Tropical Travel

I have been thinking on what travel adventure I should write about next.  I have spent a lot of time researching about tropical vacations lately as I am planning a trip to Tahiti in April of 2014. I have been to Tahiti before,  However it has been about 12 years, so I will wait until I travel there in 2014 before I blog about it for you. 

I have also been to the Virgin Islands a couple of times, Hawaii & Phuket, Thailand.  But I would like to share with you today my trip to Hawaii as we really enjoyed ourselves immensely and I think the way we planned it worked out great.  So if you are thinking of Hawaii, you might consider the travel plan we put together.

I had never been to Hawaii before.  CJS had, but it had been a long time, more than 20 years, so it would be almost like a brand new adventure for her.  We had 12 days and I wanted to see as much as we could, get plenty of time in for snorkeling and see all the top sites.  AND I wanted to see as many Islands as I could.  Not too demanding of me huh?  After investigating a few different options, CJS came up with the perfect idea -- we need a floating hotel! -- one that would take us to many islands.  Yes, you got it, we went on a cruise ship!  However we tagged on two days on either end and this made the time spent on Oahu perfect.

First we had to do some research on cruises.  What we discovered is that there is only one cruise ship that can sail out of Honolulu and then sail only in the islands and return you to Honolulu.  This is Norwegian's Pride of America.  This cruise ship is the only one that is registered in the USA and has a US crew.  Therefore it gets this special privilege of sailing the islands without having to stop at one international port. Check it out for yourself.  Most cruises will start in LA, Long Beach or San Diego, make a stop in Mexico, then head for Hawaii.  This is a large waste of your time, unless you like to be at sea for several days.  (Which some people love, but not me LOL)  

Here is the 4-1-1 on the Pride of America:

• Passenger Capacity: 2,138 (double occupancy)
• Crew: 940

• 

  this is the route the ship takes starting in Honolulu

  • 8 complimentary dining options, from three-course dining to endless buffets with action stations.
  • Entertainment day & night. stage shows, comedian, dance clubs, bars & lounges, piano bars and live music.
  • Fitness center, sports court, pools, and hot tubs.
  • Youth programs for children ages 3-17.
  •  Room steward and complementary room service.
  • Ports of Call: Honolulu; Maui (Kahului); Hilo; Kona; Kauai
• 
  
Now I am getting a little bit ahead of myself.  Let me tell you about our first two days on land in Hawaii before we boarded the Pride of America. 

For our first two days we stayed at the Edition. (one night and two days actually)  At the time it was part of the Marriott Hotel family, but I am not sure it is any longer.  Anyway, we got a great room there.  

Checking in - interesting front desk!

We arrived in the afternoon, heading straight to the hotel to check in.  What a lovely, unique hotel.  Here are a few pictures of the Edition.  In this case, pictures really do tell the story of this attractive, modern hotel.

Behind the desk close up

Our room

Room decor

And the view from our room...stunning

After checking in, we took a stroll around town, had to stop an pick up a few necessities at the near by mall.  One of the stops we made along our way was the Hilton Hawaiian Village.  It is worth taking a stroll through, the hotel is a city in to itself.  It's like 5 large hotels!  You have to see it to believe it. 

You have probably seen this hotel if you watch Hawaii 5-0.  They go there often on this show, LOL

We walked around quite a bit and took in the area around Waikiki Beach.  It is a beautiful place to stroll and people watch.  

After dinner, we headed back to the hotel.  We enjoyed spectacular fireworks from our room before going to bed.  We kind of thought the fireworks were just for us, as a welcome to Hawaii, but found out later that they have fireworks most nights, oh well, we enjoyed them just the same.

Day 2 it was up and out of the hotel and over to Diamond Head.  I am sure you have heard of Diamond Head - it is a National Park that is Hawaii's most recognized landmark.  Diamond Head is a huge area and very well known for its hiking trails.  The hike is steep and can be strenuous, as you are climbing the whole way - a little less than a mile, but 560 feet up. There are many switchbacks.  There is a trail and a concrete walk way part way up the trail.  Then you come to the steep stairs, when you get to the top, you will head through a 225 foot tunnel.  On the summit, there is the old Fire Control Station built in 1911.  You have to climb through this to get out on to the walk way.  Everyone helps everyone else through this part.  Unless you are young and agile (which I am neither) this is not easy to climb out of. Once you make it to the top, you will see it is worth it.  The stunning postcard view of the shoreline is a must see site.  

See what I mean?  Stunning.  I could have put up 20 pictures from the summit, but it still would not capture how truly beautiful it is.  

After hiking Diamond Head and making are way down again, we were tired and decided some down time at the Edition pool was needed.  We had stored our luggage before we left the hotel, but had our suits handy in our carry on.  We grabbed our stuff, changed and went an hung out at the pool until it was time to board the ship.  Here are some pictures of the pool area at the hotel.  It was the perfect place to relax a little, catch some sun and get in to the Hawaiian 'aloha' mood.  

These to pictures are of the restaurant and bar seating area by the pool and this is where the very famous Coconut Mojito was discovered!  If you've been reading my blog, you have seen this picture...

The lovely green drink in my hand is the Coconut Mojito.  I am not sure of what all they put in this drink, it was blended, very tasty and potent!  Drop by the pool bar and try it for yourself!

While in Honolulu:

Do This:    Hike Diamond Head

Go to:       The Hilton Hawaiian Village 

Drink this: Coconut Mojito

Aloha until next time when we sail for Maui!

Travel Safe!