Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Hawaiian Cruise

After several months of detailed planning, this trip played out just as it was scripted.  Rather than a 10 hr. flight from ATL, we chose San Diego as an overnight stop to take a break both going to and coming from Honolulu.  We also added one day before and after the cruise to tour in and around Honolulu.  Norwegian's "Pride of America" proved to be a very effective way to visit O'ahu, Maui, Hawaii (Hilo, Kona), Kaua'i  all in seven days.  Island-hopping was made easy with the ship moving us while we slept.  The ship's sightseeing detour to view the Na Pali Coast was a special treat.  We also decided to pick up (5) rental cars, use our GPS and explore at our own pace rather than take part in the much-too-structured organized tours that were offered.  We were never lost.....just exploring areas that others did not get to see!
 
 
 
 
Overnight stop in San Diego-A few residents own boats!
 
 
 
San Diego from atop the Coronado Bay Bridge
 
 
 
 
Our evening walk on Waikiki Beach
 
 
 
The remains of the USS Arizona at the Memorial
 
 
 
Drops of oil as they rise to the surface
 
 
 
 
Diamond Head and Downtown Honolulu from the Punchbowl National Cemetary
 
 
 
 
Unimproved portion of "Highway to Hana"

 
 
 
Rocky shoreline along the Hana Highway

 
 
 
 
Beautiful beach along Maui Highway
 
 
 
 
Lava at Volcano National Park
 
 
 
 
Spouting Horn Blowhole
 
 
 
 
Shipwreck Beach




Cruising along the Na Pali Coast, Kaua'i
(The mountains are real, not  a photographer's canvas background!) 
 


Along the North Shore of Oahu




Presentation of pig at Luau




Luau at Polynesian Cultural Center





Wiamea Canyon
(Scenes from Jurassic Park were filmed here)
 
 
 
 
 Wailua Falls

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