All the islands seem a little different - one has active volcanoes, the other very wet, the other full of sunshine etc. On Hawaii (it seems funny that the state of Hawaii also has an island called Hawaii) or the Big Island in Hilo it is much wetter and the weather is more changeable. Before I came I was advised to bring an umbrella and a rain mack.
After not having very exciting last few days, I decided to book myself onto a tour, so that I could see some of the sights. But yet again I was disappointed. I think I should have really taken a helicopter ride because I wanted to see the volcano up close with molten lava and the tour I eventually did only took me to a crater with steam permeating. I think Mother Nature has played a nasty trick on me.
Even during the evening when cruising pass the volcano it was dead as a door nail, no colour no rumbling no nothing. I am so disappointed. All this money to see steam....
Feb 23, 2009 12:00 AMPart 2.....
Being in paradise and not knowing what to do is my new dilema. The idea of cycling down a volcano in the sounded like a really good idea; but as this holiday was more about resting then physical activity, I had to tie my hands behind my back so that I wouldn't sign up for this activity. I love cycling so much that this is probably something that I will regret for the rest of my life, as teh pictures of the area look just perfect. I was going to use Haleakala Bike Company as it was recommended, but all plans changed so the best way to experience paradise was on the beach or in a hot tub.
Btw - the picture used isn't mine.
Feb 23, 2009 12:00 AMCycle or not to cycle, that is the question?
I woke up this morning with the passion to head for the volcano in Haleakala National Park and cycle down. But by the time I hit the breakfast buffet, the thoughts just dwindled away. I'm so easily influenced....
Instead I headed to Wal-Mart to get a few supplies. I have just figured out that at each port, the big stores on the islands provide a free bus shuttle to their store - how smart, for a captured audience. So I took a three minute bus ride up the side of a dormant volcano and ended up in Wal-Mart and then Safeway.
They did however, have a great tacky souvenir shop and outside of the flea market I went to in Honolulu Wal-Mart were the cheapest.
This is exactly what I like when I travel, find you self in the same place you shop Monday to Friday - NOT!
But other than my choices - I really think Maui is a really lovely island and I would love to return in the future.
Feb 22, 2009 12:00 AMMaui Gold!
I’m told that this refers to their pineapple, but it could also refer to the sandy beaches that are available on Maui.
This place seems to be the play ground of the rich and famous, with activities of golf, the pristine beaches, you name it; you could probably do it in Maui. Maui is a prime spot for whale and dolphin watching, but I didn’t do it, snorkelling, canoe/kayaking, submarine tours, fishing, and of course surfing; however I didn’t do anything but end up on a beach somewhere, before heading to Wal-Mart.
Feb 21, 2009 12:00 AMStepping back into history
The day before I left Tobago, Pearl Harbour with Ben Afleck was on TV, and I watched the attached. That kind of set the scene for the day; I headed to Pearl Harbour to get a first hand view, and it was quite moving. I took the naval launch out to skeleton of the Arizona where over 1900 service men died in the attack on one battleship. As I stood watching over the ‘casket’ I saw the oil floating on the surface of the water and it was like coming full circle of where started in October and visiting Hiroshima.
Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AMOscar's Weekend
Ok my first trip for the year and yet again I feel very privileged.
I'm heading to Hawaii and have a layover in LA and this is only my second visit to the West coast of America. I've got five hours so I decide to head of Hollywood and take in the atmosphere of the Academy Awards. I got a bus from the airport - well two to La Brea and Hollywood Boulevard, and it was total chaos. The boulevard was blocked off to road traffic and there were so many different television companies there doing links, interviews and rehearsing for the big day. The excitement was magical and even though I had no plans of watching the event on TV I was so please to be in the middle of all the hype.
Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AMAhola, hang loose man, Aloha!
My first view of Honolulu was last night as the airport shuttle took me all over Waikiki Beach, visiting all the hotels. There is a number 19 bus (cost $2) that takes about an hour from the airport but they will not let you board with luggage. This shuttle turned out to be operated by one of the major Hawaiian tour companies – Robets Hawaii and cost around $15 return. But as you enter Waikiki the buildings get taller and the density of hotels increase. But it really seems like a happening place to be. I was so happy that I opted for a beach hotel and didn’t end up in the city.
After dropping my bags at the hotel, I went in search of dinner and the place was really buzzing. Quite a few of the shops were open including ABC Stores, which is probably on every street corner that offers souvenirs for sale as well as general supplies. I was really bad because in the end I didn’t fancy sitting in a restaurant so I ended up in Mickey Ds; sometimes it is nice to see the local various and this included a spam sandwich as well as Maui gold – pineapple.
Feb 07, 2009 12:00 AMWhen in paradise
I was initailly planning a four day vacation on Hawaii to celebrate a brithday, but a little birdie whispered to me that I should try cruising. Now I will try most things at least once, I thought I can't knock it untill I've tried it.
So now instead of spending 4 days I am spending 9 with seven being spent on the ship. The idea is to visit 4 of the main islands over the seven day. But it was recommend that I should spend some time out side of the cruise to really enjoy the islands.
Checking out some of the cruise websites, I noticed that people were flying in to Oahu then going on to another island ie maui, then flying back to Honolulu to set sail. I didn't have time before the cruise so I added on at day at the end to continue to explore Honolulu. (As it happens I wish I hadn't, becaust after the cruise I was ready to head back and for some reason spending time in Honolulu just appeared like if I was stalling.) I will be traveling with NCL and have read some nice blogs about people's experiences so I feel quietly confident that it will be a great journey. If all goes well, in a couple of years I will cruise the caribbean.
Feb 01, 2009 12:00 AMTwo weeks and counting
Hmmmm LA, proved too much for a man....
Well something like that.
Carnival in Trinidad is in two and a bit weeks and you would think that I would be here to enjoy the festivity, but alas I will be flying of to the good ole US of A. So instead of 'jumping up in a band' I will be seeing the sights of Hollywood again.
Jan 31, 2009 12:00 AMWhere in the world next?
I've been watching the Australian Open and it got me thinking of where in the world I should go this year. I'm a little undecided but thought Australia would be nice - but I can't get away until June which will be the beginning of their winter; so maybe that is out of the question.
Bearing in mind that last year I had some plans that I couldn't complete maybe I should put them back on the list for this year. However, with the economic conditions it may not happen, but here goes: USA, Russia, Thailand, Veitnam, Cambodia Brugee and Switzerland. But these are all subject to change. I hope things changes and I can get most of them done.
