. We pass an old shipwreck where even whitetip reef sharks are hiding. Normally they sleep somewhere in the dark during the day and then go hunting at night. After the dive, we go to the small beach at the harbor. Even Jessie finally dares to go into the water completely when there are only small waves. That's fun.
Back on the ship, we end the day with Hawaiian dances, customs, and food.
17.10.2022 ●Hilo● Big Island
While we are still having breakfast, Jens is the first to head to the mainland. Because we want to explore the surroundings with a rental car. Jens picks up the car at Hilo Airport and we meet outside the port. Everything goes smoothly and we start with the car to Kīlauea, an active volcano on the island. After 30 minutes and more than 1,000 meters of altitude, we reach the visitor center and plan our sightseeing tour. There are many lookouts where we can stop and look into the crater.
We are amazed by the size and activity of the volcano. Smoke is coming out of the ground here and there. A spectacular show!
We take a short hike away from the crater and towards smoking bushes and rocks. The steam is hot and smells like sulfur. Extreme caution is required here.
We unfortunately do not see red lava flowing into the sea as there is no direct access there. Our ship passed by this volcano last night. From an estimated distance of 30km, we tried to spot the lava. But apart from a red glow on the horizon, we didn't see anything. After the spectacular experience, we go back in the other direction from the harbor. We drive to Akaka Waterfall.
This waterfall is located in the middle of a rainforest. We are fascinated by the variety of plants, the size of the trees, and the different colorful flowers.
In the background, we can already hear the rushing water. There is a second waterfall hidden behind thick trees.
In the next bend, we then catch sight of the gigantic 135-meter-high Akaka Waterfall.
It is an awe-inspiring and varied day that comes to an end.
